Stomach Liposuction: What it Takes to Have a Flatter Tummy

Stomach liposuction is said to be the most commonly performed kind of liposuction. If you think you should have one too, then you should read up a bit about what stomach liposuction is all about.

Why You Need It

Many different factors determine why and when you need to have stomach liposuction. Old age is a natural factor that can make anyone’s tummy fatter and flabbier. Women who have undergone childbirth may also normally develop lower abdomen growth. Sometimes though, even very young people develop stomach fat at a young age. Genetic or lifestyle factors may be to blame for love handles in men and flabby stomachs in women. Stomach fat however is very resistant to even the most rigorous diet and exercise programs. Physically fit and toned individuals may thus still have a few fat stores remaining in the abdomen area.

Procedure

Stomach liposuction usually makes use of the tumescent procedure. Only local anesthesia is needed for this procedure. A client therefore remains awake and conversant during the procedure. Lidocaine is usually injected first to numb the skin. Another injection of a saline solution then numbs the fats. Adrenaline may be additionally injected to reduce too much bleeding. Small punctures are then made on the abdomen depending on whether the lower, upper or entire abdomen will receive stomach liposuction. The cannula will then be inserted to suction the fats. Depending on the extent of fat deposits, the procedure may suck out as much as 5 liters of fat. The procedure will take less than two hours and a stomach liposuction client may drive home after the procedure.

Candidates

Elderly people are not encouraged to undergo some forms of liposuction but some practitioners of stomach liposuction claim that the procedure is safe for both young and old individuals. Candidates however should be chosen based on stomach fat. Barrel shaped abdomens usually have fats classified as intra abdominal fat which is the type found deep in the stomach near the intestine. It is not advisable to conduct stomach liposuction on this kind of fat. Subcutaneous fat however is found directly under the skin and is the type that can be suctioned. Aside from fat type, a candidate for stomach liposuction should also be fit and healthy.

Disadvantages

Unlike a tummy tuck stomach liposuction does not require a very long recovery period. An individual who has undergone the procedure may be able to walk around immediately. Light work may even be performed after one to two days. Liposuction of this kind also does not leave large unsightly scars the way a tummy tuck would. The procedure however normally results in fluid drainage. Numbness, soreness, itchiness and some pain may also be felt for a few days or weeks. You may have to wear a compression garment for a week or two. The abdomen will also begin to swell after a few days with hardened tissues. In some people, the swelling can last up to two months. The best results of the procedure will not be apparent until approximately six months after.