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Exercise and diet can help make you healthy, as well as help you look lean and muscular. For some individuals, however, it does not always remove those stubborn LFD's (localized fat deposits). Every individual's fat distribution and body shape is genetically determined. What this means is that often no amount of diet and exercise will remove these stubborn fat deposits. Even if the individual is at an adequate body weight, they will still posses areas of excess fat. Liposuction is a procedure that can remove fat and fat cells, thus sculpting the body and doing what diet and exercise alone could not. Liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States today. However, even though liposuction is designed to remove fat, it does not replace or serve as a substitute for good diet and exercise. Lipoplasty, commonly known as liposuction, is a common surgical procedure that removes deposits of excess fat from specific areas of the body, face or neck. Liposuction can be used to slim the hips, thighs, flatten the tummy, shape the calves and ankles or eliminate a double chin. The best candidates for Liposuction are:
Patients of any age can undergo the procedure, but those who have greater skin elasticity will achieve the smoothest end result. During the liposuction procedure, one or more incisions are made near the area to be treated. When possible, the incisions are made within the fold or natural creases in skin. Your doctor will then insert a small hollow tube called a cannula through the incision where he will then penetrate the underlying fat. The cannula is connected to a flexible tubing and suction pump. Your doctor then moves the cannula back and forth thought the fat, vacuuming the fat out through the tube. The Procedure is very common with thousands of patients undergoing the procedure each year with no major complications. However the possibility of risk occurring is always associated with surgery. In rare cases the liposuction procedure has caused severe trauma, particularly when multiple or very extensive areas are suctioned at one time. Other possible complications include fluid accumulation and injury to the skin. Sometimes asymmetry or unevenness may require further treatment. There are various fat removal techniques available. There is the tumescent technique, in which the fat is pre-injected with a solution of salt water, local anesthetic and small amounts of adrenaline. Another type of procedure is the Ultrasound assisted Lipoplasty, UAL. This is a two-step procedure that uses ultra sound waves for energy and liquefies the fat, which is then suctioned out. There are more techniques available, during your consultation, be sure to ask your doctor for more information about the various fat removal techniques.
A tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure in which excess skin and fat are removed from the lower abdomen and the muscles of the abdomen wall are tightened. This procedure can drastically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. The procedure is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies have stretched their abdomen so far that it does not return to it's normal shape. A tummy tuck is also helpful for those who have lost a significant amount of weight but still possess loose, sagging skin. Tummy tucks are often performed in conjunction with liposuction. During the tummy tuck procedure a horizontal incision is made just above the pubic area and excess skin and fat is removed from the abdomen. Skin is separated from the abdominal wall. The underlying muscles of the abdominal wall are then tightened. The abdominal skin is then drawn downward and the excess is removed. Some of these risks of tummy tucks include infection and blood clots. These can be treated easily and are rare. Tummy Tucks can improve abdominal appearance, however the procedure has been known to leave scarring. Some scarring can be severe and may require a second operation. There are other alternatives to the tummy tuck procedure. A mini tummy tuck can be performed, in which it only improves the appearance of the abdomen below the navel. During a mini tummy tuck, only a short horizontal incision is made and the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. Another alternative is undergoing liposuction in order to remove the abdominal fat. Liposuction can also be performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck. Please consult with your plastic surgeon as to which procedure will best meet your needs.
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The areas that liposuction can have the greatest effect on are the abdomen and waist area, the arms, back, chin, neck, hips, buttocks, thighs, ankles, calves and inner knees.
The
best candidates for an abdominoplasty are men or women in good
health and relatively good shape, but are bothered by a large
fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that does not respond to diet
or exercise. Those who are considering losing a significant amount
of weight or women still planning future pregnancies, may want
to consider waiting before undergoing the tummy tuck procedure.