liposuction

liposuction The surgical suctioning of fat deposits from specific parts of the body, the most common being the abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs and knees, chin, upper arms, back, and calves. A hollow instrument called a cannula is inserted under the skin to break up the fat. A high-pressure vacuum is then applied to the cannula to suck out the fat. Liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic operations in the US. See also liposuction, tumescent; liposuction, ultrasonic-assisted.