There are many men and women in the world who have found that they are unable to lose weight with proper diet and exercise. Being in this situation can be frustrating and depressing which is why it is important that individuals consider all available options. Now there are many safe alternatives for weight loss that include cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction.

What is the Liposuction Procedure?

Liposuction is the process of surgically removing fat from a specific area in the body; some more popular spots are the face, stomach, arms and buttocks. After administering a general anesthetic a plastic surgeon will remove the fat from a predetermined part of the body using a cannula (steel tube) and a pump. This procedure is invasive but it is effective providing patients with immediate results. In many situations liposuction is a safe alternative to gastric bypass and can even help reduce the amount of cellulite on a person’s body.

Recovery after Liposuction

There is a price that has to be paid for such immediate results and that price is usually paid during the recovery period. Many patients are forced to rest for long periods of time after the surgery and will usually experience a great deal of pain. Your cosmetic surgeon will prescribe pain medications to help you get through the recovery period and you will be expected to have follow up visits with your surgeon to check the healing process.

Cost of Liposuction

Like many plastic surgeries the cost varies and often depends on the area you live in. States with a lower standard of living often charge much less for cosmetic surgery than states with a higher standard of living. The price will also depend on the area being targeted for surgery. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 with the price going up based on length of surgery, targeted area, and the amount of fat being removed. Many cosmetic surgeons performing liposuction will finance the surgery if your insurance will not cover the cost.

Risks during Liposuction

Liposuction does carry many risks because it is so invasive. Patients will often experience a lot of pain and bruising after their surgery. In some cases there is swelling and unsightly lumps in the surgery location. Surgeries that involve more than one body part such as limbs will often yield uneven results. It is important that you get your plastic surgeon to explain all of the risks to you prior to the procedure and explain their usual policies for fixing any serious problems or side effects.