Abdominal liposuction

Abdominal liposuction , in other words, lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, is a common surgical cosmetic procedure that helps to sculpt one’s body by removing unwanted fat from the abdomen. It is one of the most popular plastic surgery in the United States of America. It is not, however, a substitute for diet and this surgery does not lower the body weight, it only removes fat that is resistant to diet or different forms of exercise.

Abdominal liposuction

Many people all over the world suffer from fat accumulation on their bellies. This accumulation may be inherited or gained, due to overweight or after pregnancy. People try to change this by excessive exercise and diet. Even though people lose weight they might find themselves disappointed about not having their abdomens look flat. This gives an unbalanced look due to protruding belly because of fatty tissue accumulation on it. Luckily, abdominal liposuction , including new techniques, such as, the tumescent liposuction , ultrasonic-assisted suction liposuction , and super-wet technique, helps to get rid of unwanted fat on the belly and get a great and balanced new look.

Abdominal liposuction surgery

Before starting to plan one’s surgery, a person needs to find out if he/she is suitable for abdominal liposuction. One should bear in mind that the higher the goal, the greater participation of the patient is needed. If a person wants the abdomen to look flat and athletic, one will have to put some efforts in specific exercise. It is also important to have realistic expectations, since this cosmetic surgery will change the appearance of one’s body and might even raise one’s self-esteem it will not, however, change other people’s opinion towards a patient.

People, who want to have abdominal liposuction, should be in a good physical and psychological condition. In order to achieve better results, a person should also be of normal weight, have firm skin of a good elasticity. Therefore even though a patient’s age is not a limit, younger people tend to experience more significant results post-operatively than the older ones. Additional diseases or conditions, such as, diabetes, heart or lung disorders, may add a greater risk to such patients.

A doctor will give specific instructions on diet and smoking before surgery. Usually surgeons ask their patients to quit smoking for two weeks prior to and after the procedure. Abdominal liposuction is most often performed in an out-patient department but, if larger amount of fat needs to be removed, the surgery might be carried out in a hospital. Abdominal liposuction is a procedure, during which a small incision is made usually in the belly button or in the bikini area and a small cannula is inserted into the fat layer underneath the abdominal skin. This tube or cannula is used to break up the fatty deposits on the belly and remove them by a powerful vacuum pump. The surgeon removes unwanted fat and sculpts the area of the abdomen. A small incision is them stitched and they tend to be nearly invisible. The surgery lasts from 1 to 2 hours depending on the amount of fat removed.

Suction lipectomy methods

Various suction lipectomy methods slightly differ from one another. During super-wet liposuction a fluid containing a saline solution and adrenaline is injected into the fat deposit area, which helps to break the fat tissue easier and reduces bleeding in the surgical area. Tumecent technique also involves injection of fluid but in larger quantities and has similar advantages. The most recent method, ultrasound assisted liposuction applies ultrasound waves to break the fatty tissue but uses regular ways to remove it from the abdomen.

After abdominal liposuction

Patients should not expect to gain a great new look straight after the plastic surgery . Healing is a continuous process and, therefore, some discomfort, swelling, bruising, and pain may be apparent post-operatively. These symptoms usually last for 3 to 6 weeks but swelling might be present for half a year. A patient is able to return to work and normal activities within two weeks but exhausting activities should be avoided for about four weeks. Cosmetic results should be visible within a month or 6 weeks after surgery. And final contour will be apparent within three months post-operatively when most of the swelling disappears.

Abdominal liposuction side-effects

Even though abdominal liposuction is not a very complicated plastic surgery procedure, as with all surgery, it has certain risks. Complications are rare but still possible. One of the most common complications is infection. Clot formation, delay in heeling are also possible. Although ultrasound assisted technique is considered to be a safer option, long-term results are yet not known. The risk of drug reactions is possible in people who are allergic to certain substances. And although scars are usually invisible after abdominal liposuction , some irregularities or even asymmetry of the treated area is possible, particularly in older patients or those with low skin elasticity.

Abdominal liposuction cost

The cost of the procedure depends upon the extent of the surgery, technique used, and clinic. It also may differ in various regions. The average price varies from $3,000 to $6,500.

The results of abdominal liposuction are long-lasting, since fat cells from a certain area are removed during the procedure. However, additional weight gain might lead to accumulation of fat in the close areas resulting in uneven look and contour. But if a person continues with regular exercises and healthy diet, the results of the surgery should be satisfying for a long time post-operatively.