When considering liposuction, dissecting the fact from fiction of this procedure is a must.

Student girl with loupe in front of blackboard

     As one of the most talked about procedures in plastic surgery, liposuction can leave a prospective patient asking a lot of questions before choosing to proceed. Liposuction can be a life-changing procedure that is an excellent choice for those individuals looking to remove stubborn pockets of fat. The procedure is minimally invasive and requires little time off for recovery. That being said, it is not the answer to erasing all the body’s imperfections. It is important to understand the results you can expect before deciding whether this procedure is the right one for the goal you hope to accomplish. Below are 7 tall tales surrounding liposuction, and the truth exposed for each:

Tale #1: Nonsurgical Fat Reduction Techniques Produce the same Results.

Truth. There is no more efficient and effective means for the targeted removal of fat than through liposuction. For the majority of patients who choose nonsurgical fat reduction, the results attained are modest. The nonsurgical route also requires multiple treatments in order only to gain a minimal change, the cost of which, over time, can end up costing significantly more than you expected. Choosing liposuction over the nonsurgical option means obtaining meaningful results, with less time and money spent in the long run.

Tale #2: Any Doctor Can Perform Liposuction.

Truth. While there may be several types of doctors who offer liposuction at a reduced price, it is always best to have any plastic surgery procedure performed by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is the only type of physician actually trained and deemed qualified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons to perform liposuction. Education, experience, and results should be given just as much consideration as cost when deciding who you will trust to perform any surgical procedure. 

Tale #3: Liposuction Is A Solution For Weight Loss.

Truth. Liposuction is not a treatment for weight loss or obesity. Liposuction is more appropriately to be thought of as a contouring procedure. Its primary function is to remove the stubborn pockets of fat that have not responded to exercise or diet. If you are trying to lose weight, liposuction should be considered as a compliment to your efforts, not the solution.

Tale #4: Liposuction is Solution for Cellulite

Truth. Cellulite is the fat right below the surface of the skin that pushes through the connective tissues, giving the appearance of tiny bumps on the skin. Liposuction is used to slim and reshape specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits below the surface of the skin. As it will improve the contours of the body and proportionality, the appearance of cellulite on the skin’s surface can only be reduce, but not eliminated with this procedure.

Tale #5: Liposuction Is A Solution For Loose Skin.

Truth. While the removal of fat from liposuction will reshape the contours of the body, the elasticity of the skin is unaffected by this procedure. If your goal is to reshape the body, as well as tighten loosen skin at the surface, then liposuction is best paired with a lift procedure. Depending on the part of the body that is being targeted there are many types of lifts that can be optimized by the addition of liposuction, which include: Breast lift, tummy tuck, thigh lift, neck lift, and brachioplasty (arm lift). Pairing procedures ensures getting the results you aim to achieve, in a short amount of time.

Tale #6: The Results From Liposuction Are Permanent.

Truth. The results of liposuction can be long lasting, but liposuction does not remove every trace of fat. Any patient who has liposuction should know that after surgery is performed, it is up to them to maintain the results. If a patient is unhealthy, the fat cells that remain will continue to grow, new fat will present, and the patient will gain weight. Liposuction is always best when coupled with a healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.

Tale #7: Liposuction Does Not Require Surgery.

Truth. Even though liposuction is minimally invasive, you choose to undergo this plastic surgery procedure it will require the use of some sort of anesthesia, as small incisions will be made at the site for fat removal. Liposuction will result in the presence of small, discreet scars, and this procedure does involve a period for recovery.

     If large pockets of fat are causing a distortion in your body’s shape, liposuction may be right for you. Liposuction can reshape and perfect certain parts of the body that can be hard to change even with inclusion of a healthy diet and exercise as part of your daily routine. Understanding any plastic surgery procedure and the results you can expect, is a critical first step. For more information on liposuction and any other procedure you may be considering, contact us today. Dr. Madda is here to answer all your plastic surgery questions.