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 While the general public may view liposuction simply as a cosmetic procedure, it is real surgery with real risks. So what should you know before having liposuction?As part of its ongoing dedication to patient safety, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) teamed up with a number of professional medical associations to create a practice advisory on liposuction.
“In addition to going to an American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certified plastic surgeon for liposuction, the most important step toward making sure you have a safe procedure is asking your surgeon the right questions and understanding the decisions that you and your surgeon make together,” said Ronald Iverson, MD, chair of the ASPS Committee on Patient Safety. “There is no substitute for having the knowledge to make intelligent choices to ensure a safe surgery.”
(Related article: Plastic
surgery and makeovers have become so easy now)
The third practice advisory in a series from the ASPS Committee on Patient Safety explores a variety of issues common to liposuction that patients should talk to their physicians about, including
different types
of techniques, anesthesia, patient selection, liposuction volume, multiple procedures, postoperative care, facility selection, training and qualifications, and facility accreditation.
“Over the years, advances in liposuction techniques have allowed for ever increasing amounts of fat to be removed. Now more than ever, you need to be smart about choosing a plastic surgeon who addresses your individual needs and condition to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome,” stated Dr. Iverson.
(Related article: Plastic
surgery for Hispanic men and women)
In the
area of lipoplasty, the pace of innovation is growing,
with the recent use of stand-up liposuction, a procedure
in which the patient does not need to be put under
general anesthesia and can be operated under local
anesthesia while standing up. Developed by Dr.
Leonard Grossman, when a patient stands up during the
surgery, the surgeon has a better idea of how the body
will look like after the fat is pumped out. Plus,
the patient can also give feedback in real time.
In a recent TV interview, he cautioned that standup
liposuction is only for those patients that need small
volume liposuction. Another innovation is
in-office liposuction.
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