Lipo

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This surgical technique improves the body's contour by removing excess fat from deposits located between the skin and muscle. Lipo has become the most popular cosmetic surgery in the world.

Though men and women both young and old have lipo for many different reasons, the psychological benefit from this cosmetic procedure results in a greater confidence and self-esteem. This is the case, for example, of many women who find it hard to lose fat after giving birth.

What Is Lipo?

Liposuction is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the world.

Simply put, Lipo (also known as lipoplasty and suction lipectomy) is a surgery that removes fat from a specific location in the body. Although the word "Lipo" literally means the suction of fat, there are many techniques available today, including a few which do not require suction of any kind.

This treatment is an effective way to get rid of stubborn fat and get back your silhouette. Today, there are many different forms of lipo and different means to remove unwanted fat from various regions of your anatomy. The suctioned fat cells are permanently gone. However, if the patient does not maintain a proper diet and exercise regimen and gains considerable weight, the remaining fat cell neighbors could still enlarge, creating irregularities.

Lipo is the preferred elective cosmetic procedure chosen by millions of people to enhance the contours of the body and improve physical appearance.

In most cases, this is considered an elective cosmetic procedure, meaning it is voluntary rather than medically necessary, and performed for the sake of improving the appearance. Because of this, most insurance companies will refuse to cover even a portion of the cost of Lipo, meaning that prospective patients will need to be able to pay for their procedure on their own, whether in one lump sum or in a series of payments arranged by the clinic.

Occasionally Lipo may be considered medically necessary, as when it is used as part of a reconstructive surgery, such as breast reconstruction after a full or partial mastectomy. There is also some evidence Lipo may reduce the impact of certain weight-related diseases, such as metabolic syndrome or type II diabetes. However, this surgery cannot remove large amounts of fat at a time, so it cannot help much with general obesity. In these cases, several treatments may be needed in order to achieve the desired results.

How Does Lipo Work?

The main concept behind this surgery is very simple, excess fat is removed thought a tube called a cannula In a typical case, a prospective patient will meet with his or her surgeon for an initial consultation weeks or even months before the actual procedure will be performed.

Generally, this procedure is considered a low risk surgery but in order to it to be successful you have to choose a surgeon who is experienced in this procedure. During this consultation, they decide on a specific target area (or a few areas) from which the patient would like to have fat removed. On the day of surgery, the patient comes in and gets the target area numbed, usually through local anesthetic.

During the Lipo surgery, the surgeon makes small incisions in the skin overlying the target area. Then he or she inserts a sort of special hollow tube called a cannula. In most types of Lipo the cannula is vacuum powered, and it suctions fat from the body as the Lipo surgeon moves it back and forth through the fatty tissue.

The exact particulars of the surgery and recovery depend somewhat on the technique which the operating surgeon chooses to use. The most common technique is called the tumescent method. The tumescent Lipo method was developed during the mid 80's, and it is performed by injecting large amounts of fluids into the target area. These fluids include anesthetic and medicines that help to reduce blood loss. The insertion of these fluids causes the fatty tissue to "tumesce" or become firm and swollen. After the surgery, these fluids gradually drain from the body over the course of a few to several days.

A number of other Lipo techniques have been developed in the relatively recent past, each using a different form of technology to assist in the removal of fat. Laser lipolysis uses surgical lasers to melt fat, making it easier to suction out. Ultrasonic assisted Lipo (UAL) uses ultrasonic waves to achieve a similar effect; however, many doctors now feel that UAL is unsafe because it can cause burns. Power assisted Liposuction uses a special cannula that moves on its own, which saves effort for the surgeon. Some of the most recent advances include water assisted Lipo (WAL), which uses jets of water to loosen fatty tissue, and the custom acoustic method, which uses infrasonic waves to break up fat. All of these techniques have pros and cons, and many of them are discussed in further depth on other pages of this site.

Do I Need Lipo?

Although many advertisements try to convince their audiences otherwise, the truth is very few people actually need Lipo for medical reasons-that's why it's classified as an elective procedure.

However, many people can receive aesthetic benefits from Lipo. For many of these people, this surgery gives benefits of comfort and improved appearance. In some cases, this improved appearance and increased degree of comfort after a Lipo procedure substantially improve the quality of one's life.

Although much of the advertising targets the female demographic, most people-men and women--will have one or two areas treated with Lipo where they store a little more fat than they want, even if they lead relatively healthy lifestyles. Because men's bodies are different from women's, the most commonly treated body areas are different for men and women. The most popular target areas for Lipo among women are the abdomen, breasts, hips and thighs. Most men, on the other hand, are genetically predisposed to carry excess weight around their waists in "love handles", or on their necks, chins, and jowls, or on their chests, resulting in the infamous "man boobs".

For these people, Lipo can be a good choice, because it is frequently very effective in targeting those specific areas, along with others which are usually hard to entirely reshape through healthy living.

Lipo is less well suited for total body weight loss, though, because safety reasons make it difficult for a surgeon to remove more than ten pounds total at any one time.

One of the few times when this procedure is actually medically advisable comes when a woman has excessively large breasts. If a woman has extremely large and heavy breasts and if she cannot lose weight in them through diet and exercise, then the weight of them can sometimes lead to pain in the neck, shoulders and back. In these circumstances, even insurance companies frequently agree that a Lipo is worthwhile.

Lipo: Taking The Next Step

If you are considering Liposuction, you should know that nearly every clinic or doctor offers the first consultation for free, without any obligation to continue with treatment thereafter.

Scheduling a few of these free consultations for yourself with clinics in your area can be a good way to familiarize yourself with the procedures, ask any questions you may have, and compare Lipo prices.

The Lipo consultation also gives you a chance to meet with your surgeon and his team face to face and learn more about their qualifications. To find a qualified doctor in your area, use our doctor locator.

Each doctor has its own preferences about the Lipo method to be used and also, the doctor's skills and experience can vary greatly from one to another. It is recommended to request to see some Lipo before and after pictures to make sure the quality of their work is up to your standards. Additionally, make sure that you meet your doctor during your initial consultation and ask him or her about the number of procedures that they have performed; or for how many years they have been performing Lipo.

Remember that as the patient, it is your right to ensure you're getting the best Lipo treatment possible. It is also very important to make sure that you feel comfortable with your doctor and that you are able to speak with him or her about your questions, expectations and concerns before getting Lipo.

Finding the right doctor for you can greatly improve your changes of a successful outcome and smooth recovery after getting Lipo.

Body Areas That Can Be Treated with Lipo

The body areas that can be treated with liposuction include:

• Neck and Jowls
• Arms
• Abdomen
• Buttocks
• Hips
• Inner and Outer Thighs (saddle bags or riding breeches on women)
• Knees
• Legs
• Flanks (love handles on men)
• Enlarged Male Breasts (gynecomastia)

Lipo can also be used in the treatment of a number of medical conditions, as well as aid in the performance of other, non-cosmetic surgical procedures. This surgery is not considered a weight loss method nor it is a cure for obesity. This is a surgical procedure designed to sculpt a patient's body and remove excess localized fat.

It is important that patients have realistic expectations about their lipo results.

During your consultation, the surgeon will review your medical history and determine your health and if you are a good candidate for lipo. Usually, the fatty deposits are determined genetically and may not respond to diet or exercise, so this procedure may be the only way to eliminate them.

How Long Does Lipo Surgery Take?

The lipo effect is a permanent one and lasts even if the body tends to accumulate fat again, the fat tends not to go back to the areas treated.

The procedure will range from 30 minutes to a few hours to complete depending on the extent of the procedure and the number of areas treated. The individual needs of each patient influences the operation duration as well. Almost all patients are able to go home on the day of the surgery but some remain in the hospital for one or two days especially if they had additional procedures performed or if their medical history indicates that they need additional care.

Lipo Guide provides prospective patients, like you, a place to learn about this procedure, the latest techniques and a surgeon's directory to help you find the right specialist near you.

Lipo is performed for the purpose of enhancing a person's appearance. Everyday different techniques are improved to give patients better results with less downtime and inconvenience.

Today, the power of the Internet lets you keep up with everything you ever wanted to know about lipo. Find out if you are a good candidate for lipo now!

When you are totally informed and want to find a doctor in your area, click on "Find a lipo doctor" and choose your state and/or city. You'll then see a list of doctors in your area. Make sure to read their credentials, visit their website, learn about the procedure they perform and see pictures of their office and patients. You can also take advantage of the different lipo related sections on our site to answer all your questions about the lipo procedure that you may have.

Lipo Recovery

After surgery, a compression garment which can easily be removed by the patient is worn for one to a few weeks.

Depending on the extent of the lipo surgery, patients are generally able to return to work between two days or a week. Most people are completely back to normal within a couple of months.

Any pain after surgery is controlled by a prescription or over-the-counter medication, and the length of their use depends on the particular procedure and the patient's pain threshold. Bruising and swelling are common after this surgery. The bruising will fade after a few days or maybe as long as two weeks later. The swelling will subside in anywhere from two weeks to two months, while numbness may last for several weeks as it slowly fades away.

Normal activity can be resumed anywhere from several days to several weeks after the procedure, depending on the extent of the procedure and the number of areas treated. The final result will be evident anywhere from one to six months after surgery, although the patient will see noticeable difference within days or weeks of the surgery.

After your surgery you will have follow-up visits with your doctor to check on your progress.

Am I A Good Candidate For Lipo Surgery?

Lipo surgery may be considered to treat areas of excess fat in the stomach, buttocks, hips, love handles, saddlebags, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts (including male breast enlargement), back, arms and neck Lipo is equally effective in both men and women.

If you are otherwise healthy, but need help getting rid of fat that will not respond to diet and exercise, then you are probably a good candidate. Lipo is not a treatment for obesity or for people who just want to use this surgery as a means to lose weight.

Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for this surgery:

• You have areas of fat deposits that are out of proportion with the rest of your body and do not go away with other methods like diet and exercise.
• The areas with the localized fat have minimal amounts of excess skin and good skin elasticity.

This is a procedure that removes fat. In case of excess skin additional procedures may be needed. Newer types of this procedure also promote skin tightening versus older techniques.

Lipo is great method to remove the unwanted fat that refuses to go away, even after diet and working out. Many people can receive permanent benefits from lipo, but they have to be healthy to have surgery.

Although it is a minimally invasive procedure, and there are not major concerns or side effects, lipo is still a surgery that carries minor risks. It is important to share all of your medical conditions and concerns with your surgeon prior to the surgery. In addition, if you are taking any medications, let your surgeon know. You will need to follow a list of surgery guidelines, to ensure you heal properly and quickly. Physical ailments and unhealthy lifestyle can greatly impact the outcomes of surgery.

As with all medical procedures, a consultation with a local lipo surgeon is crucial and will help you to find out if you are a good candidate based in your health history, weight, and other basic factor the doctor will discuss with you during your visit.

Lipo should leave a positive impression on your life. Patients love the results and feel better about their image after liposuction. People who struggle with bulging bellies, "man boobs" lumpy backs and bra bulges, flabby upper arms, thunder thighs, chin waddles, love handles, saddle bags, double chins, muffin tops and saggy knees - all benefit from this surgery. Lipo is very effective in targeting those specific areas, along with others which are usually hard to entirely reshape through healthy living.

The results of this surgery are usually long-lasting, but they may be affected by weight gain, aging, pregnancy and lifestyle factors.

Lipo Guide

Before the operation, the patient would like to talk with the surgeon concerning the technique, risks, preparation, qualification, even insurance coverage and other issues.

Lipo guide is dedicated to liposuction only. Our goal is to provide patients the most complete and quality lipo information on the Web. You will also find useful tools and resources on our site to help you understand how this procedure is performed and to help you know what it can achieve.

Our Lipo Guide will help you learn all about the lipo procedure. This site facilitates the search for the right surgeon near you, with the main information about the procedure and the doctors. To use our search options, click on a state on the map. A list of doctors in the selected area will be displayed. These are top professionals experienced different types of liposuction.

ipo Guide offers valuable information, resources and links to experienced physicians. Compare doctors, facilities, before and after photos and testimonials provided by their patients to show their happiness the results of their lipo procedures. If you consider yourself a potential candidate for lipo surgery and would like to know more, we invite you to visit the different sections of this site.

Use our lipo surgeon directory to find a specialist near you!