Abdominal Liposuction (Liposculpture) Basics
Many men and women have pockets of unwanted fat in their bellies that seems to be resistant to diet and exercise. Of all liposuction procedures, liposuction of the abdominals is the most common. It’s the perfect way to remove unwanted fat permanently, giving you the flatter, more contoured look you desire. Talk to a cosmetic surgeon or board-certified plastic surgeon to see if you're a good candidate for liposuction of the abs.
Before your consultation, check out some of these abdominal liposuction before and after photos to see real people who've had the surgery.
Abdominal Liposuction Surgery
Depending on the volume of fat being removed from your abdomen and the amount of loose skin, your surgeon may opt to treat your tummy area with abdominal liposuction alone or in conjunction with a tummy tuck. Many techniques are available today, so it’s important to get as much information as you can from your plastic surgeon.
In abdominal liposuction surgery, your surgeon will use an IV to administer fluids along with a light sedative. The most commonly used technique is the Tumescent, which involves making small incisions around your navel or below your bikini line. A small, tube-like instrument called a cannula is used to inject a solution of saline, anesthetic and epinephrine. This will promote swelling, making the fat easier to break up and suction out.
Other liposuction techniques include the Ultrasonic Assisted (UAL), where the cannula sends out sound waves to break up and melt the fat prior to suctioning. Some say the UAL reduces trauma, resulting in less bruising and blood loss. This technique is useful on fibrous areas of the body, such the upper abdomen and upper back, which are difficult to treat with traditional techniques. The Water Assisted (WAL) technique uses the cannula to send out a fan of water to break up the fat prior to removal, and the Power Assisted (PAL) technique involves a mechanized cannula that vibrates rapidly to break up and vacuum out the fat. All of these techniques are effective and permanent.
Liposuction surgery takes anywhere from one to four hours, depending on the amount of fat being removed. Your plastic surgeon will tape up your incisions and send you home wearing a compression garment to promote healing. You’ll also be prescribed medicine for pain, and most people return to work within a week. Read more about liposuction recovery.
Advantages of Abdominal Liposuction
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A trimmer abdominal area can improve your self-esteem
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Results are permanent
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Relatively little downtime, as compared to a tummy tuck
Disadvantages of Abdominal Liposuction
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There is risk of infection with any surgery, so you should be in good health
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You could have excessive swelling and bruising of the abdomen weeks after the procedure
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Puckering or dimpling of the skin, so make sure you choose a reputable surgeon
See Abdominal Liposuction Before and After Photos
Take some time to review some abdominal liposuction before and after photos to get an idea of the kind of results you can expect to achieve.
Find a Liposuction Surgeon in Your Area
Talk to a cosmetic surgeon or board-certified plastic surgeon to see if liposuction for the abs is right for you. Your surgeon can explain to you the different liposuction techniques and make recommendations based on your goals.
More Abdominal Liposuction (Liposculpture) Information »
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