Dr Tahir Shafi Khan is a consultant plastic surgeon at the Aga Khan University, and a member of Healing Hands clinic, Pakistan Association of Plastic Surgeons. Sci-tech World discussed with him the various issues, reservations and trends regarding liposuction treatment in Pakistan. Excerpts from the interview...

What are the current trends related to liposuction in Pakistan?

The trend has set in quickly but quietly; there are many people who are looking to liposuction in order to get rid of fatty masses from the localised areas of their body. It is now common in men for reducing enlarged chests and abdomen, in women for reducing hips, thighs, arms and chins, and in both genders, for decreasing the size of abdomen (stomach).

How workable is this treatment?

The treatment does work if you want to remove bulks of fats in areas which have been previously tried with dietary control and exercises. It gives good results especially to those who have been already maintaining a good healthy, balanced diet and regular exercises pre-and post-operation.

What are the misconceptions related to liposuction in our society?

Many people believe that liposuction is a complicated and very dangerous treatment. On the contrary, it is quite safe and an uncomplicated procedure if done with strict adherence to the basic principles of liposuction techniques and performed by a qualified, trained and experienced surgeon. One must understand and remember that liposuction is not a shortcut for weight-reduction, or an alternate for healthy diet and exercise, but it is a doorway towards a healthy lifestyle. If the patient, for example, does not follow a regular exercise and diet routine after liposuction, the bulk of fat can easily reoccur and can lead to various other problems.

What are the common risk factors associated with liposuction?

Since this surgical treatment involves only little cuts and lot of fluid injections on the skin from where the fats has to be removed, there are normally little to no post-operative complications. However, the chances of complications increase if the surgeon is untrained, or not fully qualified to carry out the procedure.

What should a person who wants liposuction treatment keep in mind when going for the procedure?

I would urge the patients not to blindly follow the trends and approach clinics which are not offering safe and standardised liposuction procedures. It is very important that before consulting any surgeon, the patient must research and confirm the valid required qualification of the surgeon. In this regard, I suggest that the patients should only visit surgeons associated and approved by the Pakistan Association of Plastic Surgeons.

Are you satisfied with the quality of liposuction being widely offered at various private clinics these days?

I am not happy or satisfied with the present scenario related to the mushroom clinics which have come up with liposuction treatments. But at the same time, I believe every practitioner has the right to practice. However, I do want and hope that these practitioners would follow a self-imposed ethical filter for ensuring safe and principled liposuction treatment to their patients and would not, for monitory gains, endanger lives of their patients.— S.E.K.