Who Is A Good Candidate For Liposuction?

PHOENIX, AZ, September 02, 2010 (Press-News.org) Although liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States, it is not recommended for everybody. The best way to find out who is a good candidate for liposuction is to visit a qualified cosmetic surgeon and schedule a consultation. During the consultation, you and the physician will do a thorough evaluation of your medical history and your overall health and cosmetic goals.

Considerations
There are many factors that should be considered before deciding on liposuction. The primary one is that you are the one deciding to undergo the procedure and are not doing it to please someone else. Performing cosmetic surgery to please even a loved one usually leads to disappointment. The cosmetic surgeon wants to ensure that you:

- Are in general good health
- Enjoy elastic skin
- Have good self-esteem
- Already reached weight loss goals
- Possess realistic expectations

While smoking does not necessarily preclude you from being a good candidate for liposuction, you would need to quit for several weeks prior to surgery and remain smoke free afterwards. Most physicians will not be comfortable with performing liposuction on smokers because of the effects on healing afterwards.

Procedure
Despite how liposuction is depicted in Hollywood, it is not a magical weight loss option, but if you have pockets of excess fat that are resistant to diet and exercise, you may be a good candidate for liposuction. Only 5 liters of fat can safely be removed at one time, amounting to approximately 2 pounds. Liposuction can be performed by itself, or in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures like breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, or face-lifts.

During tumescent liposuction, the most common procedure, a solution of saline with local anesthetic and vaso-constrictors is injected into the treatment area. The fluid volume is 2-3 times as much as the fat to be removed. This helps expand the fat cells making them easier to remove.

After allowing the solution to sit for a short time, the doctor inserts a small cannula, a vacuum tube, into the treatment area and proceeds with removing the fat and the fluid. The cannula helps break up the fat as it moves around and the doctor will work on specific areas to help sculpt and shape the area to make it more appealing.

Complications
Liposuction is an invasive surgical procedure. As with all surgeries, there are certain risks and complications, which should be taken into consideration when deciding if you are a good candidate for liposuction. Some of these complications include,

- Anesthesia complications
- Bleeding
- Unevenness in results
- Infection
- Pain

After the surgery, there will be some pain, which is often controlled with over the counter or prescription medications. The wounds are typically left open and covered with a dressing to allow any excess fluid to drain. Expect to be off work for a few days post operation, with a full recovery in approximately two weeks.

To find out more about liposuction, and how liposuction can help you achieve your aesthetic appearance goals, please visit www.doctorangelchik.com today, serving patients in and around Phoenix, Arizona.