Today, I answer the most common questions I hear regarding Liposuction. I preface this by saying there are exceptions to every rule and there is no substitution for an in person evaluation with a qualified and experienced Plastic Surgeon. With the disclaimers out of the way, let’s get right into answering your Liposuction Questions.
Liposuction of the abdomen is the most common area for selective fat reduction. The Liposuction before and after pictures above show the reduction in fat and the enhancement on aesthetic contours achieved by Liposuction for this patient.
Can Anyone Get Liposuction?
No. You must be an adult in good physical health and close to your desired body weight.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is an outpatient surgical procedure that selectively removes pockets of disproportionate fat.
How Long Does Liposuction Last?
As long as you maintain your weight. Some changes will come with age, but these also happen when Liposuction is not performed.
Does Liposuction Hurt?
Yes. Liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia for smaller areas, but is most commonly done under general anesthesia for patient comfort and safety. After surgery pain is most noticeable the first few days and then settles down to muscle aches.
Is Liposuction Safe?
Yes. For the properly selected patient and when performed in the proper setting with an experienced and Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Liposuction is safe.
Can Liposuction Tighten Loose Skin?
A little. It is important to know that the tightening comes from the intrinsic elasticity of the skin. For skin with poor elasticity – older patients, patients with collagen disorders and patients who have been significantly larger and heavier before Liposuction, skin tightening is less likely. Despite advertisements for ultrasound and laser assisted liposuction, these added energies increase the risk of burns and provide poor additional skin tightening. The Liposuction before and after pictures above show the results of disproportionate fat removal from beneath skin with good tone.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
Just enough, but not too much. You don’t want the lowest price, but the highest price may not provide better results. The cost of Liposuction includes the surgeon’s fee, the operating room, anesthesia, garments, prescription meds, scar treatments. Some patients may also benefit from massage and lymphatic drainage. The number of areas that you want treated will also affect the cost.
What to Expect After Liposuction Surgery?
Liposuction is safe and effective for the removal of pocket of disproportionate fat. The better the skin elasticity and the more disproportionate the fat, the faster the results are seen and the better the overall result.
Does Liposuction Leave Scars?
Yes. They are small and the sites are chosen to make them less obvious. Proper care during and after surgery can help diminish their appearance. I use ports during surgery to protect the skin from the friction of the cannulas during Liposuction.
How Much Fat can Liposuction Remove?
The absolute maximum amount of fat removed during Liposuction is five liters. This is about five kilograms or approximately eleven pounds. Most Liposuction procedures remove less, because the goal is a great result with aesthetic proportions not maximum removal at all costs.
What to do Before Liposuction Procedure?
Get healthy. If you know you need to lose weight, do it. Liposuction is not a weight reduction or even maintenance tool. It is for sculpting a body of disproportionate not excessive fat. Before surgery, you will be instructed to avoid certain medications, and you should have an empty stomach, even if you are having the procedure under local anesthesia.
Where is Liposuction Applied?
Liposuction is performed in areas of disproportionate fat. The most common areas are the abdomen, flanks (sides), thighs and back. Other common areas include the neck and arms, but these require special attention to not creating a new problem with loose skin.
Can Liposuction Fix Cellulite?
No. Cellulite is not due to fat, it is due to how the skin is attached to the muscle beneath it. Sometimes it looks better, sometimes it looks worse. Most of the time it looks the same and just goes along for the ride.
Can Liposuction Reverse Diabetes?
Maybe, but this is not an indication for Liposuction. Studies have shown an improvement in diabetes in patients who have undergone large volume liposuction. On the other hand, large volume liposuction is not recommended in most cases. Instead, diet and exercise are used for more permanent weight loss.
Does Liposuction Fat Come Back?
Fat does not come back by itself. If you gain weight, fat will return. It could come back in the same place, someplace new or in most cases more proportionately.
What Age is Best for Liposuction?
Young adults tend to have the best skin elasticity and as a result the best results. You need to be at least 18, and after 50 the results tend to drop off. Everybody is different and your doctor should help guide you in this area. More important than a good age is good health.
Can Liposuction Change Body Shape?
That’s kind of the point. Areas of disproportionate fat are reduced; moreover, in some cases, fat can be transferred to areas that are deficient. On the other hand, Liposuction cannot improve muscle tone, change the shape of the skeleton, thin the skin or remove redundant skin.
Can You Get Liposuction Twice?
Yes, Liposuction can be repeated. There are times when fat redistributes as we age. Liposuction can be utilized to reduce the disproportionate collections. If this is solely from weight gain, Liposuction can be repeated, but the results tend to be less dramatic for repeat Liposuction.
Liposuction Consultation
When considering Liposuction you want to choose an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. For Liposculpture Consultations in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, call (925) 943-6353 and schedule an appointment. It is the technician, not the technique that determines your results.
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