An Introduction To Liposuction

By Author: Gaye Sougstad
Total Articles: 3
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Liposuction, also known lipoplatsty, fat modelling, lipo or liposculture suction lipectomy among other names, is a basic cosmetic operation that aims to remove fat from unwanted areas around the body. This can be anywhere from the stomach to the thighs, to the neck to the buttocks or even the arms or the back. This procedure is often used for clinical and medical reasons where patients become dangerously obese, but is also used now for cosmetic procedures which predictably has resulted in some opposition and controversy from those who feel the process is excessive for those who simply want to look different. Others feel it's a rapid way to improve self esteem and the life style that comes with that thereby making it a worthwhile operation.

Essentially the process sees the surgeon removing fat via a 'cannula' (a hollow tube) and an 'aspirator' (the suction device that sucks the fat through the tube. Cannulas are generally reusable (though obviously is subjected to rigorous cleaning and sterilisation) and are inserted into the patient the correct area. This tube then sucks the fat cells out of the body and pumps them into ...
... a container ready to be discarded. The fat cells are the cells in the body that store fat ready to be converted by the body into glucose and then ATP (andenosine triphosphate) for energy. They are created when the person eats more calories than they burn off as a 'back up supply'. The liposuction will then remove them from the layer just beneath the skin where they are stored.

Normally liposuction will involve a small amount of fluid (less than the volume of fat), or 'infusate', which will be injected while the fat is removed. Its purpose however is to help lessen bleeding and to minimise bruising among other effects. The solution is made of a combination of salt, which makes it saline like body fluids, anaesthic (lidocaine normally) to help control pain and adrenaline to contract the blood cells (thereby limiting blood loss) and can also help to remove the fat cells. This is called a wet liposuction.

Super-wet liposuction however uses the infusate much more so that it is about twice the volume of the fat being removed. This is a safer technique for the more 'high volume' liposuctions and can be used to better balance homeostasis and potential fluid overload. It takes about one to three hours and may require additional anaesthetic.

Other methods of liposuction include 'dry liposuction' which is simply liposuction used without any fluid injection though this is very rarely used these days; laser-assisted liposuction, which uses thermal energy (the laser) to help affect lipolysis.

Though claims have been made that as much as 50 pounds has been removed in one go (that's 3.6 stone or 22.7kg), this is not the normal procedure. In large quantities, the removal of fat can be dangerous and even life-threatening and anything over 8.5 pints or 5 litres becomes a risk. As such liposuction often involves multiple visits where the fat is removed gradually through repeat procedures. The safety will also depend on the health of the individual and a professional consultation will help determine whether it is safe for each patient.

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