by Heidi Labron

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

Liposuction is the new black! Although it has been around since 1974 when Dr. Giorgio Fischer first invented the technique, it has become one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States. People are turning to liposuction as a way to improve the look of their body when exercise can do no more for them in terms reducing fat in a particular area. With the popularity of makeover programs on television, more and more people are accepting liposuction as a way to achieve the prefect body. But how does it work and what exactly are the risks involved?

What is liposuction? It is the removal of fat deposits that sit just under the skin by making small incisions and placing tubes under the skin and sucking out the fat with special vacuums. This is known as ultrasonic liposuction. It is most often done now with just a local anesthesia, but sometimes does require an overnight stay if there is general anesthesia to be used.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction? There are many criteria involved in making the decision to have liposuction. Keep in mind that the primary focus on looking one's best is often what motivates a person to consider liposuction, but just being overweight does not actually make someone a good candidate. In all actuality, a person should already be near to their ideal weight as further removal of fat, as is the process of liposuction, will only leave loose skin if someone is not toned enough. Ideally, it is for the person who has found that diet and exercise are not enough to tone a certain area, such as the abdomen, and needs some fat removed in order to achieve a smooth look to the skin. That person should have good skin elasticity, no stretch marks and have held a stable weight for at least six months prior to surgery.

Those are the physical requirements, but there are also financial and mental considerations when opting for liposuction. Physically, this can be a large surgery for people, so they should be in good health and expect that there might be side effects to the surgery, which we'll make reference to later. However, someone wishing to undergo this treatment should also have very realistic expectations regarding the success of this procedure. It is not perfect and will not solve any underlying self-confidence issues. The patient must understand that this will improve their body, but if they have food issues, or body image problems, it might be wise to seek the help of a therapist or nutritionist at the very

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