Are you considering liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits that won’t budge with diet and exercise? If so, you’re not alone. Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the world, and for good reason.
Liposuction is an effective way to sculpt and contour your body, helping you achieve the look you’ve always wanted. But before you schedule your procedure, it’s essential to know the facts. In this blog post, we’ll answer a few of the most frequently asked questions about liposuction to help you decide for yourself if liposuction is worth it for you.
1. Is Liposuction Safe?
Yes! Liposuction is a safe procedure when performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility. The surgery has been refined over several decades, and advancements in technology and techniques have made it safer than ever. These advanced techniques include high-definition liposculpture and 360 Lipo, which is full-circle liposuction of the torso. (Read more about HD lipo and how it’s different from traditional liposuction in our related blog post, and don’t miss our post that reveals 3 signs 360 Lipo is right for you.)
As with any surgery, liposuction has some risks and potential complications, but these can be minimized by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon and following all preoperative and postoperative instructions.
2. How Much Fat Can Be Removed With Liposuction?
Despite our best efforts, sometimes there are areas of fat that just won’t go away with exercise and diet. That’s where liposuction comes in. While the amount of fat that can be removed during a liposuction procedure varies, the maximum amount is generally around 5 liters (that’s about 11 pounds). However, the amount of fat removed will depend on the individual patient’s body composition and goals for the procedure.
3. What Can Liposuction Achieve That Diet and Exercise Can’t?
Liposuction isn’t a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise. For the best possible results, you should already be reasonably physically fit and at or near your goal weight before undergoing the procedure.
But unlike weight loss, which causes a reduction in the size of fat cells throughout the body, liposuction targets specific areas of fat cells, eliminating them altogether. This enables targeted body contouring for a more proportionate and aesthetically pleasing physique.
Some of the most common areas for liposuction are the hips, thighs, abdomen, and arms. It can also reduce the appearance of enlarged male breasts (gynecomastia) and facial and neck fat.
4. Does Liposuction Leave Scars?
The type and amount of scarring after liposuction varies depending on the extent of the procedure, the areas treated, your skin type, and how well you heal. Generally, liposuction incisions are very small, typically ranging from 3 to 5 millimeters in length, and are strategically placed in inconspicuous areas.
5. Is Liposuction Permanent?
Liposuction is a permanent solution for removing fat from specific body areas. Once the fat cells are removed from the treated area, they don’t grow back. However, liposuction doesn’t prevent remaining fat cells from growing larger, and it doesn’t guarantee permanent weight loss.
The long-term results of liposuction depend on several factors, including your lifestyle, diet, and exercise habits after the procedure. Liposuction results can be long-lasting if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid significant weight gain.
Ready To Lose That Extra Fat?
If you want to speak with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon about how liposuction can help you achieve your cosmetic goals, call our La Jolla, CA, office today at (858) 452-1981 or request a consultation .
To get an idea of what you can expect, check out the before-and-after photos of some of our previous liposuction patients.
