What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a type of surgery that breaks up adipose tissue (fat) in an individual's body and then removes it. Liposuction is also referred to as lipoplasty, lipectomy, liposculpture suction, or lipo in the medical community. This type of cosmetic surgical procedure is most often utilized to remove fat from an individual's back, calves, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, chin, upper arms, neck, and back of the arms. Currently, liposuction is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States, with over 300,000 procedures administered annually. Liposuction is not effective for the removal of dimples, stretch marks, or cellulite.