Liposuction is a medical term for cosmetic surgery that removes fat from different areas of the human body. Some of the most common areas where liposuction surgery is performed include the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, the neck, and backs of the arms. Liposuction is neither a weight loss technique nor it is an alternative to exercise instead it is a form of body shaping. The amount of fat removed differs according to the liposuction method, surgeon, and the patient.

Liposuction can give the appearance of significant weight loss than the amount of fat that is actually removed. The surgery can be carried out under general or local anesthesia. Next, the safety of surgery depends on the individual's health condition, the type of anesthesia used, and the amount of fat to be removed.

Generally, fat is removed from the body through a hollow tube called cannula and a suction device called an aspirator. Many surgeons make use of reusable cannulas. One time usable cannulas are also available for liposuction. Liposuction techniques are classified by the amount of fluid injected and the mechanism of cannula. The following are some primary techniques of liposuction based on the amount of fluid injection:

1. Dry Liposuction 2. Wet Liposuction 3. Super-wet Liposuction 4. Tumescent Liposuction 5. Laser Assisted Liposuction

Dry Liposuction: No fluid injection takes place in dry liposuction and is rarely used.

Wet Liposuction: This technique uses a small quantity of fluid that is less than the amount of fat to be removed. The fluid is injected in the targeted area along with a local anesthetic, epinephrine that contracts the blood vessels to minimize bleeding. The fluid loosens the fat cells that are then suctioned out.

Super-wet Liposuction: This is generally used for high-volume liposuction, as it balances hemostasis and possible fluid overload in an efficient manner. In this technique, the injected fluid is almost equal to the amount of fat removed. The procedure lasts for one to three hours and may need Intravenous (IV) sedation along with a local anesthesia.

Tumescent Liposuction: In this technique, the surgeon injects a solution containing a local anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor directly into the fat that needs to be removed. The amount of fluid creates a gap between the muscle tissue and the fatty tissue. Hence, extra space is created for the insertion of cannula.

Laser Assisted Liposuction: This procedure uses thermal energy to have an effect on lipolysis and for this, it uses either the Erchonia or Nd: YAG powered devices.

Liposuction surgery is an effective tool in getting rid of unwanted fats from the body. Reports that claim people having successfully removed 50 pounds of fat are highly overstated. Hence, before undergoing liposuction, it is extremely vital for an individual to stay fit.