Liposuction - Myths and Facts

Introduction

Cosmetic treatment intervention also holds a separate space for misconceptions and myths. Wrong information can often guide patients to unreal and impossible treatment results. Liposuction though it is a routinely preferred treatment strategy, the majority of patients approach doctors for liposuction by understanding it in the wrong way. A proper understanding of the facts regarding the treatment intervention is essential to precipitate patient satisfaction, which further enhances the treatment results. In addition, it also helps in understanding the possible risks and challenges associated with the condition.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a particular cosmetic procedure whereby the extra fat gathering in specific body parts is suctioned out to contour the shape and structure esthetically. It helps enhance physical beauty by eliminating irregularities and projections in the body that develop from the piling up of fat molecules within the area. The synonym body contouring also knows liposuction.

How Does Liposuction Work?

Liposuction works by suctioning out the fat collection sandwiched between the outer skin layer and the inner muscle layer. The extra calorie an individual takes up often gets stored and retained in the body as fat deposits after passing through various metabolic activities. These fat molecules are eliminated from the body by suctioning techniques. The wide acceptance of liposuction is due to its promising results when performed for the right candidate at the very right time. It is a highly effective treatment intervention for the added fat gathering in various body parts. The fat additions in the body parts often make it aesthetically unappealing. Hence liposuction is a blessing for those troubled with extra fat piling under the skin, where other treatment interventions failed to elicit an appreciable result. However, it is not the first line of approach for overweighed and obese individuals.

How Is Liposuction Performed?

Liposuction is considered a form of surgical procedure but does not involve extensive surgical approaches. It is performed after numbing the area where the fat deposition must be removed. It is done with the help of anesthetics by injecting locally into the skin. Then a small cut is made in the area intended to be contoured. Through the cut, a specific mixture of the anesthetic agents called tumescent solution is introduced into the under skin area. It helps in tackling the bleeding and establishes adequate numbness in the area. Once the area achieves sufficient numbness, the fat is sucked and drawn out with the help of specific liposuction machines by approaching the area from different angles. It precipitates better contouring of the area.

Post-operative care is important for liposuction. Sometimes after surgery, tissue fluid and blood may gather over the fat-removed area. Hence for a couple of days following the procedure, tiny drainage tubes are placed to ensure drainage of the collected fluid. A dressing that offers sufficient compression is then advised to be worn by the patient.

What Are the Myths and Facts Associated With Liposuction?

Understanding the facts behind every treatment ensures the success of the treatment. Wrong information creates unnecessary panic in the patients chosen for liposuction. Some of the widely reported myths that revolve around liposuction procedures include the following:

• Myth: Liposuction is the first line of approach for weight reduction.

Fact: Liposuction is never considered to be the first-line treatment. It is advised only for individuals within the average weight or very close to the normal range. It never works for obese (overweighted) patients. Liposuction is preferred to get rid of the fat molecules that are resistant to other weight loss remedies. Hence it is never a treatment approach for the overweight.

• Myth: Only young populations are benefitted from liposuction.

Fact: Liposuction has no age restriction, provided the patient is fit and healthy. Poor skin tonicity and elasticity can impact the outcome of liposuction, which is often precipitated by aging. However, if the patient's skin is healthy, then there is no age restriction to undergo liposuction treatment.

• Myth: Liposuction works well for eliminating belly fat.

Fact: Liposuction can draw out fat molecules under the skin layer above the muscles. It cannot suction the fat which is trapped underneath the muscle layer. In the case of a pouched belly, liposuction can take away only little fat as a major proportion of fat deposits are trapped much deeper. Hence liposuction alone cannot bring an appreciable result in clearing belly fat.

• Myth: Liposuction can also tackle skin sagging.

Fact: Liposuction works to eliminate the extra pounds of fat underneath the skin. It could not enhance skin elasticity. Skin sagging is part of the aging process and can be corrected by cosmetic treatment interventions.

• Myth: Liposuction does not entail post-operative care.

Fact: Being a surgical technique, patients undergoing liposuction are instructed to keep track of all the post-operative instructions that the concerned doctor advises. It often demands a week's rest to enhance healing and facilitate fast recovery.

• Myth: Liposuction treatment is exclusively for females.

Fact: There is no gender preference for liposuction. Anybody with an accurate indication for liposuction can undergo the treatment. Since it is a cosmetic procedure, the treatment is often sought by females, but that does not pose any challenges for liposuction in the male population.

• Myth: After liposuction, the patients no longer need to keep track of their body weight.

Fact: Liposuction does not guarantee any check on excess weight gain. Even after the procedure, the body weight must be controlled if the patient wants to retain the effects. Therefore the patients are advised to continue with their routine exercise and necessary food control.

• Myth: Liposuction induces weakness in the surgical site.

Fact: Liposuction is in no way related to muscle strength. Only the fat is suctioned out without interfering with any other body tissue. On the contrary, liposuction enhances the dynamics of the person, which in turn contributes to muscle strength.

Conclusion

Liposuction is an emerging cosmetic treatment intervention with promising results. Wrong information and misunderstanding regarding the procedure often allow patients to seek the treatment they choose. By debunking and exploring all the myths associated with liposuction, one can acquire a better understanding of liposuction. It also provides an idea to the patients regarding the extent of results it can offer so that unrealistic and illogical expectations can be dealt with effectively.