Liposuction
Your cardio plan was a smash success and you lost tons of weight, but you’re still harboring pockets of blubber around your belly and your love handles provide ample grip. Liposuction can remove that fat in an instant, giving you a perfectly sculpted body. During the procedure the surgeon will insert the liposuction tube -- a fancy vacuum cleaner -- and suck out the excess fat. Depending on how much fat was removed and how elastic your skin is, the surgeon may then remove sections of loose skin. The whole procedure can take anywhere from one to four hours, depending on the extent of the fat removal.

Risks: Although liposuction seems like a simple procedure, it’s actually quite traumatic to the affected area. During the procedure, the matrix that holds your skin to your body is ripped away, leaving a massive wound for your body to deal with. Swelling is common and sometimes so great that compression garments (tight clothing) must be worn to keep swelling to a minimum. Bruising in the area is also common, but usually subsides in about a week. It can take up to three weeks for a full recovery from the procedure and even then, numbness can persist in the area.

Costs: Depending on the extent of your surgery, liposuction can cost between $1,500 and $15,000.

Under the Blade
The world is pretty superficial and the pressure to be a sculpted, youthful god can be overwhelming. But beware: Plastic surgery is still surgery and is inherently painful and risky. Think long and hard before you submit to going under the knife, and remember that men get character, while women age.

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