There are several reasons why women decide to undergo liposuction:
- To improve self-confidence
- Difficulty in wearing certain clothes
- To remove stubborn fat not responding to exercise
- To reclaim their bodies after the changes induced by childbirth
- To help exercise better, especially in overweight individuals
Common Areas Women Choose for Liposuction
Some of the common Liposuction areas in women include:
What are some of the issues unique to liposuction in women?
There are several factors faced by women when undergoing liposuction:
- In traditional Indian women, liposuction on thighs and buttocks by a male surgeon is an issue. In Venkat Center, we do Awake Liposuction where the patient undergoes the procedure under the influence of local anesthesia. Hence, the patient is conscious throughout the procedure.
- The timing of surgery has to suit the needs of the family, children, menstrual cycle, etc.
- More appointments during school holidays.
- Women expect to return to work quickly and are apprehensive of adverse effects.
- Frequent post-operative visits are not easy.
- Multiple sessions are preferred for different areas.
- Mega Liposuction is not preferred.
Does liposuction affect future pregnancy?
Many women are concerned if liposuction, especially in the abdomen can affect a future pregnancy. Thankfully this is not the case. As liposuction is only in the fat just below the skin there is no effect on internal organs. Some studies show that liposuction can increase fertility in women facing issues. This is because liposuction removes a lot of excess hormones such as insulin which is stored in fat. This can correct hormonal imbalances that might be affecting fertility.
Does liposuction affect my ability to exercise?
Another concern is if liposuction may make it difficult to exercise. After liposuction, a patient can do cardio after 2 weeks, weights after 3 weeks, and a full workout after 4 weeks. And many women find that the same workout they were doing before liposuction gives better results after liposuction. This is because, as mentioned above liposuction can help to reduce the stores of fat-storing hormones in the body which enables the body to burn fat more easily.
Liposuction and Poly-Cystic Ovarian Disease
We have observed that in women with PCOS, liposuction can facilitate the further loss of weight and lead to an improvement in the underlying condition. There is also better insulin sensitivity and reduction in other symptoms of PCOD.
Awake Liposuction and Why We Recommend It?
Awake Liposuction is the concept of doing the liposuction procedure while the patient is awake & not unconscious. For Awake Liposuction, local anaesthesia is used instead of general anaesthesia. Under general anaesthesia, the patient will be completely unconscious. Local anaesthesia is the technique of giving anaesthesia to that part of the body where the surgery is being done. Only the area where the anaesthesia is given becomes numb. Due to this, the patient is conscious and awake during the procedure.
Traditionally, local anaesthesia could only be given for small areas such as removing a small swelling. However, the advent of a newer technique called tumescent local anaesthesia, allows this to be given for a large area. This makes Awake Liposuction possible and also a safe method when compared to Liposuction under general anaesthesia.
Summary
- Liposuction is an extremely valuable procedure in women.
- It is safe and free from serious adverse effects.
- Emotional and cultural issues need to be addressed.
