Lipo Boom Reality

Are you feeling down and out? Do you feel even worse when you look in the mirror? Cosmetic surgeons tell us you are not alone. They say the popularity of reality television shows like ABC TV's "Extreme Makeover" has led to an increasing boom in cosmetic surgery. You may be one of the many people who are not happy with the way you look. Look in the mirror right now and tell me what you see. Do you see flabby thighs, a sagging chin or a tubby tummy? If so, then liposuction could be just what the doctor ordered.

Liposuction is also known in the medical arena as lipoplasty or "lipo" for short. Lipo surgically removes excess fat from deposits beneath the skin in many areas of the body. The procedure sounds like it hurts. Surgeons use a hollow stainless steel tube called a cannula. The cannula is hooked up to a vacuum. It is inserted into an incision in the skin. Fat deposits are then gently sucked out of the body.

"It didn't hurt at all," says 25-Year old Jenn Rogers. Rogers is the mother of three year old twins. She decided to have lipo to get her post baby abdomen back. She says, "I tried so hard through exercise and diet to do it. But, nothing I tried would work." Liposuction is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery for that very reason. It targets the areas of fat we'd like to shoot away. It is commonly used to reduce fat in the abdomen, hips, butt, thighs, chin, neck, back, chest and arms. Can you believe that doctors also use lipo on the knees, ankles and calves? As you can see, liposuction will work on just about anywhere you see fat and want to hide it!

It sounds like it hurts, doesn't it? Well, the amount of pain depends on individual circumstances. Liposuction can be achieved painlessly by local or general anesthesia. However doctors consider liposuction a mild surgical procedure. It is performed using a general or local anesthesia. A heavy IV sedation is also used in some cases. Recent advances have done a lot to ease the pain. Doctors can now precisely target fat areas which help to reduce recovery times. Despite the recent popularity, lipo has actually been around for more than a decade. "I had my first liposuction in 1992. It was before anyone even knew about it. I wanted to reduce the signs of aging in my face," says retired school teacher, 69 Year Old Rebecca Long. The grandmother of three has had three additional procedures since then. She laughs, "People now confuse my daughter with being my sister. I don't know if that's good for her, or bad!"

You may be wondering whether liposuction is for you. Some folks figure if they have the greenbacks then they can do it. But, whether you have the money to pay for it is just one of the factors you should consider. It is important that a surgeon be board certified for the technique that they are going to use. You'll want to look at his or her experience and safety record.

Liposuction is not risk free. There are many things that can go wrong. Complications can occur due to a poor judgment on the part of the doctor. The better educated you are on the procedure, the greater you chances of spotting a problem before it occurs. You should be concerned about disfiguring skin irregularities that can occur if the surgeon tries to take too much fat away in one procedure. The use of a large cannula can also affect the outcome of your procedure.

Large cannula's remove fat quickly. However, they are more likely to lead to skin irregularities then small cannulas do. Small cannulas are less than 3 millimeters in diameter. There's a strong chance you'll need a large cannula depending on the amount of fat you need taken away. Surgeons use the small cannula's during the Tumescent Procedure. The American Medical Association says this technique when used with local anesthesia is the safest. Under this method, the diluted local anesthesia lasts for hours reducing the need for narcotic pain relief. Doctors say there have been no reported deaths under this procedure. In addition, even if it's used with general anesthesia, Tumescent Procedure is safe if there's no large fat removal.

There is another surgical method that utilizes a modified version of the Tumescent Procedure. This modified version combines local anesthesia with general anesthesia or IV sedation. General anesthesia and IV sedation may be dangerous when used alone, just imagine the danger when they're put together. As a result, an anesthesiologist must be on hand to handle the administration.

You'll also want to make sure that you don't have any other surgical procedures the same day as your liposuction. You'll want to avoid long term exposure to anesthesia because it's dangerous. Taking away a large amount of fat can lead to serious complications. Also, removing an excessive amount from too many areas can also be dangerous. You'll also want to make sure that you don't have any other surgical procedures the same day as your liposuction. Healing can occur quickly thanks to all the advances in liposuction.

Liposuction recovery times are shorter today than a couple of decades ago. You can return to a normal lifestyle within four after surgery with most procedures. However, a little bit of local anesthetic remains in your system. It is later absorbed into the blood stream. Would you believe that draining the anesthetic solution out of your incision actually speeds your rate of healing? It also reduces swelling and bruising after surgery.

Drainage is also speeded up by leaving the incisions open instead of closing with sutures. Your surgeon can also make tiny holes in your skin to force drainage. Your surgeon may also encourage you to spandex clothes to promote more drainage. Your surgeon can also drain it through absorptive pads that are placed over your incisions. Despite the surgical concerns, liposuction is changing lives like Jenn and Rebecca's. It can improve body posture and image ultimately leading to a happier, healthier, you.

About The Author

Barry A. S. Lycka is an internationally known cosmetic dermatologist and surgeon who practices in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where he has worked from 1989. Recently, Dr. Lycka was chosen as Alberta's Dream Makeover Doctor. For more information you can visit his website at http://www.BarryLyckaMD.com.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Abs: How to Get a Sexy Six Pack?

There are many factors responsible for abdominal fat like processed... Read More

Weight Loss for Good ? The 80/20 Rule!

Have you ever thought, "I just can not seem to... Read More

New Hope for Attaining--and Maintaining--A Healthy Body Weight

The percentage of Americans who are overweight and obese is... Read More

For All Walks of Life

Why Walking Could Be the Solution to Your Fitness Dilemma.Walk,... Read More

How High-Carb Diet Plans Treat Carbohydrates

A number of popular diets are focused on carbohydrates. Some... Read More

Calculate Your BMI - Do You Need to Lose Weight?

There are a few different ways to determine if you... Read More

Dietary Weapons of Mass Distraction (WMD)

As hoards of low-carb proponents invade the nutritional landscape, the... Read More

Lose Weight - Diet Tips For Fast Weight Loss

Looking to lose weight quickly? The good news is that... Read More

LA Weight Loss Secrets ? High Profile Personal Trainer Shares the Magic Formula!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

Take The Die out Of Dieting - Tips For Stress Free Weight Loss

Not so resolved on that "New Year's Resolution" to be... Read More

The Papaya Diet: A Guaranteed Loser

Search Yahoo for "papaya" and "kirstie" and you'll find at... Read More

Is Body Mass Index or BMI a Real Measure of Obesity or is It Flawed?

Body Mass Index (bmi) A Misleading measure of ObesityMany professionals... Read More

Glycemic Index: A Magic Weight Loss Solution or a Soap Bubble Ready to Burst?

Glycemic index ranks different carbohydrate foods depending on their potential... Read More

A Clean Diet For Permanent Weight Loss

Getting Started on The Clean DietIf you want to lose... Read More

Fat Burners: The Biggest Rip-Off of the Weight Loss Industry?

Fat burners have become very popular in today's society, especially... Read More

The Mysterious Dr. Atkins Death

Dr. Atkins death was unexpected. On 8 April 2003, he... Read More

Weight Loss Secrets from Hollywood Movie Stars ? LA Personal Trainer Speaks Out!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

The Secret to Safe Weight Loss

The safe way to lose weight begins with a thorough... Read More

What Low Carb Dieters Should Know About Nitrates And Nitrites

Nitrates and nitrites are preservatives that are added to certain... Read More

Rating The Diets: A Mindless Exercise?

There has been a recent surge in the experts weighing... Read More

The Best Diet/Way To Lose Weight

The diet that worked for meI have had a lot... Read More

Lose Weight Permanently And Maximize Health With New Diet & Exercise Habits

I'm sick of all the fad diets I see people... Read More

Whats Wrong With Dr. Phils Food Plan?

I really like Dr. Phil, so I wanted to like... Read More

How I Easily Lost 21 lbs. in Just Weeks- Without Getting Hungry!

I was shocked. I started to cry...After the holidays, I... Read More

How To Maintain Your Ideal Weight

The main reasons most people have difficulty maintaining their ideal... Read More

Carb Crazed

Low Carb diets have become as popular as apple pie... Read More

Ephedra - Is It Safe And Effective?

Burn fat while you sleep! Eat whatever you want and... Read More

Running from the Fat Monster after Gastric Bypass

Many patients of gastric bypass report feeling fearful of succeeding... Read More

The Truth About Low Carb Dieting

Every day you walk down the street it is becoming... Read More

Weight Loss Surgery: A Last Resort

Thinking about weight loss surgery? You're not alone. Over two-thirds... Read More

How to Exercise and Lose Weight on a Busy Schedule

In my fitness consulting business, I get the opportunity to... Read More

Of Super Mice and Supermen- and the Magic Apples of Avalon

Recently, a Japanese study showed dramatic results of organ fat... Read More

Slimmer Legs... Stress-Free

Well, with the success of my article, "Wrinkle Remover That... Read More