If fashion trends are of any indication, thin is always in. Thus the term fat is always shunned by the beauty-conscious and health freaks a like. The beauty industry thrives on ‘fat’ with magical creams, massages, vibrators, external thermolysis, magne to theraopy... which guarantee a reduction of 10 kilos in 10 days.

Let’s have a quick-look at the., fat facts.

Fat resides in cells called adipocytes. They multiply during childhood until adolescence after which the fat call number is more or less fixed.

One grows fat when the fat cells grow bigger.

Dieting and exercise help the fat cells to shrink. But once stopped they bloat up again.

`95 There are certain areas of the body where it is very difficult for the body to burn fat, like hips ~ and buttocks.

Therefore, a sensible diet with proper exercise. Will help retain the body shape. A permanent fat reduction is obtained by liposuction or by cutting it away. In liposuction, a small cut is made in a hidden area and fat is sucked out by a hollow metal tube (cannula), which is connected to a negative pressure. Back and forth movements of the cannula ensure the complete removal of fat.

A designated quantity of fluid that reduces bleeding is injected (tumescent or superwet technique) before the process commences. This reduces blood loss to about 10-15 mls for every litre, of fat removed. Best results are obtained when liposuction is limited to specific.

Liposuction is not a means to reduce weight. It is effective in correcting a deformity like bulged hips. Once fat is sucked out, the skin becomes relatively loose. Normal skin is capable of shrinking to adapt to the new contour. Conversely, areas of lose skin with fat cannot be effectively treated by liposuction alone. They need skin-fat removal.

Liposuction is less painful than most surgical procedures. The patent has to wear a compression garment for 2-3 weeks. The results are evident 3-6 weeks after the surgery as it takes time for the skin swelling to go down and tighten around the opening

The cheeks chin and arms, chest in men and women, abdomen, flanks, hips, buttocks, thighs and knees are areas where can be effective. Collection of fat called lipomas can also be effectively sucked out

In case of excess skin and fat a reduction operation is necessary. Typically, one sees a lower abdomtion inal bulge after pregnancies. This may be associated with a weakening of the abdominal wall (her Both can be corrected by a tummy tuck’ (abdominoplasty). This leaves a tight abdomen and a scar withi the bikini line Similarly, a thigh lift or a total lower body lift is done to get rid of the excess thigh skin. Scars in this region of the body are not visible body are not visible.

Gynaecomastia in men is a common problem and is esily corrected by a combination of lipose through a small cut made on the peripheryof the areole (the brown skin surrouding the nipple).

These bodyrecontouring procedures restore positive self-image and make one feel yunger. In addition, reduction of fat reduces car diovascular risks and in diabetics, the insulin requirements.