Beauty Doc Blog

June 20.08

Plastic surgery treatment options for fatty deposits such as those behind the knees, under the arms and what we commonly call love handles are varied, but the most common method is liposuction. The procedure of liposuction allows a surgeon to assist a patient in sculpting the body through removal of unwanted fat. Also known as lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, it includes several new techniques such as ultra sound assisted lipoplasty, or UAL, as well as the tumescent technique and the super wet technique. These new methods allow faster recovery time and more precise results.

No surgical procedure, including any form of liposuction, is a substitute for dieting and exercise, but there are times when some fatty deposits prove to be resistant to dieting and exercise methods of weight loss. The areas under the arms and behind the knees, and love handles are traditionally difficult, and liposuction is often used with success.

To be considered a good candidate for liposuction a patient must have realistic expectations about what the procedure can accomplish. It is very important for the patient to understand that liposuction can enhance self confidence and outward appearance, but that it will not cause other people to treat you differently or change a person’s looks to match their ideal. In other words, it won’t turn the average man into Brad Pitt or the average woman into Angelina Jolie. It will, however, provide improvement for those who desire it.

Good candidates should be people of normal weight with firm, elastic skin. They should be physically healthy, be psychologically stable and age is not necessarily a consideration though older patients do sometimes have diminished elasticity of the skin and may not have the same results as younger patients who have tighter skin. If a patient has heart or lung disease, diabetes or poor blood circulation then they are at greater risk and should inform their doctor. During an initial consultation a surgeon will perform an overall evaluation of the patient’s health, determine where the fat deposits are and assess the condition of the skin. The doctor will explain the methods used at that time and answer any questions the patient may have. Those considering the procedure are often overwhelmed by the number of options available.

Make sure you have a board certified surgeon whom you trust and explore all of the options recommended before making a decision. Many people have lost unwanted fat deposits through liposuction.