Letty's Liposuction Directory

Male Liposuction – What's Different... What's the Same

Author: Letty's Staff Writer

Let's talk briefly about what liposuction is...

Liposuction is:

Liposuction is the permanent removal of excess subcutaneous fat cells, using a suction-assisted surgical device (called a cannula).

The goal of liposuction is not to just remove fat cells from the treated area, but to reshape the treated area in a way that attractively and permanently re-contours it.

How is male liposuction different?

Desired shape.

One of the main differences between male and female liposuction is that the re-contoured shape that women want to achieve versus that men are attempting to achieve is different.

It would be quite undesirable to most men for a surgeon who isn't versed in ideal male proportions to give them a feminized, hour-glass waist-line.

Unfortunately, this can happen.

So, I will take this opportunity to say that selecting a well-qualified surgeon is the key to avoiding most troubles.

Skin differences.

Now, another difference between male and female liposuction lies in the difference in skin density between male and female patients.

Male tissues are thicker and post-operative results can be less dramatic than in women. In order to get desirable results a surgeons will have to select his or her instrumentation carefully, and strategize to properly de-bulk the treatment areas effectively.

How safe is the procedure?

Although no cosmetic surgery is without some risk – liposuction for men is a relatively safe and effective way to surgically improve the contour of fatty areas that have proven to be resistant to diet and exercise.

How do I get the best results?

I alluded to it earlier in the article when I cautioned readers to be careful with selecting their surgeons.

In fact, one of the most important steps you can take if you are seriously considering plastic surgery is to make sure you select a qualified, board-certified surgeon who has a good deal of experience with the type of surgery you want to have.

Your job therefore becomes placing yourself in the best hands possible.

Here are some questions to answer before surgery:

1. A. Is your surgeon board-certified in plastic surgery?

   If you are having plastic surgery, then the board-certification you want look for is one that specifically qualifies your doctor to perform plastic surgery (and not some other kind of medicine).

   It is comforting to know that your urologist is taking good care of your prostate, but he would not be as comforting if you were considering – say – a face-lift surgery.

2. B. Is the facility where the operations take place properly accredited?

   A good accreditation for a surgical facility to have is one from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) or from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) Institutes. Their standards help to ensure that the proper equipment is on hand for emergencies, and that minimal levels are met for professionalism, sanitation, and set-up.

   These organizations exist to make sure that patient safety comes first.

   Those things are really important to know, and should weigh heavily into your decision-making process.

3. C. Does your surgeon perform your desired surgery frequently?

   This may not be as obvious to you, but is pretty important.

   If you have two board-certified surgeons who both operated in properly accredited facilities - AND one of them does your procedure infrequently, while the other does your procedure several times a week successfully – which surgeon would you go with?...

   The clear winner is the surgeon who gets lots of practice doing your procedure on a regular basis. The truth is – even board-certified surgeons make mistakes.

   After all, they are human.

So, pick the surgeon who knows what he or she is doing... and does it often.

In Conclusion:

Although male liposuction may have slightly different considerations, what isn't different is the need for your personal safety and a good looking post-surgical outcome.

Take the time to properly investigate your potential surgeon.

Make sure he or she is board-certified in plastic surgery, AND most importantly has plenty of experience doing the specific surgery that you want done.

Male Liposuction References:

• "Liposuction." Louann W. Murray, Ph.D. and Tish Davidson, A.M. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, Online update, 2008. 5 vols.

• Gorgos, Diana. "Male liposuction differs from female procedure." Dermatology Nursing. vol. 18.1 (2006): 95. Expanded Academic ASAP (30 Nov 2009).

• Lance M. Bacon; Scott Fontaine; James K. Sanborn. "Battle of the bulge." Washington Post. 01 Feb 2011: E1. eLibrary (14 Mar 2011).

• Conventry, Laura. "We want flat tummies too; Stirland is one of growing number of men opting for cosmetic enhancements." Daily Record. 2010: 28, 29. eLibrary (Apr. 2011).