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Abdominal Liposuction is the most requested form of liposuction among women in America. Liposuction can be performed on the entire abdominal area or just the upper or lower sections, depending on the needs of the patient.

Only some abdominal fat can be removed. There are two types of abdominal fat:

1. superficial (directly under the skin and above the muscles), and
2. deep (situated around the vital organs).

 

Only superficial fat can be removed by liposuction. Deep tissue fat can only be removed by proper diet and exercise. Deep tissue fat is also the most dangerous type of fat since it surrounds the vital organs. This type of fat has been directly linked to heart disease and diabetes. Abdominal liposuction should never be used to avoid these diseases, as it's a purely cosmetic procedure. Read about abdominal liposuction cost.

Abdominal Liposuction: Is it Right for You?

Liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery designed to rid the body of excess fat in specific areas by use of a wand and a suction device.

This surgery is performed under anesthesia, either general or local, generally depending on the size of the area being reconstructed and the amount of fat being removed.

This surgery is most effective when the patient has less than 15 pounds of excess fat to lose.

Ideally, this surgery is not intended to remove large amounts of fat from several parts of the body.

It's primarily intended to aid in contouring and shaping the abdomen, giving the patient a much more toned appearance than before the procedure.

It's important to remember that liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise regimen.

A patient will receive optimum results from a liposuction procedure when the amount of fat being removed is less than 15 pounds.

A patient must also be at least 18 years old and must be in healthy condition with no known infections or diseases (such as diabetes) that could interfere with the procedure or the recovery process.

Also, the best results will be achieved if the patient has already been on an established diet and exercise regime for the six months prior to the procedure.

Good habits need to already be established if the patient intends for the liposuction procedure to have permanent and lasting effects.

What to Expect From the Procedure

As with any cosmetic surgery, there's a chance the results won't reach the personal expectations of the patient.

Therefore, it's important for the patient and the surgeon to have a detailed consultation beforehand where expectations are addressed.

The physician should be able to assist the patient in formulating expectations that are reasonable for the procedure.

The patient should expect some swelling and soreness immediately after the procedure, as well as some bruising and scarring at the incision site.

Generally, the bruising and swelling should go away within a month to six weeks, often sooner, but depending on the extent of the surgery, full results can take up to six months to appear.

How quickly the incision scar will heal is dependent on the individual patient, though most scars disappear or become minimal in appearance within a year of the procedure.

The patient should expect the results of the procedure to appear natural.

This is easiest for the surgeon to achieve if the patient does not expect all of the fat to be removed from the abdomen.

A certain amount of fat is necessary for a natural-looking abdomen.

Side Effects and Possible Complications?

Side effects are temporary, generally minor, and resolve themselves within a short time of the procedure.

They may include bruising, swelling, pain, numbness, and scarring, which have already been discussed.

Complications, however, are much more serious and typically require further medical treatment.

Allergic reactions to the anesthesia or the materials used during the surgery may occur.

Infection is also always a possibility when the skin is cut or punctured, so a general antibiotic may be a part of the pre- or post-operative treatment.

Organ puncture is a serious but rare complication that may require additional surgery to repair.

Most experienced surgeons will be able to perform the procedure safely, avoiding this serious complication.

Also, irregular healing resulting in less-than-ideal results such as skin dimpling or deformation may occur.

This is most common when too much fat is removed from the area.

What about Recovery?

Most patients are able to go home the same day or the day after the procedure, depending on the extent of the surgery.

Most pain will subside within 2 weeks, and many patients can return to their normal daily activities after that time, though some may need to gradually increase their activities over a longer period of about six weeks.

What is the Typical Cost?

Generally, abdominal liposuction can range anywhere from $3,000 to $7,500, with additional fees for pre- and post-operative consultations and anesthesiologists.

This fee is typically not covered by medical insurance because liposuction is still considered a purely cosmetic procedure and a luxury by insurance companies.

It is important to remember that a quote given over the phone by a secretary is not official or binding, so a patient should always receive an estimate from their doctor in writing before proceeding with surgery.

Be sure to ask whether the quoted fee is the surgery fee only or the global fee that includes all operating room expenses, anesthesiologist expenses, nursing staff expenses, and consultation fees.

Find more information and a full article on abdominal liposuction average cost, financing and trends here.

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