In today's world, looking and feeling good mean having a fit, well-proportioned body. However, for many people, this may seem like an unreachable goal. Sometimes even a strict diet or a disciplined exercise program can't conquer stubborn areas of excess fat. For those who seek a smoother or better-proportioned body contour, liposuction may be the answer. Liposuction, also called lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes deposits of excess fat from specific areas of the body, face or neck. Liposuction can be used to slim the hips and thighs, flatten the abdomen, shape the calves and ankles or eliminate a double chin.

Is liposuction right for me?
Liposuction is most commonly recommended for men and women of normal weight who simply want to improve their body contour. The procedure can produce excellent results for people who have deposits of excess fat that make certain body areas appear disproportionately large. Although liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, it can permanently alter body proportion and is sometimes the only way to eliminate fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise.

People of almost any age may undergo liposuction; however, patients with good skin elasticity will achieve the smoothest contour after fat is removed. You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you desire fat removal or contouring in any of the following areas:
• Cheeks, chin and neck
• Upper arms
• Breast or chest area
• Back
• Abdomen and waist
• Hips and buttocks
• Thighs
• Inner knee
• Calves and ankles
It's important to be clear about a few "cans and can'ts" related to liposuction.

Liposuction can...
• be performed on several areas of the body at the same time or be done in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery procedures, as long as you understand that there is increased risk and your surgeon feels that having multiple procedures is a safe option.
• be used to treat some cases of gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, which occurs in both teenagers and adult men.

Liposuction can't...
• Serve as a substitute for dieting and exercise
• Effectively treat cellulite (a condition that gives the skin a dimpled appearance).

How is liposuction performed?
To perform liposuction, one or more small incisions are made near the area suctioned. Whenever possible, incisions are placed within the natural folds or contour lines of the skin so that they are inconspicuous. The surgeon then places a slim, hollow tube called a cannula through the incision so that its tip penetrates the underlying fat. After the cannnula is connected by flexible tubing to a suction pump, the surgeon moves the cannula back and forth through the fat, which is vacuumed into the tube. Several variations to the basic liposuction technique have been introduced. The fat-removal technique that best meets your needs depends on a number of individual factors that your surgeon will discuss with you.