A great deal of controversy surrounds the concept of a technique similar to liposuction called “liposculpture” (for more information read: What is Liposculpture?) On the one hand, it can be seen as an art form that is beneficial for the customer in that it helps to enhance their self-esteem. What may seem superficial to one person can seem empowering to another. Few people that choose to see a qualified liposculpture surgeon will tell you that they are doing so because they feel that what is on the outside is more important than what is on the inside.
It’s far more likely that they will tell you they are doing so because they want to look on the outside the way that they feel on the inside, or because they are tired of feeling judged. On the other hand, plastic surgery can become an addiction for some. Liposculpture can also lead to some troubling complications. Roughly one in a thousand patients who undergo liposculpture will experience serious complications. With this in mind, if you choose to look for a liposculpture surgeon, here are a few things to look for.
What the Best Liposculpture Surgeons Should Be Like
Your surgeon should view the process as an art form. Liposculpture should not be viewed simply as a process of taking as much fat as possible out of the body. Where they choose to eliminate excess fat, and the amount that they take out should be very carefully chosen. The goal is not just to lose weight, but to shape your body into the form that is best suited for your purposes. In some cases you may even want to consider fat injections.
How seriously your surgeon takes these issues is a very important part of the process. Make sure your doctor is eager to work with you in deciding what your ideal outcome is. If your surgeon is intent on selling you on a body plan, or doesn’t seem to care much about what you’ll look like when the process is finished, it’s time to move on to somebody else.
Liposcupture Surgeons Should Be Chosen Carefully
Liposculpture surgery is not a casual operation and has the potential to cause serious problems. There can be allergic reactions to medications used during surgery, infections, skin damage, damage beneath the skin, skin death, internal organ puncture, bumpy or withered skin, fat embolisation, burns, lidocaine toxicity, and fluid imbalances. The long list of potential problems shouldn’t be taken as an indication that such problems are common, in fact they are fairly rare, and have decreased dramatically in number since the 1990s when attention was brought to bear on the subject.
The point is that even though liposculpture surgery is undergone for cosmetic purposes and not to correct any medical problems, it poses just as much risk to the patient as any other serious operation. Your surgeon should be very upfront about the risks of liposculpture. They should take your health very seriously and make every effort to learn as much as they can about your medical background. If one surgeon refuses to perform the operation on you for medical reasons, it is strongly advised that you don’t look for somebody else who will.
Understand The Liposculpture Process
Before choosing to search for a top liposculpture surgeon, you should know what liposculpture liposuction is, and what it isn’t. It is not a substitute for dieting. The purpose of the operation is primarily to reshape your body, not to reduce its overall weight. If you are not living a healthy lifestyle to begin with, the weight will just come back when you are finished. There are many different kinds of liposuction, but what works for one patient may not be right for another.
The skill of the surgeon is far more important than the type of operation, and any surgeon you speak with should emphasize this. Liposculpture will not bring you instant gratification. While the process is fast, it is not overnight. You will see a noticeable difference two days after the surgery is performed, when the dressing comes off, but the real changes to your body won’t be fully visible for up to a year after the operation.
When You Have Chosen a Good Liposculpture Surgeon
Once you have chosen a surgeon, here is what you can expect when you undergo a liposculpture procedure. You and your doctor should discuss beforehand what the outcome of the procedure will look like. On the day of the operation you will sign a consent form. An hour or so before surgery, sometimes after the operation, you will be given an antibiotic to protect you from possible infections during the surgery. The areas of the body that you have chosen to have sculpted will be marked off while you are in a standing position.
Often times photos will be taken at this point so that you can see what you look like before and after the procedure. Once you are in the operating room, a sterilizing solution will be applied to the areas of your body that the fat will be removed from. This will protect you from any bacteria or viruses that could get into your body during surgery. A local anesthetic will be injected, and you may be given a sedative if you wish to have one. At each point in the body where the fat will be removed, a small incision is made, about a quarter of an inch.
What To Expect During Liposculpture Surgery
Since you will be losing body fluid, you will most likely be given an IV to keep you hydrated. You will have devices attached to keep track of your blood pressure, heart rate, and the oxygen in your blood. You should only feel a scraping sensation as the tube collects the fat from your body. You should be able to get up and walk around the same day of the surgery as long as you aren’t given global anesthetic, but you should not drive yourself home.
Choosing to work with a liposculpture surgeon should not be taken lightly, but if you decide that it is right for you than there is certainly no need to get anxious about the procedure. As long as you approach the subject as carefully and deliberately as any operation you would have done on your body, you can rest assured that you have made the decision that is best for you.