Weight Loss Surgery

Need an alternative to dieting? Do you want the icing on the cake when you've lost weight and have to make one last extra boost? Here's what you need to know about cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery has come a long way. It is now even possible to sculpt away excess fat. The downside is that it's expensive, it isn't always successful and it might not make you any happier. Surgery is not a good alternative to eating less and being active, which is the safe and sensible approach to weight control. Personally, I do feel that surgery is a last resort, but if you have lost lots of weight and the fat loss has left you with loose rolls of skin, a tummy tuck might give you a confidence boost. The most important thing is to do lots of research, ask questions and find the best possible surgeon.

Any surgery carries risks, such as infections, bleeding and reactions to anaesthetic. It's also important to see several surgeons before committing yourself to a procedure and ask them plenty of questions, including the following:

How often have you performed the procedure?
What kind of anaesthetic is used and who will administer it?
How long will the procedure take and how long will the results last?
Where will the incisions be and what level of scarring might I be left with?
What's the recovery time?
Can I see 'before and after' pictures and testimonials from other patients?

WHAT COULD YOU HAVE DONE INSTEAD?

One option for fat removal is liposuction, where a narrow metal tube is inserted into the fatty area via an incision in your skin. The surgeon moves the tube back and forth and sucks out the fat with a vacuum pump, leaving the nerves and blood vessels intact. There are variations in techniques, but that's the general idea. There is a maximum amount of fat that can be removed from an area, so you might not be able to sculpt off as much as you like. It also doesn't affect cellulite (the lumpy, dimply bane of many women's lives) and can leave skin loose. Following the procedure, your skin usually retracts and is bruised and uncomfortable. Healing can take a long time, with lumpiness and swelling taking up to six months to disappear. It's definitely not for the faint-hearted. Neither is a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). With this procedure, excess skin and fat can be removed and muscles tightened. There are mini, standard and extended versions. All leave a scar, from a low one at the level of the pubic hair to one that extends around to the back. Are you feeling faint at this point? Me too, but let me tell you about a couple of new developments. The latest high-tech techniques include LipoSelection by Vaser, which uses advanced ultrasound technology to separate out the fatty tissue from the rest before it is removed. This is claimed to be more precise, gentler and less painful, with a quicker recovery time. There is also the lower body lift, which pulls up all your slack skin around the hips, thighs and stomach. It is claimed to smooth out cellulite, flattening lumpy 'orange-peel' skin. You can also get arm and breast lifts, and just in case your hands don't match your newly slim and lifted body, there is now plenty that can be done, from getting rid of bulging veins to plumping up saggy hand skin with your very own recycled bottom fat! Excuse me, I must go and lie down as I'm feeling rather queasy.


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