Is liposuction a healthy way to lose weight?

Over the years, countless of methods are being developed to help people lose weight. And one that is quite popular today is thru a surgical procedure called liposuction. There have been many speculations about liposuction and how safe it is. This is the question that has been burdening people with weight problems for a long time already.

Liposuction is done by inserting tiny tubes into small cuts into the skin and extracting the fats in the body. It is usually done as an outpatient procedure, and thus hospitalization is out of the equation. Through the years there have been techniques developed to make the procedure safer and less painful.

Some of these techniques are the following:

• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction-is being done by using an ultrasound to soften and make the fat liquid. This will provide a much easy way to remove the fats in the body.
• Tumescent liposuction-is done by administering a local anesthesia to numb the part of the body and where the tube will be inserted.

How effective is Liposuction?

Generally, liposuction is an effective method of removing unwanted fats that are deposited in the body. This process shorten the amount of pain you have to endure with training at the gym since the fats are expelled in the body in a matter of minutes. The only disadvantage is that the skin to where the fat has been removed may appear sloppy. The bad news is that it takes up to 6 months for the skin to tighten back again.

Are there any side effects?

When the procedure has been successfully done, the patient may experience pain, swelling and bruising. The swelling and bruising may last for 2 weeks. There may be secretion of fluids in the area of incision. Doctors may require you to take antibiotics to avoid infection. An elastic bandage and tape is used to cover the area to where the incision has been done.

Almost all patients will be able to stand and move around after the procedure has been done. The recovery period may last for 2 weeks or more, depending on the patient’s condition.

What are the reasons why people undergo liposuction

A lot of people are conscious of their body figure, and most of them do not have time to exercising and visiting the gym every now and then. Liposuction provides a quicker way of reshaping the body. People who have floppy buttock, abdomen, neck and upper arms, are more likely to undergo liposuction. The procedure is also used to treat certain medical conditions like:

• Abnormal large breast for male
• Benign fatty tumours
• Excessive sweating in the armpit area
• Metabolic problems that cause body fat

Is it dangerous?

Liposuction should be done by a well experience doctor that has the proper equipment and facility.  There is a high risk of complications if liposuction is done in many areas of the body. It is also dangerous if there is too much fat removed in the body. Some people who undergo liposuction has experience permanent changes in skin color, uneven skin surface in the treated area and damages to skin.

Even though, death caused by liposuction is rare, still there is no guarantee it won’t happen. Especially if, there is a large amount of fat to remove. It may be also dangerous if the procedure is done in an unsterile area and not by a professional. Some complications that can occur are:

• To many blood and fluid loss
• Creation of blood and fat clots that go to vital organs, which may be extremely dangerous.
• Fluid in the lungs
• Reaction to solution injected
• Damages to the organs

NOTE: People who have a heart problem should not undergo liposuction. It is also dangerous for women who are pregnant to undergo liposuction.

Making the decision

Keep in mind that even though liposuction offers new and safer techniques, it still involves risky surgical operation. You may lose some unwanted fats in your body, but it does not guarantee an absolute solution to your weight problem. Liposuction will not have an effect to a person if he/she still maintains the same unhealthy lifestyle. The best way to lose weight is through making behavioural modifications. Lastly, if you decide to undergo liposuction, make sure that you have it done by an experienced doctor.

• Prev
• Next