Liposuction?
 

So, I searched for "liposuction," but I just came up with a thread about whether people would do it or not.

Have any of you actually GOTTEN liposuction done? Or maybe have a friend that has? I'm thinking about liposuction in the future, because I have always had some issues with my legs/hips.

If you've (or any woman you know) has ever gotten liposuction, what was the procedure, and how satisfied were you?

I've always been scared about it - general anesthesia for elective, cosmetic surgery makes me nervous. The risks don't seem to be worth it. Then again, some days I look at my ginormous thighs (proportionally speaking) and think it would be a much easier solution than trying to diet and exercise against the tide of genetics - I have a BMI of 21 (smack dab in the middle of healthy) and I STILL have cellulite. Maybe it's a test to get me over my vanity :)

Sorry I can't help you with words of experience...I, too, am curious about whether people have gotten this done.

What kind of risks have you read about lurkette? I mean, obviously there is infection, but by your post, it seems you have read about other more unknown risks.
I have a 20-21 BMI as well, and am pretty much healthy (120 pounds and 5'3). However, I'm like you- I hate the cellulite and the "saddlebags" on my legs. My legs have always bugged me.

I have known no one who got it done. I have heard that the effects are overcome by our genetics eventually anyway. Supposedly our bodies are programed to dump fat cells in some places more than others depending on our genetics. It will just fill the spots back up eventually. Also I've heard that it does not help cellulite. I've wondered if it would do anything for my thighs because I hate how they jiggle. But my calves are fairly muscular and would look even more large in proportion to my thighs if I did that. One suggestion could be to talk to your regular Dr, express your desire, and see who they'd recommend. Ask them what the risks are - as a medical professional they are required by law to inform you of all the risks.

Here's some information that I found at WebMD

Common side effects of liposuction include:

Temporary swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness in and around the treated areas. Tumescent liposuction minimizes these effects in comparison to traditional liposuction.
Irritation and minor scarring around the incision sites where the cannulas were inserted.
Baggy or rippling skin. The skin will usually tighten and retract after a few months. In some people, however, the skin may remain somewhat loose.

Other complications are not common, but they may include:

Permanent color changes in the skin.
Uneven skin surface over the treated area.
Infection. In some cases, antibiotics may be given before or after liposuction to help prevent infection.
Damage to the nerves and skin. The heat generated during ultrasonic liposuction may burn the skin or damage the tissue under the skin.
Excessive blood and fluid loss, leading to shock. This is extremely unlikely with the tumescent and ultrasonic techniques, because they usually result in very little blood loss.
Fat clots or blood clots, which may travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and become life-threatening.
Buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This is most likely to occur with tumescent liposuction, during which a large volume of fluid may be injected into the body.
Toxic reaction to the injected solution (lidocaine toxicity).

Every so often the news magazine shows (20/20 and such) will do exposes on strip mall plastic surgeons, and how some of them aren't even liscensed to practice medicine.

If this is something you do want to do, research your doctor thoroughly, do not go for the cheapest price, because you will probably get what you pay for...

Anesthesia is never pleasant for some people, to go under general anesthesia for vanity sakes seems risky.

I have been looking online for advice, and all websites say what you're saying: don't just go for cheap. I would definitely do my research (but right now, I'm just thinking about it because I'm a poor kid). Anyway, about the anesthesia- I've been under it before to have my teeth out, and it wasn't so bad.

I worked with a woman once who had a stroke getting a liposuction and she was thin already! Sad, as she completely lost her memory and had to relearn everything. It took years from her life for a little bit of vanity.

Why did the liposuction result in a stroke? How old was your co-worker?

Plastic surgery is a totally personal thing, it's one of those things, that if it makes you feel better about yourself, go ahead and do it...

However, young lady (putting on my pretend mother face) you have posted pictures of yourself. You have a beautiful body, the cellulite you think you see, is only visible to yourself...

(Same goes for you too, Lurkette... )

Cameras don't lie :)

:icare:

I so needed that. You are my official reality-check, in-the-pants-kicker.

LPM, she's so right - I read your post about your thighs and I'm like "What, is she on crack?!? She's perfect!"

I got a card a while back for a friend of mine that was a buddha meditating with a little thought bubble over his head that said "I hate my thighs." Even the most perfect being has something they hate about themselves.

The risks I was talking about are the ones already mentioned - risks associated with ANY general anesthesia (I am paranoid about going under and never waking up again), clots, tissue damage, etc. I know they're pretty uncommon, but even the slightest risk of something so catastrophic for a vanity issue that could either be fixed with some diet and exercise changes, or rendered moot by a healthy dose of reality re: body image issues, just doesn't seem worth it.

It won't fix cellulite.

You don't have to go under general anesthesia unless you are getting a large area done. They have found that the large amount of local anesthetic necessary sometimes will cause an allergic reaction in some people. So there is another risk.

No, it won't fix the cellulite, but it can get rid of the the rubbing between my legs and the bulge I have on my hips.

Anyway, lurkette and mal, of course everyone has issues with themselves. Liposuction won't make you perfect, but it can make some of the little things that bug you go away.

alright, I'm a throw in my 2 cents ...

1. I've no 1st or 2nd hand experience with lipo, or other cosmetic surgery.
2. I have nothing really against it .. although I really think that, unless someone is rather wealthy, that it should be done as a last resort, as in, all other options exhausted.

now, I could be wrong ... but I suspect that, given your realtively-healthy-already body, some cardio and some patience would save you thousands of dollars and possible risks.
After giving that a really fair and honest chance, and then even more persistance and patience if needed ....

only at that point would I really endorse going under the knife.

now, I don't know where you are in all that process, you don't really say, and I'm really trying to not make assumptions...

I'm not going to suggest you just 'accept' it ... as I would then be a hypocrite, as I would/do not accept the things I can change that really matter to me.

That is all :)

lpm..i dont see what your talking about from your pictures..you look pretty perfect....but i agree with sin ..if you want to work off the tough spots some active cardio will probably help alot..it may sound weird but try jogging REALLY fast on a trampoline...it works really well and fast...and for celulite try really hot baths in http://www.themastersmiracle.com/corporate/indexmac.cfm ..one cap of teh soap on of teh neutralizer and a stiff bristle brush...

I know nothing other then what I've seen on extreme make over. My two cents. Find me a woman who DOESN'T have something on her body she doesn't like. Find one? She's that way because she's learned to embrace so called flaws and see herself as beautiful, through and through.

However, surgery is a personal choice, if you do decide in the future to pursue this ask for a reccommendation. My oral surgeon does surgeries that are neccessary for health reasons and also does cosmetic oral surgeries. I'm sure a doctor would have a few names of good plastic surgeons. Beee safe.

But from the sounds of what the ladies here have said, you don't really need it anyways. ;)

From where I stand, the possible negatives far outweigh the positives. It's not something I would do to myself. I do see having some excess skin removed in a few years (from pregnancy) if it doesn't shrink back into place and possibly my breasts lifted, and I'm not opposed to some more "minor" adjustments like skin treatments, but the thought of liposuction makes me very uneasy. For those who have it done or wish to have it done, more power! :)

Stroke is a possibility in any surgery, at any age.