Liposuction: What You Need to Know

Although practised in both Europe and the United States, liposuction is not a harmless procedure as most people believe. It can be fatal if not carried out by a good surgeon. But what is it really?

What is liposuction?

Contrary to popular belief, liposuction is not an operation for people who are overweight or obese. Instead, it is a surgical procedure that gives the body’s silhouette a new shape. To do this, the surgeon sucks out or removes excess fat from a part of the body. This may be the stomach, back, hips, thighs, etc. It should also be noted that the specialist with the skills required to perform this operation is called a cosmetic surgeon. The operation is carried out under anaesthetic in the operating theatre of a cosmetic surgery department or clinic.

Finding the right surgeon

Finding the right surgeon is important for your safety. To do this, we recommend that you refer to the directory of the medical authorities. You can also seek advice from acquaintances who have already undergone the operation. However, it is important that you trust your intuition. You need to have confidence in the specialist you have chosen. Make sure that he or she has listened to you and understands your expectations.

The first step before liposuction: consultation

Before embarking on a liposuction operation, you will first need to undergo a consultation. This first stage is vital if you want the operation to go smoothly. This is where the specialist will find out about your medical history. But before doing so, he or she will take the time to listen to you in order to identify the result you are looking for. He will also make sure that your body is able to withstand the procedure. To do this, he will examine your figure and, above all, the tone of your skin. However, it is important to point out that liposuction is not recommended for people with poor-quality skin. Once all these checks have been made, the specialist will give you a description of how the fat will be removed.

The procedure for liposuction

Generally, a liposuction operation begins in the morning and you return home in the evening. However, when the operation is major, the surgeon may keep you overnight in hospital to make sure that everything is going well. In such cases, you will be discharged the following morning. If you wish to undergo liposuction, you should be aware that the greater the amount of fat to be removed, the greater the risk of complications. This is why plastic surgeons do not remove more than 5 litres of fat during liposuction. The procedure can be performed under either general or local anaesthetic. It all depends on the extent of the work that needs to be done.