What is and how is a liposuction performed?

1. What is and how is a liposuction performed? The liposuction or liposuction is a surgical procedure by which extracted fat accumulated in different parts of the body: chin, arms, breast, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees or ankles. At no time should it be thought that it is a treatment against obesity, but rather a technique to shape the body by removing excess adipose tissue and sometimes even reinjecting part of it in areas where it may be necessary. The liposuction procedure is carried out under local, epidural or general anesthesia, depending on the case, and consists of the insertion into adipose tissue of a special cannula or syringe connected to a vacuum machine that aspirates the fat from the treated area. It lasts between one and two hours and a lot of fluid is lost in it, which makes it necessary to replace it with fluids that are administered intravenously. After the intervention, it is necessary to stay in the hospital for two to three days in order to avoid the formation of edema and control inflammation, pain and bleeding. A drain is placed in the operated areas to facilitate fluid removal. Also, to help the skin adapt to the new contour, a compression bandage is applied to the treated area, which must be worn permanently for two or three weeks and a few more weeks only during the day. How is liposuction performed? It should be borne in mind that if the skin's elasticity is decreased, after performing liposuction there may be irregularities and depressed areas that can later be corrected by reduced and selective interventions or by injecting fat to fill them. Recovery from liposuction is gradual. Relative rest should be done for about two or four weeks, depending on the extent of the body that has been treated. The stitches are removed after seven or ten days, while the swelling and bruises that have arisen after the operation will gradually disappear in the following months. The liposuction is a safe procedure, but like any surgery involves risk of complications, even if the patient meets the necessary requirements, the operating room is well equipped and is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Infections can arise or suffer excessive fluid loss. But aesthetic problems can also appear, such as keloid scars (hypertrophied), wavy skin or asymmetries. The best candidates for liposuction are healthy people, with a normal weight and localized excesses of fat. It is also important in order to obtain a good aesthetic result that the skin is firm and elastic, otherwise it will not adapt to the new contour and there will be flaps that will then have to be corrected with a plastic surgery intervention. Liposculpture is not indicated in people with circulatory, cardiac or respiratory problems.