LIPOSUCTION IMAGE
Liposuction is a surgical procedure intended to remove fat deposits and
shape the body. Fat is removed from under the skin with the use of a
vacuum-suction canula (a hollow pen-like instrument) or using an ultrasonic
probe that emulfsies (breaks up into small pieces) the fat and then removes it
with suction.
Persons with localized fat may decide to have liposuction to remove fat from
that area. Liposuction is a procedure for shaping the body and is not
recommended for weight loss.
Liposuction may be performed on the abdomen, hips, thighs, calves, arms,
buttocks, back, neck, or face. A liposuction procedure may include more than
one site, for instance, the abdomen, back, and thighs all on the same day.
Liposuction is also used to reduce breast size in men with large breasts
(gynecomastia) or to remove fat tumors (lipomas) but it is most commonly used
for cosmetic body shaping.
Who Performs Liposuction & Where is Liposuction
Performed?
Many liposuction surgeries are performed by plastic surgeons or by
dermatologists. Any licensed physician may perform liposuction. While some
physicians' professional societies may recommend training before performing
liposuction surgery, no standardized training is required. As a result, there
will be differences in experience and training in physicians performing
liposuction. You can ask your physician to tell you whether he or she has had
specialized training to do liposuction and whether they have successfully done
liposuction before. But remember, even the best screened patients under the
care of the best trained and experienced physicians may experience
complications as a result of liposuction.
Liposuction may be performed in a
- doctor's
office.
- surgical
center.
- hospital.
Because liposuction is a surgical procedure, it is important that it be
performed in a clean environment. Emergencies may arise during any surgery and
access to emergency medical equipment and/or a nearby hospital emergency room
is important. These are things that you should ask your physician before the
liposuction.
How can I find the right doctor for me?
The i cannot recommend physicians to you. However, there are some things
that you may consider:
- Ask questions. If you
decide to take the step to talk to a doctor about liposuction, be sure
that you ask questions and understand what happens during the liposuction
procedure and what you can expect. Your physician should also answer any
and all questions you have about potential problems with liposuction.
Remember that you are purchasing a service when you pay a physician to do
a liposuction procedure and you shouldn't feel embarrassed to ask hard
questions about the procedure or about the physician's experience in
performing liposuction.
- Advertising. Be wary of
advertisements that say or imply that you will have a perfect appearance
after liposuction. Remember that advertisements are meant to sell you a
product or service, not to inform you of all the potential problems with
that service.
- Don't base your decision simply on cost
and remember that you don't have to settle for the first doctor or
procedure you investigate. The decision you make about liposuction surgery
is an important one but not one that you must make right away.
- Read. You should learn as
much as you can about liposuction. It is important for you to read the
patient information that your doctor provides.
- Don't be pressured. Do not
feel that because you speak to a physician about this procedure that you
must go through with it. Take your time to decide whether liposuction is
right for you and whether you are willing to take the risks of undergoing
liposuction for its benefits.
What Does the FDA Regulate?
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the
sale of medical devices, such as the equipment (canulas, pumps, collecting
containers, ultrasound probes, etc) and drugs (anesthesia) used for liposuction.
Before a medical device can be legally sold in the U.S., the person or
company that wants to sell the device must seek approval from the FDA. To gain
approval, they must present evidence that the device is reasonably safe and
effective for a particular use, the "indication." Once a device is
approved, other similar devices may be cleared by the FDA for use. This
requires less information since an equivalent device has already been shown to
be safe and effective. In some cases, devices that were on the market before
FDA started regulating medical devices may be cleared. Once the FDA has
approved or cleared a medical device, a doctor may decide to use that device
for other indications if the doctor feels it is in the best interest of a
patient. The use of an approved or cleared device for other than its
FDA-approved indication is called "off-label use."
The FDA
does not have the authority to:
- Regulate a
doctor's practice. In other words, FDA does not tell doctors what to do
when running their business or what they can or cannot tell their
patients.
- Set the
amount a doctor can charge for liposuction surgery.
- "Insist"
that patient information be provided to the potential patient.
- Make
recommendations for individual doctors, clinics, or liposuction centers. FDA
does not maintain nor have access to lists of doctors performing
liposuction.
- Recommend
a physician to you.
Conduct or provide a rating system on medical
devices it regulates
