LIPOSUCTION: A BOOM TO MEDICAL SCIENCE
LIPOSUCTION, which was earlier known as “lipoplasty” or “suction lipectomy”,
is a surgical technique which aims at sculpting the body by removing excess fat deposits just beneath the skin and improving the body’s contour. It is a dream come true for many as it involves eliminating stubborn and exercise-resistant fats from many areas like abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. These fats accumulate in the skin and can be felt by pinching.
Dr. Gorgio Fischer, a famous gynecologist gave birth to the concept of
liposuction in Rome, Italy in 1974. He brought revolution in this field by discovering the method of removing fat through tiny incisions using gynecological tool. That is how he started this marathon in which today many nations are participating which are well versed in plastic surgery including US
Since this surgery was not of much success in its initial phase due to considerable blood loss and subsequent deaths therefore Dr. Jeffrey Klein and Dr. Patrick Lillis refined the
procedure further by inventing tumescent anesthesia in 1985. A few modifications afterwards have made tumescent liposuction the most popular cosmetic procedure performed in the United States today. Also it is the safest surgery known till date. With the convenience of both internal and external ultrasonic liposuction in the late 1990's, initial hopes of increased fat removal suddenly roses but fell short of expectations due to almost nil clinical advantage. Only few surgeons now perform ultrasonic liposuction
One cannot say that it is a weight reduction technique, as it merely helps in reshaping one's figure by selectively draining out unwanted fatty deposits with the use of a small stainless steel tube, called a cannula. The cannula is connected to a powerful suction pump which creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers by which excessive fluid is drained out. After surgery, these tunnels collapse and thus result in an improved body contour.
It is often said that every coin has two sides. The same is the case with liposuction. Since it is a major surgery, there are negative aspects also. Unfortunately when a new procedure is introduced, improved or learned by the unskilled, the patient becomes the guinea pig Liposuction complications are often the direct result of lack of caution, poor judgment, over confidence, ignorance about pharmacology from the surgeon’s side. Excessive surgical trauma along with prolonged exposure to anesthesia is dangerous to human life.
Amongst them, most common are numbness and discomfort. Some other problems can also occur like fluid collections beneath the skin (seroma), skin breakdown and swelling. Other rare combinations are perforation of an internal organ, scarring, bleeding, infection and even death.
Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, it can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight-loss methods.
The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in your expectations.At last, it is not wrong to say that Liposuction is an art as it is a practical application of scientific knowledge and a perfection of workmanship.
WRITTEN BY MAGGI222