What is Stomach Liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure wherein fatty tissue from a specific area of the body is suctioned out, and stomach liposuction is the term used when this procedure is localized to the abdomen area. The fatty deposits in the stomach region can be resistant to exercise. Abdominal liposuction has become one of the more popular cosmetic procedures around due to its ability to suck out this fat, improving the contours of the stomach and providing a more toned appearance. The procedure is often combined with liposuction on other areas of the body, including the chin, outer thighs, and chest region, to improve the appearance of the body.

There are several different surgical techniques that can be used in stomach liposuction. The basic procedure involves making a small incision into the abdomen area that allows a cannula, a hollow tube, to be inserted beneath the skin. The thin tube is then used by the surgeon to target and break down unwanted fat pockets and suck up the fat through the cannula by an attached vacuum.

Specific types of liposuction may be used on the stomach to improve the results. For instance, in an ultrasound-assisted liposuction, the fat is liquified using ultrasound energy before being sucked out. The procedure can be less invasive and may have a faster recovery time. The decision of which liposuction procedures to use will be made by the surgeon when preparing for stomach liposuction.

After getting liposuction, the patient usually wears an elastic dressing over the stomach area for several weeks to control bleeding and swelling. The compression garment can also help improve blood circulation and encourage healing. Typically the patient will experience some pain and bruising after the procedure, but these symptoms typically fade away in the weeks following surgery. Some individuals, however, may be left with permanent scars and dimpling after the procedure. Patients can usually resume all normal activities six weeks after the surgery.

Complications can occur during stomach liposuction or after the procedure is done. During the procedure, patients could experience a negative reaction to the medications used during surgery or experience breathing problems. After the surgery, possible complications that could occur include infections, persistent swelling, and altered sensations in the stomach region. Another possible complication is puncture wounds to the internal organs by the cannula. If such a situation occurs, these punctured organs could require surgery in order to repair the damage.

Generally, plastic surgeons consider the best candidates for stomach liposuction to be individuals who are at normal weight or those who are slightly overweight. The procedure is often done by mothers who have been unable to loose excessive fatty deposits in the belly region after having children. In men, the love handles are commonly treated with liposuction of the stomach. Individuals who have experienced significant reductions in weight may also turn to liposuction as a means of getting rid of the stomach fat that drastic weight loss can leave behind.

Stomach liposuction alone may not be able to provide optimal results in improving the contours of the stomach region. To increase the results, the procedure is sometimes combined with a tummy tuck, a surgical procedure that can be used to remove fat as well as sagging, loose skin from the abdomen for a flatter, smoother appearance.

Although stomach liposuction has its uses, plastic surgeons try to take care to inform patients of the limits of the procedure so they have reasonable expectations of the results that can be achieved. Liposuction is not a substitute for dieting or exercise, and the surgery cannot treat or cure obesity. In fact, after the procedure, positive lifestyle choices, including physical activity and appropriate dietary choices, will be needed to help maintain the changes to the stomach's shape and size. The procedure is also not capable of treating the appearance of cellulite or stretch marks.

Ultimately, the decision to proceed with liposuction is a decision that individuals will have to examine for themselves. For some, the surgery can be a boost to their confidence and provide the encouragement to wear more revealing clothing. Others find that viewing their new stomach contours gives them the encouragement to stick to fitness and nutrition programs. Some individuals, however, ultimately decide that the cost and potential risks are not worth the beautifying improvements.