For any person undergoing any type of procedure, cosmetic or otherwise, safety is always a top concern. Aside from wanting the procedure to work, patients want to avoid complications and ensure they will be healthy and happy after they recover.
This is especially true for an elective cosmetic procedure such as liposuction. If you are considering liposuction, but want to know if it is safe, the following guide can help. By learning more about liposuction, the factors that affect safety, and the potential benefits, you can make a confident and informed choice.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to remove fat cells from the body. The term “lipo” comes from the Greek word for fat, and suction refers to the method for removal, which is typically a vacuum device attached to a thin tube. The most common areas where this procedure is performed are the stomach, waistline, obliques, buttocks, thighs, and arms.
As a cosmetic procedure, patients elect to undergo liposuction to address problem areas that have not responded to diet or exercise. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss, good nutrition, or exercise.
There are many approaches to liposuction, including the following methods:
- Traditional liposuction: Uses a suction device.
- Laser-assisted lipo: Also known as Smart Lipo, uses a laser in conjunction with suction to more efficiently destroy fat cells.
- Ultrasound-assisted lipo: Uses ultrasound to heat and disrupt fat.
- Vibration-assisted lipo: Uses compressed air to increase efficiency.
- Radiofrequency-assisted lipo: Uses radio waves to heat and destroy fat cells.
- Tumescent liposuction: Liposuction can be performed with general anesthesia, as well as local anesthesia, which is called tumescent liposuction. The type of anesthesia used is one of the factors that can have an impact on safety.
For more information, check out our article: Types of Liposuction: Which Is Best For Me?
How safe is liposuction?
Liposuction is generally considered to be a safe procedure. Each year, hundreds of thousands of patients undergo liposuction and it is the second-most popular form of cosmetic surgery. As with any procedure, there are certain risks and complications that are associated with this procedure that any patient should be aware of.
Factors that affect the safety of a liposuction procedure include:
- The knowledge and experience of the surgeon and surgical staff
- The surgical equipment and technology
- The facility
- Patient health and suitability for the procedure
- Type of anesthesia
Anesthesia can have a significant impact on the safety of liposuction. For example, using tumescent fluid can help to reduce swelling, bleeding, and bruising after the procedure. It also reduces the risk of local infection and helps rehydrate the patient to reduce dizziness and fatigue.
Potential Risks and Complications of Liposuction
It is important to understand and discuss with your surgeon the potential for risks and complications that can occur during and after a liposuction procedure, including:
- Uneven fat removal and contour irregularities
- Fluid accumulation
- Local infection
- Numbness and tingling in the area
- Toxicity to fluids, such as lidocaine, in rare cases
In rare cases, a piece of fat can become loose and get trapped in a blood vessel or travel to the lungs or brain, resulting in a fat embolism. This is considered a medical emergency and should receive immediate care.
Having an experienced and knowledgeable surgeon, team, and facility can make a big difference in the overall safety of a Liposuction procedure. At Innovations Medical, Dr. Bill Johnson and his dedicated team use proven and advanced technology to provide the safest and most comfortable experience for patients. Dr. Johnson is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and has been practicing his craft since 1984.
Benefits of Liposuction
For patients who are good candidates for liposuction, it can offer the following benefits:
- Overall slimmer appearance
- Better fitting clothes and no more “muffin top”
- Flatter stomach
- Addresses problem areas that don’t respond to diet and exercise, such as love handles, arms, belly fat, and male gynecomastia, or “man boobs”
- More confidence
For many, liposuction is the last step or missing puzzle piece needed to meet appearance goals and achieve a younger and slimmer you. Talk to your cosmetic surgeon about the range of liposuction options available to find out which approach may best fit your needs and goals.
For more information, check out our article: The 8 Biggest Benefits of Liposuction
Are you a good candidate for liposuction?
Liposuction is not for everyone, and it is definitely not a substitute for a weight loss plan. Good candidates for liposuction at Innovations Medical meet the following criteria:
- In good overall health without any major illnesses or medical conditions
- Are at or near a healthy goal weight
Adults with good skin elasticity and relatively minimal excess skin typically see the best results from any liposuction procedure.
Contact Innovations Medical to Find Out if You Are a Candidate for Liposuction
If you’re looking to achieve a slimmer appearance and get rid of problem areas, Innovations Medical is here for you. Our skilled professionals help you decide which treatment is best for you – keeping you informed and confident in the next steps. We’ve been helping our patients look and feel their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To find out if Liposuction at Innovations Medical is right for you, and to learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule an appointment.