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Liposuction is the most popular form of cosmetic surgery among both men and women in the United States, with 301,882 procedures performed in 2007, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
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The number of liposuction procedures performed decreased 15 percent from 2000 to 2007, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
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Liposuction is an elective surgical procedure that contours the body.
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Liposuction is not a weight-loss technique.
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Body contour improvements produced by liposuction are permanent.
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Each person has a set number of fat cells and, when weight is gained, the size of the fat cells increase, but not the number. Liposuction works by removing some fat cells.
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The best candidates for liposuction are healthy, fit people within 30 percent of their ideal body weights with elastic skin who have isolated areas of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise.
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Irregularities in body contours and symmetry are possible common complications of liposuction that can require additional, touch-up surgery. Various studies in the medical literature have reported revision rates ranging from five to 20 percent, depending on the type of patient, the number of areas treated at one time and how much fat was removed.
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Like any surgery, liposuction carries risks, including death. When performed by experienced, skilled surgeons, life-threatening complications are extremely rare. Other complications, such as bleeding, excessive bruising, infection and pockets of fluid collection under the skin, occur in less than one percent of patients.
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Liposuction surgery to remove five liters or more of fat in one procedure is considered too risky by most surgeons.
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Author: Editorial Staff of the National Women's Health Resource Center