Thursday, November 8, 2007

Breast Implants vs. Liposuction

Liposuction and breast augmentation are the most prevalent body contouring procedures. The most commonly used options for beautifying one’s body. I personally I’d rather take than put.

Nevertheless, liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that improves body shape by removing excess fat and skin from the lower abdomen and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. . Liposuction involves the use of a small stainless steel tube, called a cannula (tube), and it is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions. The procedure begins by infusing a sterile liquid solution to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, is inserted through the incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the tube. The entire procedure may last an hour or less, depending on the areas to be suctioned.
( http://www.emedicinehealth.com/liposuction/article_em.htm )

Several techniques are used to for doing liposuction, tumescent liposuction, dry and wet techniques, ultrasonic assisted liposuction (UAL), and power assisted technique (PAL); and most those techniques can be used to remove fat from abdomen, thighs, arms, back, breast, face, pretty much anywhere in the body.

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liposuction )

Figure 1. Different Body Areas That Can be Liposuctioned.



(http://www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/procedures/Lipoplasty.cfm?CFID=91124401&CFTOKEN=22612300#six )

Costs of Implants


According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast implant prices average from $4,000 to $10,000 per procedure depending upon several factors:

1. Type of procedure. Depending on the incision type and placement the average cost can range from depending on factors such as: choice of surgeons, type of procedure, type of anesthesia, and type of implant.

2. The surgeon. The plastic surgeon's training and skill are important factors in the cost. The most qualified surgeons who have performed extensive surgeries typically command a higher fee which ranges around $4000. There is no guarantee, however, that a surgeon who charges higher prices will be more qualified than a surgeon who offers the same procedures for less money; thus, patients should probably just choose the doctor who performed more implants before and who the patients are most comfortable with.

3. Anesthesia. General anesthesia (you are asleep) is more costly than a local anesthetic (you are sedated but remain awake), and it can range from $600 to $1000.

4. Incision type and Procedure. The type of breast surgery also influences cost for there are some implants techniques are easier and less time consuming.

5. Facility. There are some facilities that cost more than others, and they can range from $1000 to $2000.