Liposuction Overview
Liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery designed to help remove excess fat deposits from certain areas of the body. Women are more apt to consider liposuction than men, as it helps to improve proportion, body contours, and most importantly, self-image and confidence. Liposuction is also known as lipoplasty and can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Who Benefits from Liposuction?
Many people, especially those heading toward middle-age, benefit from liposuction treatments that help to rid the body of excess pockets of fat that accumulate around the hips, abdomen, arms and buttocks. Rather than being used as a weight control or fitness method, liposuction addresses genetic traits toward excess fat deposits, and is often combined with other plastic surgery techniques such as a tummy tuck, breast reduction, or facelift procedures.

Patients considering liposuction should be aware that it is not considered a treatment for obesity or as a replacement for nutritious diets and adequate exercise. Liposuction will not remove cellulite or saggy skin. For optimal success of liposuction procedures, the best candidates are healthy men and women who are in generally good physical condition, and especially those within 30% of their ideal weight. Individuals who suffer from medical conditions or life-threatening illnesses are not good candidates for this procedure. 

Examples of Liposuction Techniques
The growing popularity of liposuction treatments has helped provide newer treatments and techniques that are less invasive. Basic liposuction with a fluid injection was the most commonly used technique until more recently developed and less invasive techniques were developed. 

The basic liposuction with fluid injection approach employed the use of a small tube or cannula inserted into the target area of the body through a small incision after the target area was injected in targeted areas to plump up areas surrounding fat cells. This tube is attached to what could literally be termed a vacuum. The tube is used to break up fat cells and extract them from the body by suctioning. However, this method is not as common as it used to be.  Instead, the following are the most popular techniques used today:
• Tumescent liposuction
• Super wet liposuction
• Ultrasound assisted liposuction
• Power assisted liposuction

Tumescent liposuction employs the use of a large amount of liquid to increase the space between muscle and fat tissues in the target area. This technique gives the plastic surgeon greater range of motion with the cannula to break up fat cells in order to facilitate their removal from the body. This type of liposuction generally takes 2 1/2 to 4 hours, depending on the area of the body being targeted.

The super wet liposuction method is performed under sedation and use of a local anesthetic, or through complete and anesthesia. This technique is performed in 1 to 3 hours, again depending on the size of the area being treated. It also involves the use of fluids in approximately the same volume as the expected fat loss.

The ultrasound assisted liposuction, more commonly known as UAL, is a type of tumescent liposuction that involves the use of a special cannula that emits ultrasonic vibrations within the body to break up fat cells. This type of liposuction is best used in less fatty areas such as the male chest and upper back.

Power assisted liposuction, known as PAL, also uses a special cannula. This method provides mechanical movements by the cannula, which reduces the number and size of movements the surgeon must make manually. This procedure is the most comfortable for patients, due to the limited motion of the cannula.

Cost Considerations
The cost of liposuction surgery depends on the area of the body as well as the amount of fat that needs to be removed. Larger areas cost more. For example, the cost of liposuction to the lower abdomen costs around $2,000 in the United States. Add the upper abdomen, and the cost may reach $3,000. Liposuction to the outer thighs may cost $1,600 each, and total costs will combine all targeted areas. Medical tourists may benefit through plastic surgery centers in Argentina, where charges costs are less, generally under $3,000, which in many cases includes lodging. Liposuction in India costs one tenth of what it costs in the United States.

Patients should be advised the cost of liposuction is also determined by the size of the patient, the amount of time as well as effort required by the surgeon to perform the procedure, and any laboratory fees, anesthesia services, and operating or outpatient service costs.

Who Performs Liposuction Procedures?
Any surgeon who performs liposuction should be a certified plastic or cosmetic surgeon. Surgeons should be trained in all types of plastic surgery procedures and have completed at least five years of training. Surgeons specializing in different liposuction procedures and methods should be certified by boards of plastic or cosmetic surgery in their country of origin.