Liposuction is the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the U.S. today. Also known as “lipoplasty” or “suction lipectomy,” this technique is used to sculpt the body by removing undesirable fatty deposits from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. The procedure is performed by making almost imperceptible incisions in hidden areas and skin creases to allow passage of a cannula into the fatty subcutaneous tissues. Suction is then applied to the cannula and the fatty tissue is removed while preserving the surrounding tissues. A number of new techniques, including ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the tumescent technique, and the super-wet technique, are helpful in providing selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight-loss methods.
