Liposuction is a surgical procedure with all the complications and health risks that go along with that. And, as more than a few people will attest, there is a chance you won’t achieve cosmetically acceptable results. Proceed with caution. Before you submit, get the facts and, most important, make sure you are in good hands.
To perform liposuction, a doctor inserts a blunt-ended metal tube, called a cannula, through a small incision in the skin, and then tunnels repeatedly under the skin in a radiating pattern to dislodge and remove fatty tissue. The cannula is connected by a plastic hose to a vacuum aspirator, which suctions out the fat, which is mingled with blood and body fluids.
The procedure can be done under local or general anesthesia. Usually, an intravenous line drips a glucose solution into your arm during the 30 to 90 minutes it takes for the surgery. Afterwards, you must wear support garments. Such as a girdle or chin strap, depending on the liposuction site, for a few weeks. This helps prevent dimpling by smoothing out the fat that remains under your skin. If your thighs, buttocks, or hips are suctioned, you may not be able to walk or sit comfortably for a few days. Bruising, selling, and some pain may linger for up to three months.