Body Contouring Surgery Like Liposuction And Abdominoplasty Are Performed To Create A Better Contour

A lipoplasty procedure is performed to remove localized areas of fat that surround the abdomen, upper arms, buttocks, hips, thighs, neck, calves, and knees. Patients who receive liposuction surgery are typically looking to improve the contours of their figure - both out of and in clothing. The cosmetic surgery procedure itself is performed with a thin metal tube that is called a cannula. This tube is inserted underneath the patient's skin and is used to vacuum fat away from specific irregular contours on one's body.

At a plastic surgeon's practice, liposculpture is able to be done with just a cannula alone, however, a solution will frequently be injected under the skin into the layer of fat. This will minimize several things including bleeding, bruising, and post-operative care that is sometimes associated with liposuction surgery. This technique is called the tumescent liposuction technique, although the volume of solution that is injected will determine whether it is really tumescent liposuction or the "super-wet technique." The newest development in liposuction is the ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), which also uses solution injection, but utilizes a cannula that emits ultrasonic waves that "melt" away fat. It is important that you recognize that liposuction surgery is not a weight loss method, but rather is best considered for a patient that is at or at least very close to the ideal weight for their body.

Another common body contouring procedure is abdominoplasty. This surgery, often referred to as a tummy tuck, is created to correct one's protruding abdomen that is a result from excess skin and weak abdominal muscles. These problems are typically a result of weight gain, prior surgery, or multiple pregnancies. The abdominal musculature will usually have been stretched and will not respond well at all to exercise. The goal of abdominoplasty surgery is to achieve a flatter, narrower abdomen. Like liposuction procedures, a tummy tuck surgery is not a substitute for weight loss. Also just like lipoplasty, patients who are on a weight loss plan should be very close to their target weight before they receive this surgery.

The surgery will most commonly be performed by making a U-shaped incision below one hip bone and going across the pubis area to the other hip bone. Excess skin and fat will be removed and loose stretched out muscles will be tightened with stitches. A mini-abdominoplasty will tighten the lower abdominal wall which will result in a shorter scar whereas an extended tummy tuck will tighten the abdomen and sides and will result in a longer scar. This scar will extend around the flanks onto the lower back. Although the recovery period will be longer than most other cosmetic surgery procedures, the rewards from an abdominoplasty are great for any patient who was previously concerned about their protruding abdomen.