Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from different sites on the human body. The thighs, abdomen, buttocks, flanks, hips, upper arms, chin and neck generally respond well to liposuction procedure.

Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions. Using a special device called cannula, plastic surgeons will go beneath the skin to gain access to the fat deposits and then will quickly remove them from the body.

There are several types of liposuction procedures available. Liposuction techniques can be categorized by the amount of fluid injection and by the mechanism in which the cannula works. In wet liposuction procedure small amount of fluids (which contains local anesthetic in physiologic saline solution) is injected into the area being treated. In tumescent liposuction large amounts of fluid (about 3 or 4 times the volume of fat to be removed) are injected into the area. This creates more room for the suction tube.

Laser assisted liposuction procedure uses laser, which produces destabilization of fat. The cosmetic surgeon then uses a cannula to remove the destabilized fat cells.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction uses ultrasound vibration to burst the walls of the fat cells, emulsifying and liquefying the fat before surgeon removes it with cannula.

Usually, if the patient does not receive general anesthesia, he can get up, walk around, and go home the same day.

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