What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure used to reshape the aesthetics of the body, eliminating by aspiration the fat deposits resistant to the slimming action of diet and exercise.
In addition to the traditional technique, several procedures have been developed over the course of many years to perform liposuction.
The general principle consists in the insertion under the skin of a thin cannula connected to a suction device, which - through appropriate maneuvers by the surgeon - shatters the fat pads. When the suction is activated, small pieces of subcutaneous tissue containing adipocytes, blood are aspirated and removed. , lymph, amorphous substance and other cells. Once the desired result is achieved, the treated area is bandaged to promote tissue remodeling. Liposuction can be performed on specific areas of the body, such as abdomen, thighs, knees, arms or Buttocks. Although the surgery is most commonly used for aesthetic body contouring, it can also be applied to reduce breast size in men (gynecomastia) or to remove lipomas (benign fat tumor).
The technique is commonly believed to be effective, safe and easy to apply. In fact, liposuction is especially suitable for people with a stable body weight, with mild or moderate overweight, who have a couple of limited and problematic points. Liposuction, in fact, is not a treatment for obesity, but a body remodeling procedure: in cases of severe overweight it is more useful to follow a balanced diet and practice regular physical exercise, or to evaluate any bariatric surgery procedures, such as gastric bypass.
Several factors limit the amount of fat that can be safely removed during a single liposuction session. The removal of very large volumes (more than 5 liters) is a complex and potentially life-threatening procedure. The safety of the technique depends not only on the amount of tissue removed, but also on the choice of anesthetic and on general health conditions. of the patient. The potential risks of liposuction and the expectations on the aesthetic results that can be obtained must always be discussed with the doctor before undergoing the operation. Finally, over time, the adipose tissue can repopulate and the number of adipocytes can be restored. The only way to recover. to ensure that the adipose tissue removed during liposuction will not return to its place, consists in adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet and adequate physical exercise.
Objectives and Treatable Areas
The first goal of any liposuction procedure is to remove the right amount of fat while causing minimal discomfort for the patient.
Liposuction reduces the accumulation of fat in a specific area of the body, such as:
- Abdomen;
- Arm;
- Buttocks;
- Calves, ankles and knees;
- Breast and back;
- Flanks;
- External and internal thighs;
- Neck and chin.
Liposuction is also used for the reduction of gynecomastia (i.e. the development of fatty tissue in the male breast) and to treat certain medical conditions, including:
- Lipomas (benign tumor of adipose tissue);
- Lipodystrophy (abnormality of adipose tissue, with redistribution of lipids in the body);
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), to remove the sweat glands from the underarm area.
