One of the most popular and common cosmetic surgery procedures is liposuction. A healthy diet and exercise program may still leave stubborn fat deposits in certain parts of the body in both women and men. These deposits may be genetic, and could be very difficult to remove despite a regimen of diet and exercise. Liposuction is a great solution to deal with those hard to remove pockets of fat.
Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits from those areas of the body. Also known as lipoplasty, or suction assisted lipectomy, this procedure is used to contour and shape specific areas. Patients often come in asking for several areas to be addressed, and though liposuction techniques may be used on several parts of the body, there are areas that liposuction is more effective in terms of seeing ultimate results.
The best spots for liposuction are the areas of the body where fat has collected in a pocket instead of being spread out through the muscle. These areas often include the abdomen, hips, waists, and thighs.
Tummy Liposuction
The most popular area for liposuction is the abdomen or the tummy; this includes both the upper and lower abdomen. The stomach is the part of the body that is most naturally predisposed for storing fat. Age has a tendency to cause this area to form fat deposits and bulge, and it is especially difficult for women to lose fat in this area after giving birth. Liposuction to the abdomen can smooth and flatten out the belly, especially the lower abdomen, resulting in a more lifted look that makes one’s waistband fit better.
Another popular area for liposuction is the lateral abdomen, which is the side of the body between the ribs and the hip, also called the “flanks.” This is also a very common area for fat pockets to form, especially in women. This difficult to deal with problem area is technically known as the “iliac,” and is found below the waistline for women, resulting in “love handles,” and above the waistline for men, resulting in “spare tires.” These bulges often result in an unpleasant “muffin top” appearance. Fortunately, liposuction of the flanks is a part of the body where small changes can result in a relatively dramatic change in one’s silhouette. Many patients find liposuction to this area to be very satisfying.
Thigh Liposuction
Liposuction to the thighs is another highly popular target area. For women, fat that collects in the thigh is largely determined by genetics, increases with age and can be resistant to exercise and dieting. To create a proportionate and aesthetically pleasing result, liposuction of the outer thigh is often combined with the inferior lateral buttock and the upper posterior thigh. In addition, hips are often combined with the outer thigh for ultimate results in creating a long slender look. Liposuction to the inner thigh can significantly improve the silhouette of the thigh and reduce the amount the legs rub together. Fat in the inner thighs has little fibrous tissue and is easily removed. A smaller cannula is often used to allow for fat to be removed in small incremental amounts. It is important for the surgeon not too “over liposuction” the outer and inner thigh. Doing so may result in contouring deformities, creating lumpiness and irregularity of shape.
Most patients elect to have liposuction to at least three areas of the body, though the number of areas that can be addressed depends greatly on how much fat is removed. When liposuction is performed, no more than 5 liters of fat should be removed from a patient at one time. When this number is exceeded, the complication rate rises dramatically. If more liposuction is needed, it is safest to break up the surgery into two parts.
The Best Candidates
It is important to note that liposuction is not a remedy for obesity, and should not be looked to as a replacement for a healthy diet and exercise program. It should also not be considered a weight loss surgery. For optimal results, candidates for liposuction should already be close to their ideal weight with firm and elastic skin.
For ideal candidates, liposuction may prove to be an effective solution for remedying areas of fat that are unable to be treated with diet and exercise alone. For more information on liposuction and other body contouring procedures, please visit www.kamranazadmd.com.
Dr. Kamran Azad is one of the few plastic surgeons in Southern California with additional aesthetic fellowship training. Dr. Azad specializes in Aesthetic Surgery of both the breast and body in Southern California. Dr. Azad was awarded his medical degree at the Chicago Medical School, where he graduated in the top 10% of his class. He completed his residency in General Surgery at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York, serving as Chief Resident his final year. He was then selected to complete his Plastic Surgery residency at the Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center in New York under the direction of Dr. Mark Sultan, Dr. Mark Smith, and Dr. Joseph Shin, one of the most rigorous and prestigious plastic surgery training programs in the Northeast.
Dr. Azad chose to then pursue a full year of additional training, focused exclusively on Cosmetic Surgery. He was selected to attend one of the most prestigious fellowship programs in Aesthetic Surgery at the Plastic Surgery Center in Sacramento, under the direction of Dr. Scott Green, Dr. Wayne Yamahata, and Dr. Debra Johnson. During this year, he was trained in the most advanced aesthetic surgical techniques of the face, breast, and body – a skillset that he offers to each and every one of his patients.
Dr. Azad is currently a candidate for membership in the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and also for membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He is affiliated with Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, CA.
