LIPOSUCTION ALTERNATIVES

Myths and Facts about Liposuction

If there is a certain pill for making people beautiful in just a few seconds, perhaps everybody would pay millions just to have that pill. Yes, almost all of us want to look good because looking good opens a lot of opportunities.

While there is no magic pill for instant beauty, there are a lot of procedures that can enhance both face and body aesthetics. One of these procedures is liposuction. Liposuction is a popular cosmetic procedure which removes fat from certain areas of the body. Progressing from cutting fat using scalpels to suctioning fat using a cannula, liposuction is now the procedure of choice in removing resistant fat.

Since liposuction is a popular procedure, there are a lot of facts and myths surrounding it. Maybe you have heard people say comments such as “liposuction can make you lose weight”, or that “liposuction is a risky procedure.” But is there truth to these statements? Let us discuss some of the most common myths about liposuction and discover the truth in them.

Myth Number 1: Liposuction is a Risky Procedure

Perhaps you have heard people say that liposuction is a risky procedure which can make you lose too much blood or cause organ failure. The truth is that most liposuction procedures nowadays use local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia. Liposuction is generally considered a safe procedure.

To give you an idea of how safe liposuction is, here is what happens during a liposuction procedure. One of the commonly used fat removal techniques is tumescent liposuction. Tumescent liposuction is the removal of fat using local anesthesia in the form of very dilute lidocaine and epinephrine to shrink the blood vessels.

These substances are injected into subcutaneous fat to make the area become swollen and firm. This results to greater room in applying a cannula so that tissues surrounding fat cells are less affected. Aside from this, the tumescent fluids being injected in tumescent liposuction helps prepare the area being treated and pumps the area between the muscles and the fat cells so that the cannula that sucks away fat can move easily.

Tumescent fluids also hasten recovery and bring about fewer traumas to the tissues surrounding the fat cells which are removed. With liposuction procedures such as these, liposuction mainly involves subcutaneous tissues and does not traverse to internal organs, thus it is considered a low risk procedure.

Tumescent liposuction has its own benefits. First, through the tumescent approach, it is easy to remove fat. Secondly, this technique bypasses the need for general anesthesia and post-operative support. Recovery time with the tumescent technique is also quicker and recovery time ranges from just two to seven days, after which the person can resume this or her normal activities. That is how safe and how quick liposuction is.

Myth Number 2: Liposuction is Only for Women

If you think that liposuction is only for women, you may be wrong. Although women are said to have more subcutaneous fat tissue than men, men need to lose excess fat because of health reasons. Men are considered at high risk for cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Also, top killers in men include diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. All these are medical conditions which result from excess fat in the body. Men also need removal of excess fat and shaping of body contours.

Myth Number 3: Liposuction is Only for Fat People but Not for Slim People

Liposuction can be beneficial for both fat and slim persons. In fat people, liposuction removes excess fat from the body. In slim people, liposuction is able to trim down heavy thighs which may not be good to look at with a narrow waist. Liposuction can improve body contours more effectively than diet and exercise alone.

Liposuction improves body contours. In the case of laser liposuction, thermal energy from lasers breaks down fat cells with a probe before fat is removed from the body. Thermal energy softens fat inside fat cells. This energy is specific only for fat cells and does not affect other adjacent cells so that there is minimal injury to the surrounding tissues. Laser liposuction is said to cause lesser damage to the surrounding tissues and muscles because the laser targets fat cells specifically. It also can become more specific on how much fat a surgeon should be removing and on how the cavity or the body should be shaped after treatment.

Myth Number 4: Liposuction Treats Obesity

Liposuction is only a cosmetic procedure which removes excess fat from a specific area in the body. This procedure is not used to remove excess weight or excess fat in all areas of the body. Liposuction only allows the removal of fat equaling to 8% of total body weight for safety. Also, liposuction is also intended for those people with good muscle tone, good skin texture and adequate fat under the skin. Excessive fat inside the abdomen is not suitable for liposuction. This is why liposuction may not be able to treat generalized fat or obesity.

Myth Number 5: Liposuction Only Has Cosmetic Benefits

If you think that liposuction only makes you look good but does not offer enough health benefits for you, you may be wrong. Liposuction may remove excess abdominal fat. Excess abdominal fat is a high risk factor for heart-disease and stroke. Removal of excess fat in certain areas can decrease blood cholesterol levels and can also improve your mental health by boosting your self-esteem. You not only look good but you also feel good.

So, are you ready for liposuction?

Five Common Liposuction Procedures Explained

Liposuction remains to be the treatment of choice for people searching for the quickest method of loosing excess fat deposits. After all, who wouldn’t want a visibly slimmer figure just after a few hours of treatment? Liposuction has become such a common treatment that is widely being practiced in many health centers across the world. Years of practice has helped make liposuction surgery one of the safest and most effective surgical treatments being applied today.

Advancements in medical science have also brought new techniques in helping people get rid of cellulite buildup. These use cutting edge medical technology that reduces or eliminates the use of invasive procedures done in surgical liposuction.

Cutting down or eliminating unhealthy fat deposits greatly reduces your risk for lifestyle related diseases. This makes liposuction and other fat reducing techniques a must do for those who are at risk. If you’re planning to slim down and get a fat free body, below are the five common liposuction procedures explained:

Traditional Liposuction

Traditional liposuction is a fat loss treatment that uses surgical procedures to remove cellulite deposits. A cannula is used to remove fat from target areas instantly reducing cellulite content. A small incision is introduced into the problem area and fat is sucked out. It is considered safe by medical standards and does not pose any serious health risks if done properly. People who undergo liposuction require little recovery time and could resume normal daily activities within days or weeks.

Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction is another modern weight loss treatment that uses breakthrough procedures to introduce fat removal. Medication is introduced into the target area that makes cellulite firm. This firmness makes cellulite removal much easier to suck out fat and is also considered a gentler method of liposuction. Patients are usually discharged immediately after treatment and have the fastest recovery times for liposuction treatments.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

This liposuction procedure uses ultrasound or vibrations to break fat cells. It destroys cell walls, breaking it down into liquids. Ultrasound is introduced over target areas where a cannula is then used to siphon out liquefied fat. Skin trauma and tissue damage is minimized, making it one of the safest liposuction treatments today.

Lipolysis

Lipolysis is very similar in concept to laser liposuction. The main difference however, is that the cannula is used to liquefy fat deposits. Also referred to as “smart lipo,” lipolysis uses the body’s natural elimination system to remove liquefied fat. Small incisions are made and fat is drained naturally. Again, it is considered generally as a safe procedure that poses no serious health risks. Lipolysis or Smart Lipo is an outpatient treatment that requires little recovery times.

Laser Liposuction

Laser liposuction is exactly what its name says. It is a fat loss removal technique that used highly focused lasers to burn and remove excess cellulite deposits. The concept behind laser liposuction is simple, it used this laser to burn, melt stubborn fats. It turns it into a liquid, making it easier to be sucked out by the cannula. Laser liposuction is very similar to traditional liposuction surgery except it uses laser technology. Incisions are also smaller and recovery time much quicker. Some experts also say that using laser liposuction also stimulates the production of collagen that makes it more effective than traditional liposuction.

Water-Assisted Liposuction

Water-assisted liposuction is another modern liposuction treatment that uses water to remove fat deposits. Similar in principle to laser and tumescent liposuction, the difference however is how cellulite is broken down. No heat or medications are used during the procedure. Water is used to breakdown fat reducing the risk of irritation or allergic reaction. This is great for people searching for a more “natural” and gentler alternative to laser treatments.

Liposuction continues to evolve into a more effective and safer method of removing stubborn fat deposits. However, it is not the only method available or the most ideal treatment for weight loss. Eating a healthy diet and living an active lifestyle remains to be the most natural method. It is not only effective in helping people slim down but is also the only way people could keep their gains after liposuction treatments.

Liposuction Done the Right Way

Also known as lipoplasty, the fat modeling technique liposuction is one of the more popular and frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures worldwide. In fact, the procedure is ranked inside the top five most performed cosmetic surgeries in the United States according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery or ASAPS.

Why is Liposuction Popular?

The popularity of liposuction can be attributed to two factors that are innate in us humans – the desire to look younger and the craving to lose weight and achieve a slimmer body figure. Naturally we want to be as young as we could. That explains the plethora of quest for the proverbial fountain of youth. Likewise, losing weight has become a primary concern these days. With obesity figures increasing at an alarming rate because of fast food chains, food carts and the typical modern American lifestyle, the struggle to maintain a decent body figure has become harder by the day.

How Does Liposuction Work?

Liposuction basically works as a fat modeling technique – which is contrary to the common belief that it’s a weight loss regimen. It is surgical operation that removes fat from various parts of the body en route to create a slimmer figure. However it should be noted that the fat removal process is only a technique that will enhance the body figure. It’s not done to lessen figures shown in the weighing scales.

Some of the body areas in which liposuction can be applied include the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and the neck and back of the neck.

Too Much Liposuction Isn’t Safe

Too much of anything is bad and there is no exception even when we are talking about fat excess and unwanted fat. Despite the fact that it’s “excess” and “unwanted,” removing too much of it will prove costly for one’s health.

There have been several reports of successfully removing large amounts of fat (as much as 50 pounds) off a liposuction procedure but that does not mean it’s safe. One thing is for sure though, that is not recommended.

What are the Different Types of Anesthesia Needed?

The type of anesthesia that shall be used and administered during a liposuction procedure is determined by what type of liposuction will be performed. Needless to say, there are a number of liposuction techniques out in today’s cosmetic surgery market and there are three basic types of anesthesia available in the market – local, regional and general anesthesia.

Local anesthesia is the type of anesthesia that is applied to a specific location requiring minor surgery. Most of the time, local anesthesia is needed for noninvasive surgeries.

Regional anesthesia on the other hand, is anesthesia that is injected near the cluster of nerves while general anesthesia is the type that makes a person feel unconscious and as if he has no awareness or sensation.

Who is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Not everyone is a good candidate for liposuction and that is something that should be pointed out clearly prior to your planned liposuction. It is also important to note that liposuction should not be treated as an alternative to regular exercise, proper diet and natural weight losing strategies. Nevertheless being a good candidate for liposuction isn’t that difficult.

First and foremost is that you need to be at the right age. The right age is usually pegged at 18 years old but it is certainly better to have your liposuction during the time when you needed it most –around your early and mid 30s, for example.

Another thing that should be considered is your current health status. Will you be able to withstand the operation?

Additionally, the allergies and the minor conditions you have should also be given due importance and should be regarded.

The Approaches to Liposuction

There are various approaches to liposuction and each differs from one another. Nonetheless, there are four steps in a basic liposuction approach.

1) Determine and remove the right amount of fat

2) Minimize disturbance of tissues and blood vessels

3) Maintain the patient’s fluid balance

4) Cause least discomfort to the patient

Different Types of Liposuction Techniques

Several types of liposuction have been introduced over the years. Some of the most common types include the SAL or the suction assisted liposuction, the UAL or the ultrasound assisted liposuction and the PAL or the power assisted liposuction.

Side Effects and Possible Complications

Just like any other medical surgery, there are a couple of side effects and possible complications associated with liposuction procedures. Some of which are detailed below;

• Bruising

Bruising is a possible side effect especially if you’ve undergone an invasive liposuction treatment. Bruises can be painful but are bound to fade a few weeks after the liposuction.

• Swelling

Swelling around the body area where liposuction is applied is another possible complication. Swelling may nevertheless subside a few days after the operation.

• Scarring

After a successful liposuction, you may notice scars in the body area where the procedure is applied. These scars may either be permanent or temporary.

• Numbness

Numbness is often a result of the anesthesia injected into the patient’s body. Expect to feel a numb sensation for a couple of hours after your liposuction.

• Weight Gain

Slight weight gain is another possible complication of a liposuction procedure. Post-operative weight gain is common and should not be a cause of concern.

Liposuction is certainly a genuine way of fighting off the effects of aging and maintaining a slimmer and healthier body figure. However it is still necessary to examine and reexamine the pros and cons of liposuction in order to arrive at a more informed decision – liposuction done the right way is, without a doubt, truly safe and effective.

Natural Treatments for People Recovering from Liposuction Surgery

Liposuction may not be the best solution in removing those unwanted fats that people have been hiding or suffering for a better part of their life. The process of having a more “slender” look doesn’t just end after surgery. It’s just the first step and you have to make a promise to change your lifestyle into a healthier one.

From the food you eat to the basic everyday routines that you’ve been doing, staying healthy is a lifetime commitment. If you don’t want to imagine yourself growing those unwanted curves, snap out of that nightmare, wake up, and change your lifestyle! Maintain your figure naturally and heal the wounds of surgery.

Here are great tips to maintain your figure and ways to recover from the pain and side effects of liposuction surgery:

• Compression Garments or Elastic Bandages

These are mandatory and should be used after the procedure is completed. These helps control the swelling after the liposuction. It also helps compress your skin to your new body contours. It helps relieve pain and shapes the skin to naturally follow your new contours. Compression garments and elastic bandages also prevent the development of saggy skin.

Bandages will be kept on the area for at least two weeks depending on the area of surgery. This is to maintain pressure on the area and stop any bleeding. You may notice that the area appears larger before the surgery. You don’t have to worry about anything since this is part of the normal healing process. Keep the pressure on these areas as advised by your doctor to avoid complications.

• Hydrate

Many things happen during the healing process. And most of these things occur inside your body. Most of the time, your body would need more fluids to replace those lost during surgery.

This is why our doctor suggests drinking more fluids after surgery. You would actually need more than eight glasses of water a day to replace what has already been lost.

•  Go Overboard on Vitamin C and Pair It Up with Vitamin A and Zinc

Known to be the most efficient vitamin in terms of assisting in the healing process, vitamin C is an important component for optimum healing. This vitamin helps aid in tissue repair, assisting in helping postoperative wounds heal. Don’t just settle for over-the-counter drugs, go natural, and buy vitamin-C rich foods. Citrus fruits are the richest sources of Vitamin C. Or you can try to search for the best vitamin-C rich foods online. The best one that I’ve searched so far is seaweeds. Yes, seaweeds, you got that right. With these babies, it’s got 10 times more vitamin C content compared to any other citric food available in the market. Well, if you’re more of a fruit eater, you can go for pomegranates, oranges, lemons, pineapples, and the list is limitless.

Vitamin A-rich food and Zinc can also be paired Vitamin C-packed foods. This will aid in skin regeneration and helps hasten the healing time of the postoperative area.

•  Crazy Over Garlic

When we talk about surgery, infection is a possible side effect. To avoid this, why not go for the natural antibiotic Garlic. Garlic’s is packed with natural antibiotics called kyolic which enhances the body’s immune system’s function.

Health experts also recommend other herbal supplements like Echinacea, goldensal, and rose hips to help strengthen or boost the immune system.

• Stock Up your Fridge with Protein-Rich Food

When we talk about tissue and/or skin regeneration, nothing beats pure lean meat. Yes, this is the time where you’ll have to stock up on protein, usually red meat. If you’re not a meat-lover you can go for beans and/or legumes as these type of food are also rich in protein which would help rebuild skin and muscle tissues.

• Be Active

Patients are advised be active or ambulate as much as they can. This will not only help avoid any possible complications but also aids in reducing healing time. As long as the patient is properly assisted, then mobility is best advised.

To keep it everything simple, switch to a healthy lifestyle. Let go of the old unhealthy habits of the past. Stay away from fast food chains. Change the way you eat and live. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Perform simple exercises for better ambulation and faster healing of postoperative wounds.  This will not only help you maintain the figure that you’ve been dreaming of, you’ll also have that healthy feeling, inside and out.