Liposuction is a procedure that uses suctioning to remove excess fat from various regions of the body. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 300,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the United States in 2006, making liposuction one of the most popular surgical cosmetic procedures performed today.

The roots of modern liposuction date back to 1975 with the advent of the first cannula (tube used for liposuction), and education in liposuction was promoted by both the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) as early as 1987. Although liposuction is not a weight loss substitute, it is a method of altering the shape and contour of the body. For this reason, liposuction is also sometimes called body contouring.

Both men and women can elect to have liposuction to improve their physical appearance. However, the areas to be suctioned typically vary according to gender. Common liposuction sites include the area below the chin and the breasts. Women also commonly have liposuction performed on the underarms, abdomen, hips and thighs. Men typically opt to have the waist and flank area (“love handles”) suctioned. Excess fat in the cheeks, neck, upper arms, back, buttocks, knees, calves and ankles may also be removed with liposuction. Liposuction can be performed on multiple areas of the body at the same time. It may also be performed in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures.

Liposuction is intended to remove localized fat deposits that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. It is not appropriate for some individuals, including those with coagulation (blood clotting) or bleeding disorders, poor wound healing, excessive surgeries in or around the region to be treated or a lidocaine (an anesthetic) allergy. Good candidates for this procedure must meet the following criteria:

• Normal body weight or no more than 30 pounds overweight
• Firm, elastic skin
• Pockets of surplus fat in certain regions
• Good physical health
• Psychological stability

Patients should also have realistic expectations about the procedure. Although liposuction can enhance an individual’s physical appearance, it probably will not give them their ideal body. Liposuction also cannot remove unwanted cellulite from the body.

Older patients often have diminished skin elasticity. Although they may be considered appropriate candidates for the procedure, they may not experience the same results as younger patients with tighter skin. Frequently a procedure to tighten lax skin is more appropriate, or needed in combination with liposuction.

Liposuction may also be used for certain noncosmetic conditions associated with the accumulation of excess fat. For example, it may be used to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and fatty, benign tumors called lipomas. It may also be used to treat gynecomastia (enlargement of the breasts in men).

It usually takes one to two months after the procedure for improvement of physical appearance. However, it may take up to six months after the procedure before results are complete in some treatment areas, like the chin.

The decision to undergo liposuction should be carefully considered. Like any surgical procedure, liposuction poses a risk of rare but serious complications, and recovery may be painful.