It’s time to get ready for the summer, and we are all dreading going to the gym. What if we told you that you might not have to? There are so many advancements in cosmetic surgery that we keep seeing more people switching over, especially for stubborn fat. Every body type is different in that it retains fat. We all have fat cells underneath the skin that expand when one gains weight and shrink when we lose it. The good thing about them is that if they were taken out of our bodies, new ones wouldn’t grow back.
Different forms of lipoplasty have been invented to do just that. Directly removing fat is the most popular way to help with eliminating stubborn deposits. The most commonly known form of lipoplasty is liposuction, which is most commonly used on the abdomen, thighs, neck, chin, and more. The way to conduct liposuction hasn’t changed much since its creation. The fat is removed through a hollow instrument called a cannula, inserted right under the skin to suction out fat cells. The cannula has a powerful vacuum designed to remove the fat.
Another popular method is the ultrasonic-assisted lipoplasty. This technique is different in that it uses ultrasounds to melt away the fat on contact. The ultrasound vibrations break the wall of the fat cells and liquefy it, making it easier to suction. The waves come from a similar cannula that then sucks out the fat. It can also be used in the same areas, such as the abdomen, legs, arms, and more. That leaves a potential patient with another set of questions, which are, what is the better option?
What To Expect?
Liposuction requires general anesthetic before the procedure, which, depending on the area, can last for 1 to 10 hours. If the area is small enough only to require local anesthesia, you might even have to stand up during the procedure. Recovery, again depending on the body part, could take 1 to 6 weeks. The swelling usually goes down in the first week, but within a few days, you should feel comfortable doing non-strenuous activities.
Ultrasound lipoplasty is known as an outpatient basis. You usually go into the office and then go home the same day. Recovery for this method of liposuction is brief compared to the results timeline. Since this is usually an outpatient procedure, you will be able to go home right away, but you still will need a few days off to rest.
Risks
All kinds of surgeries have certain risks, and these procedures are no different, no matter how slight. Liposuction was invented in 1974, and although it has grown a lot, there are still some risks involved. Some of these hazards are severe bruising, which can last for several weeks, inflammation, temporary numbness, and contour irregularities. More severe risks are infection, internal organ punctures, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary edema. This is something that also varies depending on the skillset of your surgeon.
Ultrasonic assisted lipoplasty is a more advanced version of liposuction due to the growth of technology. This comes with similar risks such as inflammation, numbness, and contour irregularities. And there are also other risks such as a higher risk of scarring, nerve damage, and abdominal holes; however, this procedure is known to be less risky. Remember to talk to your surgeon to see if you are the right candidate for either of these surgeries.
These are both effective surgeries for body contouring, yet neither is an alternative for weight loss. The fat cells that are removed do not grow back, but those that are left can still expand. After surgery recovery time, the best thing to do is basic exercise and diets for upkeep.