Liposuction: Risks and Benefits
Liposuction surgery is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery in the United States. More than a quarter of a million liposuctions were performed last year. It can be an effective means of removing excess body fat in healthy people, but cosmetic surgeons caution that liposuction should not be used as an alternative to diet and exercise.
The surgery consists of removing pockets of fat beneath the skin's surface by inserting a hollow steel tube, called a cannula, into the affected area. Fat is then removed from the body by attaching a powerful vacuum to the cannula, which allows the cosmetic surgeon to work with localized areas. Heavy IV sedation, local anesthetics, or general anesthetics may be used on the patient during the surgery. Both patient and physician should carefully consider risks and benefits that come with any of these methods.
Choices, options and results can vary widely in this field. Doctors should make sure those who are overweight understand that liposuction is not "magic". Liposuction is usually very effective in shaping the body in fat-prone areas such as the buttocks, hips, abdomen, chin, cheeks, neck and arms. According the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS), liposuction is most effective on, "Normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas." Those who are more overweight may not achieve the results they wished for. A reputable cosmetic surgeon will discuss all options and outline potential risks.
Effectiveness, cost, and risk are crucial factors that the patient should consider; these are referred to collectively as "surgical judgment" by the AAPS. Surgical judgment is developed through years of training and experience; patients should consider the training and experience of a particular doctor when choosing a surgeon. Membership in the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, a degree from an accredited medical school, and at least five additional years of residency are examples of indicators of good surgical judgment,
Liposuction surgeries can be performed in a variety of settings. Some are performed in hospitals, in the surgeon's office, and others in an outpatient surgery center. For reasons of cost and convenience, many smaller liposuction surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis. In the case of a larger liposuction surgery and surgeries that include other procedures, the surgery will be performed in a hospital, and may require a day or so of hospital stay for observation and recovery.
As with any type of surgical procedure, there are risks involved. Although liposuction is considered one of the safest cosmetic surgeries, patients should be aware of the dangers. Some risk factors include scarring, adverse drug reactions or overdose from the lidocaine used in the procedure, shock, infections, nerve damage, bleeding and blood clots, and asymmetry (uneven removal of fat deposits). Those with a history of heart disease, diabetes, high blood-pressure, allergies and smoking should discuss their medical history thoroughly with the cosmetic surgeon to determine their risk of complications with this surgery.
Liposuction Info provides comprehensive information on the costs of standard, tumescent, and abdominal liposuction, "before and after" information, liposuction alternatives, and more. Liposuction Info is the sister site of Tummy Tuck Web.
The Cost of Liposuction Procedures
The price of liposuction will vary from state to state and from physician to physician. Although cost is surely a crucial factor in determining whether or not to have the surgery performed, several steps should be taken prior to obtaining a price quote from a surgeon. As a general estimate, last year, liposuction costs ranged from $1,000 - $10,000. Prices can vary largely depending on how much fat is to be removed and which areas of the body the surgery is targeting. Many cosmetic surgeons have pricing guides that may give a prospective patient a general idea of liposuction costs.
Firstly, the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS) recommends that a prospective patient thoroughly interview several surgeons and ask key questions before deciding on a doctor. The patient should inquire about the physician's educational background and work experience. The surgeon should have graduated from an accredited medical school, have at least two years of residency in a cosmetic surgery setting and be a member of the AAPS. Most reputable cosmetic surgeons will also welcome a patient's request for references. Carefully choosing an experienced cosmetic surgeon can greatly affect the outcome of the liposuction surgery.
After careful research, the patient will need to attend an in-depth consultation or counseling session with the chosen surgeon. This is when the surgeon will be able to give pricing information. The cost of the procedure is mostly determined by the area which will be treated and how much fat will be removed during the surgery. Many other factors are included in the cost of the procedure, however, such as anesthetics, facility fees, liposuction compression garments, bloodwork, and laboratory testing. Some surgeons may also recommend additional treatments such as ultrasounds or massages which should be taken into consideration in estimating the cost of the liposuction surgery. Another factor that influences the cost is how the surgeon 'counts' different areas of the body. For example, many surgeons consider the upper and lower abdomen to be separate areas.
As with other cosmetic surgeries, unless it is considered reconstructive surgery due to illness or injury, insurance companies will not generally cover the costs. In most cases it is possible to arrange with the doctor to have a smaller area treated to save on costs. Many refer to this as the "pay-as-you-go method," which allows those with budget concerns to have a cost-effective option. Financing is another option, but because costs can become very high in the long run, it is usually not recommended. Many surgeons inform patients that using a credit card or cash advance may be less expensive than financing through the doctor's office. Though cost is an important factor, finding a good cosmetic surgeon who is willing to work with you within your means while performing at the highest standards should be at the top of a patient's priorities; this will influence the satisfaction one gains from the overall experience.
Liposuction Info provides comprehensive information on the costs of standard, tumescent, and abdominal liposuction, "before and after" information, liposuction alternatives, and more. Liposuction Info is the sister site of Tummy Tuck Web.
How to Prepare for Liposuction
The American Association of Plastic Surgeons recommends that patients undergo a series of physical examinations before the liposuction surgery. The purpose of these exams is to determine whether or not the patient is in good enough health to have the procedure performed, and to rule out any underlying medical issues that may complicate the surgery. It is extremely important for a patient to thoroughly discuss any health issues, including the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, and/or herbal remedies currently used. Supplying the physician with a detailed medical history will give both patient and surgeon a better understanding of what the specific risk factors may be.
Once a patient has decided to follow through with liposuction surgery, he or she should be presented with all of the available options. These include traditional liposuction, tumescent liposuction (a procedure resulting in less blood loss and other complications), as well as various choices for anesthesia. A reputable physician will inform the patient long the surgery will last, how many incisions will be made, probable amount and severity of scarring, and how long the expected recovery time may be.
The surgeon will outline the areas to be treated with a marker. After anesthesia is administered and has taken effect, the doctor will make a small incision in the skin. A hollow steel tube is then inserted, and a vacuum is used to suction out the fatty tissue. Since much fluid is lost through this procedure, it is necessary for the patient to have an IV to replace diminished fluids and to prevent dehydration.
In order to reduce pain and discomfort, the patient will receive either local or general anesthesia. If the surgeon uses the tumescent technique, the fluid used to promote swelling of the fat pockets may be the only method of anesthesia. Intravenous sedation, epidural blockage and general anesthesia are the most common pain-reducing methods. Since liposuction is a surgical procedure, the patient's blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels will be monitored closely.
Doctors recommend that on the day the procedure is to be performed, the patient have someone drive him or her to the hospital or doctor's office. Unless performed on an outpatient setting (for smaller liposuction surgeries), any type of surgical procedure will require a hospital stay, so it is also important to pack a bag that contains anything the patient will need during the stay. Even if the procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, the patient will likely be too tired, uncomfortable or groggy from the surgery to drive home alone.
Depending on the amount of fat removed and the physical location of the surgery, the patient may be able to leave within a few hours, although some may require a night or so of hospital stay. Recovery time should be discussed before liposuction so that the patient will have a realistic timeframe of when he or she can return to work or other normal activities.
Liposuction Info provides comprehensive information on the costs of standard, tumescent, and abdominal liposuction, "before and after" information, liposuction alternatives, and more. Liposuction Info is the sister site of Tummy Tuck Web.
