By Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran

Despite enjoying good health and a reasonable level of fitness, certain individuals have a body with disproportionate contours due to localized fat deposits.

These deposits usually persist in spite of proper diet and exercise, making surgery inevitable in certain cases.

Also known as lipoplasty, liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas by removing excess fat deposits, improving body contours and proportions.

Some surgeons however believe such operations are associated with various complications and that its disadvantages outweigh its benefits.

We have therefore asked Dr. Javad Khalili-Pouya, a professor affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences and a skilled surgeon in the field of liposuction to share his views with us on this operation.

Press TV: What is liposuction and how effective is it?

Khalili-Pouya: Liposuction is a procedure used for eliminating excess localized fat deposits which can improve an individual's figure.

It is an effective treatment for excess fat deposits in regions such as double chin, face, hands, breast, abdomen and flanks, back, internal and external areas of the thigh, and leg. The technique is the most effective and exceptional method in improving body contour.

There are several different types of liposuction techniques. In these methods, however, physiologic solution, adrenalin, lidocaine and bicarbonate sodium are injected into the treatment area, with the aim of numbing it, controlling blood loss, and facilitating the fat removal process. The fat is then suctioned through specific tubes.

Press TV: Is liposuction considered a weight loss technique? Does it effectively treat cellulites?

Khalili-Pouya: Liposuction is used for improving body contour and eliminating excess body deposits. The best results are seen following performing the operation on the abdomen, flanks and external areas of the thighs.

The effect of liposuction in treating obesity is controversial. The technique cannot be considered as a weight loss method, indicating that individuals whose weight is 5 percent higher than their ideal weight are the best candidates for the operation.

The cosmetic and fitness outcome of the operation in obese individuals is reported to be poor.

Young individuals with appropriate skin turgor who have fat deposits in one or more region of their body are therefore considered the best candidates for the operation.

Press TV: How long do the effects last?

Khalili-Pouya: Although fat cells are permanently removed from the treatment area during the procedure, it is important to realize that liposuction does not prevent weight gain.

Individuals may gain about 10 to 20 kg after liposuction particularly in areas on which the procedure has not been performed.

In order to maintain the results, it is important to follow a healthy diet and exercise routine. In other words, weight gain is an important threat for the outcome of liposuction; the cessation of exercise and not following the weight loss diet at any stage after the operation would cause complications in these patients.

Press TV: What are the main complications associated with liposuction?

Khalili-Pouya:The main complications associating liposuction can be classified in two major groups:

-General complications consist of cardiovascular, respiratory events, emboli, hypovolemic shock, and infection of the fatty tissue.

-Specific complications include seroma (a pocket of clear serous fluid that may develop after surgery), bleeding, insufficient/excessive liposuction, dissymmetry, and nerve and vascular injury.

Fat emboli, the most critical general complication reported following the operation, can be prevented through the application of tumescent fluid, the appropriate technique, the smaller cannulas, and prophylactic heparin.

As for the specific complications, dissymmetry is considered the most important complication as it is difficult and sometimes impossible to correct this problem. The level of the surgeon's expertise is the most important factor responsible for lowering the rate of such complications.

Press TV: What about tummy-tucks?

Khalili-Pouya: A tummy tuck or dermolipectomy is an effective cosmetic surgery in individuals with loose skin, fat deposits, and stretch marks in the abdominal region particularly due to multiple pregnancies.

Substantial weight loss can also contribute to the development of loose skin in the abdomen, as these areas typically persist despite having a proper diet and getting exercise, making the abdomen and flanks disproportionate with the rest of the body.

It can also help tighten vertical abdominal muscles, restoring the appearance of a firmer, flatter abdomen.

Tummy tuck procedures can be performed alone, or in association with liposuction; the latter technique is known as "no scalpel tummy tuck".

A tummy tuck is not an appropriate treatment for obesity, nor should it be considered as a substitute for a proper diet and exercise. It should be noted that only healthy and relatively fit individuals are good candidate for this procedure.

Press TV: Any last words…?

Khalili Pouya: Cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction are improving every day due to improvements in the knowledge and skill of surgeons along with available techniques, liposuction has become an outstanding technique in improving body contour.