Liposuction is a surgical technique wherein a small hollow tube called a canula is introduced into the tissue beneath the skin and extra fatty tissue removed by suctioning. Prior to development of this technique, large incisions were required which often resulted in more extensive scars of the skin than were desirable. The fat cells that are removed do not regrow so the tissue removed does not regrow. Liposuction is best used for reduction of fatty deposits resulting in contour deformities and not for weight loss. People of normal weight often have these deposits that are resistant to both dieting and to exercise. A common site in women is the hip area or the area of the lower abdomen. A common site in men is a double chin deformity. Liposuction is done like all other surgery and the risk is not felt to be increased over other surgeries. There have been cases in which an extremely large amount of fatty tissue was removed at one time causing development of problems, some of them very serious. Removal of more conservative amounts of tissue would not cause those types of problems.

There is considerable soreness after liposuction but not a lot of aching pain. Some bruising usually occurs and lasts ten to eighteen days. Often a tight elastic support garment is worn for several weeks after liposuction. A person should be moving about the day following liposuction.

For those people of normal or near normal weight who have contour deformities of a certain area or areas of the body, liposuction offers a chance not available by any other method to improve those deformities without leaving extensive scars of the skin.

Smaller deformities can be done under local anesthesia, often in the office. Larger deformities require use of day surgical facility.

Often the fatty tissue to be removed is distended with surgical fluid to facilitate its ease in removal.