excerpt from:
PLASTIC SURGERY UPDATE

Liposuction

Liposuction is not the surgical answer to dieting. Rather, this procedure, which has become the most common type of plastic surgery performed in the U. S. today focuses on and corrects regional abnormalities. Patients in their twenties and up are having fatty tissues removed from "saddle bags," the fullness under their chins, knees, thighs, and "love handles." Liposuction is usually performed in the surgeon's office under IV sedation or a general anesthetic. In our office we have been using epidural anesthesia success-fully. This enables a patient to have total comfort during the procedure and to go home without the potential complications of general anesthesia. Keep in mind that, in many cases, a future touch-up is often necessary to achieve the best results. Candidates for liposuction must have good skin elasticity if the skin is to contract back properly after the procedure. Liposuction generally is not insurance reimbursable.

Decide With Care

The decision to have plastic surgery is a personal one and depends on your individual values. The most satisfied patient is one whose decision to undergo plastic surgery is self-motivated, not the result of pressure from a spouse or parent. And remember, choose a Board Certified plastic surgeon as carefully as you would your internist or family physician.