Definition of Suction-assisted lipectomy

Suction-assisted lipectomy: Another name for liposuction, the surgical removal of fat deposits from specific parts of the body, the most common being the abdomen (the "tummy"), buttocks ("behind"), hips, thighs and knees, chin, upper arms, back, and calves. The technique breaks up and "sucks" fat out of the body through a cannula (a hollow instrument) inserted subdermally (under the skin) thanks to a strong high-pressure vacuum that is applied to the cannula. In ultrasonic assisted liposuction (UAL), the cannula is energized with ultrasonic energy, causing the fat to melt away on contact, an advantage in areas of scar tissue such as the male breast, back, and in areas of prior liposuction. The disadvantages of UAL include the need for longer incisions in the skin, potential for skin or internal burns, greater cost, and longer time. No matter how liposuction is done, it is considered completely cosmetic in nature.