You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you have localized excess fat or if you desire contouring in any of the following areas:

• cheeks, jowls and neck
• upper arms
• breast or chest areas
• back
• abdomen and waist
• hips and buttocks
• inner and outer thighs
• inner knee
• calves and ankles

Liposuction may sometimes be used to treat a condition called gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, which frequently occurs among both teenage and adult males.
 
Liposuction should not be considered a substitute for overall weight loss, nor is it an effective treatment for cellulite, a condition that gives the skin an uneven, dimpled appearance. Alternative treatments may be considered, in some instances, to improve this problem.
 
Liposuction can be performed on several areas of the body at the same time, and it can also be done in conjunction with other aesthetic plastic surgery.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions you may have such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. Your surgeon will want to know about previous surgeries, medical treatments and medications that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information.
 
How much you currently weigh and whether you plan to lose or gain weight in the future will be factors in evaluating you for liposuction. Your plastic surgeon may ask you about the effects of prior weight loss on the appearance of those areas which you have indicated for contouring. He or she will assess the elasticity of your skin and estimate the amount of fat to be removed for optimal results. 
 
Your personal consultation:
Because of individual physical factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from liposuction. Your plastic surgeon will take into consideration your unique characteristics in determining the most effective treatment. During the consultation, you will be asked to point out the exact areas which you would like to see improved. This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

Fat is removed by first inserting a small, hollow tube, called a cannula, through one or more tiny incisions near the area to be suctioned. Incisions are usually less than one-quarter inch in length and are placed as inconspicuously as possible, often within skin folds or contour lines. The cannula is connected by tubing to a vacuum pressure unit. Guided by the surgeon, the suction device literally vacuums away the unwanted fat.
 
What are some variations to the liposuction technique?
Prior to performing liposuction, fluid is instilled into the areas to be suctioned. Plastic surgeons may use a "dry" technique, a "tumescent" technique that introduces large amounts of fluid, or other variations. Your surgeon will discuss with you the particular method that he or she recommends for treating specific areas of your body.
 
Liposuction is popular among men, particularly for eliminating bulging fat around the waist.
 
Areas of the body commonly treated with liposuction are shown, including delicate areas such as the inner knee and the calves and ankles which can be suctioned with a very thin cannula to achieve a more shapely contour.
 
The abdominal area responds well to treatment with liposuction, resulting in a flatter abdominal profile and better-defined waist. In some patients, liposuction of the upper arms may also be effective.
 
Liposuction can remove fatty deposits in the cheeks, jowls and neck.

Fortunately, significant complications from liposuction are infrequent. Every year, many thousands of people have undergone liposuction, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results. Anyone considering surgery, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks.
 
The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office. Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include bleeding, infection and reasons to anesthesia. Blood accumulations under the skin are possible, but these normally resolve themselves and rarely require removal. While numbness of the skin following liposuction is almost always temporary, it is possible for some lack of sensation to persist or for skin discoloration to appear in treated areas. Contour irregularities including depressions or wrinkling of the skin can result in some patients, but treatments are usually available to help minimize these problems if they occur.

The goal of your plastic surgeon and the entire staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible.
 
Your Surgical Experience
If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions. Depending on the extent of your surgery and the type of anesthesia used, you may need someone to drive you home afterwards and to stay with you at least the first night.

It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
 
The day after surgery, you will need to move around a bit to promote blood circulation. Your plastic surgeon will advise you to limit yourself to these brief periods of gentle activities for the first few days. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications, and you should not smoke for a while following surgery.
 
Your dressings will be temporarily removed within several days so that your plastic surgeon can examine the treated areas. You will notice swelling and bruising, which is to be expected. Swelling usually begins to subside a week or so following surgery, while bruising can last three weeks or longer. There may also be numbness in some areas, and it may take several weeks before feeling returns. If stitches need to be removed, this is typically done within ten days after surgery.

You may be able to return to work in just a few days. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities within one or two weeks and begin some form of exercise soon after. The timing of your recovery depends largely on the extent of your surgery.
 
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals. Depending on the extent of your abdominoplasty and your general physical condition, you may be able to return to non-strenuous work anywhere from one to three weeks after surgery. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities, including some form of mild exercise, after a few weeks. You may continue to experience some mild, periodic discomfort and swelling during this time, but such feelings are normal. Severe pain should be reported to your doctor.
 
Any sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of two weeks, and your plastic surgeon may advise you to wait longer.

The results of liposuction will be permanent, as long as you maintain your postoperative weight. Even if you gain a few extra pounds, you may find that the weight is distributed more evenly instead of accumulating in the areas that were problematic for you in the past.
 
Occasionally, a touchup may be desired to further improve an area that has been suctioned. The additional treatment can sometimes be performed under local anesthesia in your plastic surgeon's office. More extensive revisions may require a return to the operating room.
 
Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated. Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon.