Every year, many thousands of people go to a cosmetic surgeon and have unwanted body fat permanently taken out of their waistline and many other parts of the body. This procedure is known as liposculpture. It is the most popular form of cosmetic surgery, with all those thousands of patients adding up to be about 450,000 people each year who get liposculpture. If you're curious to become part of that number, it is crucial to do a bit of research into the procedure, understanding the risks, how much it costs, and what to expect after surgery. This Hub will take a look at all these points for you to consider.

The basics of the liposculpture technique have been around and in practice for decades now. Whether we are working with tumescent lipo, dry lip, or wet lipo, many of the details are consistent from technique to technique. Here is the stripped down version of how it works.

1. The doctor will place incisions into the skin. These incisions are very small, maybe half to a quarter of an inch. If at all possible, all incisions are hidden in the folds of the skin where are naturally present.

2. A piece of equipment called a cannula is inserted into the incisions and into the body. Guided with precision by the doctor, the cannula is moved through the body - taking care not to poke organs, body tissue, or disturb any blood vessels - and towards the fat that is to be removed. It is broken up and then literally sucked out of the body, much like how a vacuum cleaner works.

3. Once the fat is removed properly, the cannula is taken out.

4. The doctor then resculpts the area of the skin so it looks smooth and nice, improving its overall appearance.

A maximum of 10 pounds of fat is removed from the body in most cases. Beyond that and you face increased risks from the procedure.

Speaking of risks....

Liposculpture surgery is not without its risks. Like all surgery, there is going to be the chance for problems, for something to go wrong, and this certainly includes cosmetic surgery. Any entry way made into the body faces the risk of infection. The patient also must deal with swelling and numbness, which can sometimes extend well after surgery and in the worst case scenario, become permanent. When the doctor is guiding the cannula through the body, it can damage the internal organs and also rupture blood cells. Ruptured blood cells can create the very real risk of blood clotting.

The risks involved are serious and this is not an exhaustive explanation. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the risks you are facing when going in for treatment.

Prices fluctuate depending on where you live and what doctor you go to. Expect at least to spend $1,000-1,500. Rarely will an individual liposculpture treatment cost more than $5,000-$7,000. For more information on the costs of specific treatments by body part, see this site on cheap liposuction prices.

While the surgery itself is relatively quick and allows for most people to drive themselves home alone, there is a long recovery period involved in which the body heals itself. It is entirely common for swelling and numbness to persist for weeks. Patients must also wear garments to protect the treated area from infection and pressure, which could increase swelling and numbing sensations. For the results to be seen fully and without any ill effect, patients must expect to wait 3-6 months after their surgery is completed for the best results to emerge.