Superfluous diet? Remove by lipoplasty?

Liposuction is not a weight loss method

The desire that excess pounds simply dissolve in the air, is easy to understand. Liposuction comes close to this wish, many think. But experts warn that liposuction is not a good way to lose weight. Also, a study from the University of Colorado confirms that much of the sucked-off fat returns within a year if patients do not change their lifestyle.

The German Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (DGÄPC) also advises against liposuction as a weight-loss measure. "Contrary to the ideas of many patients, liposuction is not a method of weight loss," the experts write on their website. Nor is she a miracle cure for cellulite. Liposuction does not serve to optimize the body circumference. Rather, it is about the removal of disproportionate accumulations of fat that do not harmonize with the overall appearance. As a rule, liposuction is done for purely aesthetic reasons. Only in a few, rarely occurring clinical pictures with increased fat storage liposuction is recommended as a therapy.

Liposuction is not for the overweight

"Many people are misunderstanding liposuction," warns Prof. Riccardo Giunta, Director of the Department of Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Surgery of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, opposite "Focus Online". Liposuction is not for obese people who want to lose weight.

Reasons against liposuction

Liposuction is not to be taken lightly. "Aesthetic-plastic treatments are medical interventions with all the associated risks," warns the DGÄPC in a guide. Like any other doctor, Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons are only allowed to perform treatments if they can be medically justified. This means that the procedure must be suitable for alleviating or eliminating a given condition. Cheap deals are also to be treated with caution. According to DGÄPC, the guarantee of a good standard in medicine is always associated with certain costs. When advertising with low prices, it should be questioned thoroughly, at which point the provider saves. In any case, reputable medical specialists would not advertise aggressively with coupons or cheap offers.

Methods of liposuction

According to Giunta, the gentlest method is waterjet technology. In this method, the tissue is anesthetized with a "water jet". During the exposure phase, the liquid swells up the fat cells. Then suction cannulas would be introduced. The loosened fat is then sucked with the help of the vacuum method with the water jet. The ultrasound method is common, according to Giunta. The problem zone is connected to a device that emits ultrasonic waves. The waves would melt the fat cells in depth, while leaving the upper layers of skin intact. The fat is ideally excreted by the body itself.

Health insurance companies do not pay

"Esthetic liposuction on the lower abdomen can cost around 1000 euros," explains Giunta. The cost of liposuction would depend on the size of the problem zone and the duration of the surgery. A widespread intervention is not rare but several thousand euros expensive. The health insurance companies do not come up according to statement of the expert for the costs. (Vb)