Liposuction, or "liposuction" for short, is a fat removal procedure used in plastic surgery. Despite being one of the most common cosmetic surgeries in the United States, there is evidence that the procedure is not effective in long-term weight loss. More importantly, liposuction does not improve obesity-related diseases. Studies have shown that although the fat cells removed by liposuction disappear permanently, the overall body fat level will return to the pre-surgery state after a few months, which makes many people question the true effectiveness of liposuction.
Liposuction can be divided into two main uses: cosmetic and reconstructive.
Cosmetic liposuction is primarily used to improve body contours and should not be considered a means of weight loss. Most of the benefits from cosmetic liposuction are short-term, with minimal long-term effects.
In some cases, medically necessary reconstructive liposuction is used to treat chronic conditions such as fat deposition or lymphedema. In these cases, liposuction may not only be performed for aesthetic reasons, but also to address the patient's health concerns.
With the advancement of technology, there are now many types of liposuction techniques, including water-assisted liposuction, ultrasound-assisted liposuction and laser-assisted liposuction. But the use of different techniques does not mean they will be effective in all patients.
Regardless of the technique used, the safety of liposuction varies depending on the volume of surgery, the area of surgery, and the experience of the surgeon.
Although liposuction surgery is generally considered safe, there are several risks that may occur after the procedure. "For example, hematoma, inflammation or even fat embolism may occur, which could have serious consequences."
Experts recommend that patients carefully evaluate the risks of liposuction surgery and fully communicate with the doctor who provides the surgery before considering it.
Before choosing liposuction surgery, you should pay attention to the possible complications of various surgeries, including pain, swelling, and skin necrosis. These conditions not only affect recovery time, but some may even cause lasting health problems.
Many American patients choose to have surgery in other countries in order to reduce costs, but this choice is actually fraught with potential dangers. According to the CDC, as many as 93 U.S. citizens died from cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic between 2009 and 2022.
Liposuction surgery has its own advantages and disadvantages for different patient groups, and it is difficult to generalize. Even with the most advanced liposuction technology, proper patient selection and post-operative management are critical.
For someone who chooses liposuction surgery, the real question that needs to be reflected upon is: Am I only seeking a temporary change in appearance while ignoring the more important health and safety?