Advantages & Disadvantages of Liposuction (fat removal surgery)

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Advantages & Disadvantages of Liposuction

Of the many cosmetic procedures performed each day, liposuction (or body fat removal) is one of the most common and well-known.

Liposuction surgery can remove from one to ten pounds of fat with a single procedure, which is great news for those who are near their ideal weight but suffering from localized collections of fat that refuse to budge.

Liposuction is an invasive procedure however and requires a set amount of "down time" following its performance. This is to avoid some troubling complications that might occur when fat stores are disrupted. This is one of the main concerns or risks from the procedure, where fat may enter the blood stream and cause problems at a later point in time.

Additionally, many patients have to deal with swelling and some scarring, but generally cosmetic surgeons can warn patients with the potential for such issues.

Are cosmetic surgeons the only doctors performing liposuction surgery?

Many doctors are trained in the procedure, but cosmetic surgeons are the only ones who are regularly informed and updated on the most effective and promising techniques and data.

For example, fat removal equipment, programs and surgeries are not of much interest to your standard general practitioner, whereas cosmetic surgeons will need to be well informed in how to perform liposuction surgery on all areas of the body, including such delicate regions as the neck, arms and thighs.

Is fat removal surgery recommended for all people?

Is fat removal recommended for all people? Actually, many cosmetic surgeons will not do a liposuction surgery on someone unless they have first followed a strict weight loss routine and come as close as possible to their ideal body weight. This is determined by their height, frame and family history.

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of selecting liposuction? The advantages are many, and among the first are the instantaneous results. As stated earlier, most liposuction surgeries can remove from one to ten pounds of fat in a single procedure. It can also eliminate fatty deposits in areas that a patient has been targeting but just cannot get results.

This is not an uncommon occurrence and many people use liposuction surgery followed up by a routine that includes diet, exercise and massage treatments to prevent any body fat from resettling in the area.

This leads to the disadvantages, which include the return of fatty deposits to an area previously targeted by fat removal surgery. Cosmetic surgeons often warn patients who are still carrying excess pounds that fat tends to distribute itself in the same areas on each person, and if they remain overweight, fat from elsewhere may resettle in the recently targeted area. Another disadvantage is the recovery period of two to three days followed by several weeks of avoiding strenuous activity. This can greatly interfere with day to day life, which many liposuction patients find difficult. Also, as stated earlier, there are some health risks associated with liposuction surgery, but generally the better cosmetic surgeons will thoroughly review such risks with their patients and recommend an alternative fat removal treatment if they determine that the risks are too great.