Are surgical procedures like liposuction or stomach stapling a good way to lose weight?
Liposuction (also known as lipolysis or suction lipectomy) is a surgical procedure in which localized deposits of fat tissue are suctioned out of the body through a long, thin metal tube known as a cannula in order to improve body proportions (e.g., to reduce “saddlebag thighs,” oversized buttocks, or double chins). Liposuction is not appropriate as a weight loss method; because of the large amounts of blood and body fluids that are suctioned out along with the fat, only about 2-5 pounds of tissue can be removed during the procedure. Most reputable plastic surgeons recommend that liposuction be used only on patients who are already at or near their ideal body weights and whose unsightly bulges fail to respond to sensible diet and exercise plans. [Since liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, it will not be described in detail here. For those interested in the details of the surgery, check your local library or bookstore for references on plastic surgery, such as Dr. Paula Moynahan’
