Is Liposuction Right for Me?
Would you like to improve your body’s shape? Winter is the perfect time to think about this type of cosmetic procedure so you’ll be ready for a summer wardrobe and swimsuit season.
Liposuction is an especially appealing option for men and women who want to rid themselves of bothersome fat deposits. The advantages of liposuction are myriad, but there are some misconceptions about the procedure, so it’s important to have the full story before you move forward. Here are a few important things you should know:
- Liposuction is a focused procedure. Liposuction is used to treat defined areas of the body, not the entire body as a whole. The procedure improves your shape by targeting isolated pockets of fat that have resisted diet and exercise, such as love handles or saddle bags.
- Liposuction is not a weight loss method. While it does remove fat, liposuction is not a substitute for maintaining a healthy diet or an exercise regimen. The ideal candidate for liposuction has a stable weight that is within 30 percent of his or her target weight.
- Liposuction is generally better suited for younger patients. Skin elasticity is big factor that contributes to a successful liposuction procedure—the better the skin tone, the more likely it is that liposuction will produce a smooth, toned look. While lipo is not ruled out for older patients, an experienced plastic surgeon can help determine if you have the appropriate amount of elasticity in your skin to allow it to contract effectively after the procedure.
- Liposuction results develop over time. Are you patient enough to wait for results? Although some improvement is seen soon after the procedure, healing is gradual after liposuction. Residual swelling and bruising resolve during the weeks following surgery, and the new silhouette is revealed from 3 to 6 months following the procedure.
So, are you still wondering if liposuction is right for you? One of the great things about liposuction is that it can be used to shape practically any individual part of the body: hips, thighs, abdomen, buttocks, upper arms, calves, ankles, or under the chin. I use tumescent liposuction in my practice—the gold standard—which provides superior results with a minimum of downtime and discomfort. Tumescent liposuction involves the use of a diluted solution of local anesthetic and other medications to remove excess fat. It is performed in our beautiful Quad-A certified ambulatory surgery center under the safety of a board certified anesthesiologist.
One of the benefits of liposuction is that it offers results that are permanent, provided the patient maintains a stable weight. Patients can also combine liposuction with other body contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty (also known as a tummy tuck).
If you’re considering body sculpting with liposuction, be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to make sure you receive sound advice and safe medical care. Please come in for a consultation so we can discuss whether liposuction is the right choice for you.