According to a survey 82,488 liposuction surgeries were performed during the COVID-19 outbreak in India.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic was very severe concerning public health and welfare, it nonetheless led to several lifestyle changes, although these changes were indirect, which served as a forceful intervention in transforming body images.
What is Liposuction and Body Contouring?
Liposuction/Lipoplasty or body contouring is an important category of cosmetic surgery. This procedure involves fat removal from various parts of the body including arms, neck, stomach, hips, thighs, etc to reshape and smooth the natural contours of the body.
Importantly, one should know that liposuction is not used as a method during obesity deposit and refuses to go off after dieting and exercise.
Liposuction was first conceptualized in the 1920s, but modern techniques are traced to the 1970s and 1980s. French surgeon Dr. Yves-Gerard Illouz is said to have started using the "wet technique" in which he infiltrated a saline solution into the fat before suctioning; this greatly reduced blood loss, making this procedure safer.
Since then, the procedure of liposuction has developed more and more, even with the newer advancements of tumescent liposuction, ultrasound-assisted liposuction, and laser-assisted liposuction. All of these developments have made the process much more effective, much less invasive, and of course, much safer for patients.
The Procedure
The process of liposuction involves a highly qualified cosmetic surgeon who first identifies the target region and then makes small incisions to insert a small tube inside the region. This cannula is connected to a vacuum-like device to expel and suck the extra fat out of the body. The surgery is conducted under local or general anesthesia based on the area targeted or the number of sites to be treated.
The amount of fat that can be safely removed during any one procedure may vary from person to person according to their general health and body makeup and areas being treated. Ordinarily, the maximum limit would be somewhere around 5 liters of fat, amounting to approximately 11 pounds.
Recovery and Results
The downtime is dependent on the extent of the procedure, although most of the patients can return to their work within several days to a week after liposuction surgery. However, it takes a few weeks to months to eliminate all the swelling and thus allow the results to be fully manifest. Obesity in India is a growing health concern and hence, when weight is carried with the right diet and exercise plan, patients have experienced long-term results.
Psychological Issues and Social Concerns
The increased popularity of liposuction and body contouring procedures is indicative of larger social trends and pressures. This pushes the focus on physical appearance that reaches people through mass media, social networks, and popular culture.
While many patients have reported increased self-esteem and body image after these surgeries, the realistic approach to these surgeries is very important. Body sculpting procedures enhance appearance but are not any replacement for a healthy lifestyle or solution for psychological problems regarding body image.
Ethical Considerations and Future Outlook
With the increase in the frequency of such procedures, the ethical questions regarding the medicalization of appearance and possible support for unreal expectations of beauty have increased severalfold. A fine line is trodden between patient autonomy and the duty of the medical profession toward health and well-being in general.
In the coming years, one can expect more technological improvements in body sculpting, which could make the procedures less invasive and more customizable according to individual patient needs. However, growing recognition of body image and its psychological implications may also lead to a movement toward more holistic approaches bringing together physical interventions, psychological support, and the modification of lifestyle.
While liposuction and body contouring procedures offer an avenue through which people change their bodies, they should form part of a more significant discourse on health, well-being, and body image. Like any other medical procedure, potential patients should research and consult widely with qualified professionals to make informed decisions about their bodies and health.
To know more, book an appointment with Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
