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[T720]The Science Of Animals

by Barry Eppley, Bar

Liposuction, after 25 years since its introduction in the United States in 1981, remains one of the most popular plastic surgeries for both men and women. How it works seems simple enough...'stick a tube and suck it out' to paraphrase what many patients say. And while it is conceptually simple mechanical process, there is more to it than meets the eye.

At its simplist, liposuction is a two-steo process for removing fat. A hollow tube (cannula) is put under the skin, the tube is moved back and forth until the fat is dislodged, and the attached vacuum source draws the fat back through the cannula into the tubing and finally into the plastic bottle.

Despite this apparent simplicity, there is more science to it than that. There are three interesting components about liposuction, all of which contribute to its safety and effectiveness. These include the concept of tumescence, water vaporization and suction, and tubing size and design.

An integral part of the oepration is the placing of fluid into the areas where the fat will be suctioned. I frequently get asked by patients if I do tumescent liposuction. Patients think that this is a special method of liposuction, when in fact, it is used in every liposuction procedure. Putting large amounts of fluid into the fat areas to be suctioned beforehand is known as tumescent infiltration. This achieves two fundamental things, substantially reduces bleeding (from the fat being broken up by the liposuction tube and it distends the fat compartments which make the tube easier to pass through the fat being suctioned. Without tumescent infiltration, liposuction would quite bloody, give patients more pain, and have them bruised for a month, if not longer.

The amount of suction generated by the liposuction machine, in short, makes liposuction possible. At the accepted amount of suction needed for liposuction (-20 cms of water or -1 atmosphere of pressure), the pulling of fat through the tubing certainly occurs. But it also causes the vaporization of water. If you have ever witnessed an actual liposuction procedure, you may have seen bubbles in the fat or bubbling in the plastic cannister. To some degree, this is actually water boiling....or the vacuum pressure exceeding the vapor pressure of the water in the fat being removed. It is this vaporization that makes the viscosity (how thick it is) of fat, which is actually a combination of fat, blood, and infiltration fluid, less to improve its ease of flow through the tubing. From a flow standpoint, water that is vaporized ( a gas) flows 100 times faster than liquid water. This is also why liposuction done at higher altitudes, where the water vapor of pressure is less, is somewhat easier to do. (takes less suction from the machine)

The tube (cannula) that is actually used under the skin differs in diameter and the holes at the tip. In days gone by, the cannulas were quite large but left a lot of depressions in the overlying skin after due to removing too much fat too fast and in large pieces. Today, small cannulas are used which removes fat more carefully and in smaller pieces, decreasing the problem of skin irregularities after surgery. The tip of the cannula is rounded so that it travels through the fat easier with less chance of penetrating something you shouldn't. The holes at the tip are where fat sticks to and then gets sucked into the cannula. The more holes there are at the tip achieves two effects; increases the shearing effect (like a blade) on fat and makes more cross-sectional area through which fat can be suctioned.

Currently, there are newer methods of liposuction or to be accurate, methods of loosening up the fat. These include internal and external ultrasonic and laser probe-assisted. While they sound quite advanced (and they are), there is no convincing evidence at this time that they are actually better than traditional liposuction. Better meaning....you get more fat oout, smoother skin, and heal faster. Manufacturers market them as such but no study has yet proven it. And suction is still required to pull out loosened fat.

At some point in our lives, we have all lost precious and dear pets, or at least know someone who has. Their passing is often as painful to us as when we lose human loved ones, sometimes even more so. When they leave us, we like to think that there is a place for them in eternity. It is important that we feel that somehow, someway, provision has been made for them.

Unfortunately, when we seek validation for these hopes from those we look to in spiritual matters, we frequently find that they hold to the view that animals are for this world only and that they do not possess eternal souls. We are told that when they pass, that is the end of the road for them. This only deepens our sorrow and pain.

I do not subscribe to this view. In fact, I find it to be both presumptuous and theologically immature. Presumptuous, because the Bible is clear that God valued the creatures he formed with his own hands and called them "very good" after creating them, indicating that their existence pleased him.

Further, the Bible gives indisputable record that God, motivated by his pleasure and love for his creation, personally and purposely protects and provides for his creatures from Eden past through Millennium future. We are told that he clothes the animals and provides sustenance for them. He directs their migrations to ensure their safety from the environment. He even gives instructions on how domestic animals should be treated. In short, he expresses and employs unending care for his creatures.

This should come as no surprise to anyone as it is in keeping with his original plan in Eden, which was that animals (like humans) would live forever. His immutability precludes variance from that plan; irrespective of the temporary setback caused by the fall of mankind. It would be presumptuous to think that God would change his mind on this matter, for his thoughts and plans are perfect and never in need of correction, change or update.

Continuing, I find the idea that animals have no souls, theologically immature and lacking. The evidence found in scripture overwhelmingly supports that animals do indeed have souls, much like people. I say "much like" because there is a distinct difference. Animals are innocent creatures that are not in need of reconciliation and regeneration. Nevertheless, with this one exception, their souls are very similar to, if not exactly like our own.

In perhaps the oldest book of the Bible, the Book of Job, verse 10 of chapter 12 tells us "In whose hand is the soul of every living thing". This is a very profound passage. The initial, face-value perception is that God is speaking of all creatures, human and animal. The considered, in-depth study of the statement supports the initial perception.

The word "soul" is used in over twenty different ways in the Bible. Invariably, when people come across this word in scripture, they automatically associate it with redemption, so much so that in no matter what context it appears, the connection to reconciliation and salvation is always present in their minds and unconsciously applied to the interpretation.

In most cases, this is right and acceptable to the rules of exegesis, but there are times when it is not. Clearly, the gospel message is not for animals. It is exclusively for people. It is a reconciliatory outreach from God to people. However, to allow this truth to cause one to draw the conclusion that animals therefore cannot have a soul, is to visit a gross injustice on scripture.

The Hebrew word "nephesh" (soul), appears many times in scripture and is used interchangeably to describe both the essence of man and animals. It does not make a distinction between the two and it does not delve into salvation in its application. Rather, it addresses the consciousness of the soul.

This passage in Job is a good example of this. The word soul is not used in relation to redemption, but rather addresses providential care. A clearer meaning of this verse would be "in whose hand is the life or essence of every living thing?". God is speaking of that part of humans and animals that contains or houses the "life" he has given to them, that part that departs the body when the body expires.

When we mesh this thought in Job with Romans chapter 8 and Revelation 5:9-13, to name a few corresponding passages, the meaning is clear. The life or essence of every living thing is in the eternal care of the one who created that life.

However, this word in Job indicates an even deeper thought for us to consider. We often refer to man (or woman) as a flesh and blood body with a soul. This is not so. In keeping with the absolute intent of this word, man is a soul that has been placed in a flesh and blood body. The distinction is subtle, but it is immense in effect. This is our essence, that we are a soul, not a body. The body is temporal, but the soul eternal.

This truth applies to animals as well. They are not creatures with souls, but are eternal souls given temporary bodies. The same word is used to describe their essence as it is ours. So when we refer to their soul, we are merely acknowledging that animals have essence and that this essence is eternal in nature. They are innocent creatures whose souls are safe in the hand of their creator.

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Both Barry Eppley & Gary Kurz are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Barry Eppley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aging, Cosmetic Surgery and Health Insurance. Dr Barry Eppley is a board-certified plastic surgeon in private practice at Clarian Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. He writes a daily blog on trends in plastic surgery at. Barry Eppley's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.

Gary Kurz has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Family and Health. The author, Gary Kurz, helps those grieving the loss of a pet to understand the Biblical evidence that proves they live on. His most popular book, "Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates" delivers hope and comfort to the reader in a very gentle, yet convincing w. Gary Kurz's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.