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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffLiposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as from the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck. Liposuction also shapes (contours) these areas. Other names for liposuction include lipoplasty and body contouring.
Liposuction isn't typically considered an overall weight-loss method or a weight-loss alternative. If you're overweight, you're likely to lose more weight through diet and exercise or through bariatric procedures — such as gastric bypass surgery — than you would with liposuction.
You may be a candidate for liposuction if you have too much body fat in specific spots but otherwise have a stable body weight.
- Andrews RA, et al. Surgical management of severe obesity. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Dec. 12, 2012.
- Liposuction procedure: Lipoplasty, cosmetic procedures. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Cosmetic-Procedures/Liposuction.html. Accessed Dec. 12, 2012.
- Liposuction: What are the risks or complications? U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/SurgeryandLifeSupport/Liposuction/ucm256139.htm. Accessed Dec. 12, 2012.
- Liposuction: What can I expect before, during, and after? U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/SurgeryandLifeSupport/Liposuction/ucm256146.htm. Accessed Dec. 12, 2012.
- Coldiron B, et al. ASDS Guidelines of care for tumescent liposuction. Dermatologic Surgery. 2006;32:709.
- Habbema L. Breast reduction using liposuction with tumescent local anesthesia and powered cannulas. Dermatologic Surgery. 2009;35:41.
- Hernandez TL, et al. Fat redistribution following suction lipectomy: Defense of body fat and patterns of restoration. Obesity. 2011;19:1388.
- Swanson E. Photographic measurements in 301 cases of liposuction and abdominoplasty reveal fat reduction without redistribution. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2012;130:311e.
- Liposuction information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/SurgeryandLifeSupport/Liposuction/default.htm. Accessed Dec. 12, 2012.
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