Fat, Begone! 9 Surprising Liposuction Facts

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2023-05-11 05:30 AM | By Tamira Scientific Committee
Liposuction
Fat, Begone! 9 Surprising Liposuction Facts

Are you considering liposuction surgery? If yes, then you should be aware of some important things before going ahead with the procedure. There are several liposuction facts and myths, which are often misunderstood or misused. In this article, we'll give you more information about the procedure and surprising liposuction facts you do not know before.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure to remove excess fat from certain areas of the body. This can include removing localized pockets of fat found under the chin, around the knees, thighs, hips, arms, breasts, etc. The goal is to achieve a slimmer figure.

While liposuction is a safe and effective treatment for removing unwanted fat, it is important to remember that it is not a magic bullet for weight loss. While liposuction removes stubborn fat, it does not reduce overall calorie intake.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

Anyone who has unwanted fat that is resistant to exercise and dieting is a potential candidate for liposuction. However, there are certain factors that determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure. Your plastic surgeon will perform a thorough consultation and analysis of your condition before determining if liposuction is right for you. The following conditions require further evaluation:

  • Areas of Fat Retention
  • Significant Weight Gains or Losses in the last year
  • Extreme Obesity
  • Significant Health Problems Associated With Excess Body Fat
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • High Cholesterol
  • Visible Scars From Illnesses
  • Poor Self Esteem And Low Motivation To Lose Weight
  • Smoker
  • Pregnancy

If any of these apply to you, we recommend you schedule a consultation with a leading cosmetologist so he/she can evaluate your candidacy.

What are the benefits of liposuction?

There are many benefits to liposuction. Some of them include:

1) It improves your confidence by making you feel better about yourself. Many women have told us that they felt better about themselves after having had liposuction. They said that their self-esteem improved because they were able to wear clothes that showed off their toned bodies.

2) It corrects physical imperfections such as uneven skin tone, large pores, and fatty deposits. These issues may cause low self-confidence and make people feel less attractive. By undergoing the procedure, these problems will be fixed permanently.

3) It gives you a smoother, tighter feeling in the areas where there was once extra fat. This makes it easier for you to wear tight-fitting clothing. You’ll also find that you have more energy throughout the day, which means you’re not dragging around all day long.

4) Having surgery can help you get rid of cellulite. Cellulite occurs when the subcutaneous connective tissue becomes lax over time. When fat cells become enlarged, the connective tissue weakens and allows dimpled skin to form on the surface of the body. This causes the skin to appear lumpy. During the liposuction process, the surgeon will work to break up the lumps so that the skin appears smooth again.

5) Liposuction isn't painful. You won't feel any pain during the actual liposuction part of the surgery. However, you might experience mild discomfort afterward. 

6) Your scars will fade within 3-6 months. Scars vary in color and texture depending upon the amount of fat removed. Those who undergo smaller procedures tend to leave behind finer, softer scars than those who have larger operations. 

7) After the procedure, you can resume normal activities immediately. No special restrictions apply following liposuction.

8) You can lose weight after liposuction. Although losing weight requires dedication, dieting, and exercise, liposuction helps speed up the results. 

9 Surprising Liposuction Facts

Liposuction has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in recent years. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), over 211,067 liposuction surgeries were performed in 2020 alone (R). Here are 9 surprising liposuction facts that you probably didn’t know before.

1. It does not eliminate all the fat.

While many people may assume that they will be left with just a thin layer of skin after liposuction, this is not always the case. Patients can still have significant amounts of fat remaining even weeks or months later. This is why many doctors do suggest follow-up visits for patients who had liposuction to monitor their results and ensure there is no regrowth of unwanted bulges.

If you wish to remove fat that exists in the arms, thighs, midsection, and other parts of the body, then liposuction would not be the right procedure. You have to discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Remember, liposuction eliminates fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. If you wish to enjoy the benefits to the fullest, you should be a non-smoker, fit and active after the procedure. 

2. Liposuction can be performed with other procedures.

Although liposuction is typically done on its own, it can also be combined with other treatments. For example, if you want to improve your breasts naturally without undergoing any invasive surgical procedures, then breast augmentation could be an option. Other examples include combining liposuction with tummy tucks, arm lifts, facelifts, etc. Your doctor can give you more information about these options.

3. Liposuction has certain risks.

This is one of the popular facts about liposuction that most people do not know. There are several potential complications associated with liposuction. The main risk factor is bleeding during the procedure. Other common risks include infection, bruising, damage to nearby nerves or blood vessels, formation of scar tissue or pockets which cause fluid retention, as well as permanent numbness or paralysis of the treated area.

4. Anesthesia varies between surgeons and facilities.

The type of anesthesia used during liposuction largely depends on the facility where the operation takes place. Some doctors use general anesthesia while others utilize local anesthesia that uses injections directly into the treatment areas. General anesthesia puts patients at higher risk for complications because the patient is asleep throughout the entire process. Local anesthesia allows patients to feel what’s taking place but it doesn’t completely block out the pain. However, some women find the process uncomfortable so they request general anesthesia instead.

5. Patients must prepare physically and mentally before surgery.

Before having liposuction, patients need to work closely with their plastic surgeon and undergo thorough preoperative preparation. This includes developing a realistic postoperative plan regarding how much weight they can lose and when they can return to regular activities. They should try to avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption. They should also make sure they get adequate sleep and eat healthy foods leading up to the day of the surgery.

6. Recovery time varies based on the technique used.

Traditional liposuction requires a longer downtime compared to less intrusive procedures. Approximately two weeks are needed for swelling and bruising to go down. During this period, light activity is allowed however heavy lifting needs to wait until the patient feels ready. Traditional liposuction usually leaves behind large scars that take several months to fade away completely. Fortunately, newer techniques minimize the visibility of scars.

7. Liposuction does not tighten skin.

Liposuction breaks up fat cells by suction; therefore, it will not tighten loose or wrinkled skin. If you have sagging skin due to aging or genetics, then liposuction won’t provide immediate results. It may require additional procedures such as dermal fillers or Botox to achieve desired effects.

8. Results vary from patient to patient.

No two bodies look exactly alike and thus no two patients experience identical outcomes after liposuction. Although traditional liposuction removes excess fat, non-invasive procedures transfer energy to targeted problem zones causing them to become firmer and tighter. Younger patients generally see better success than older ones.

9. Liposuction surgery is location-specific.

To remove excess fat from a particular area, liposuction is performed with a cannula that is inserted into the body through tiny incisions. The surgeon then uses suction to suck out the unwanted fatty tissue. During this process, the surrounding tissues are also removed and tightened. Liposuction is used to remove fat from particular areas of the body such as the abdomen, thighs, or arms. It does not target any specific area. In general, it is not designed to target any particular area of the body. However, some people with very localized areas of excess fat may find that liposuction helps them achieve their aesthetic goals.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth it to get liposuction?

The answer depends on what you want to achieve from liposuction. If you want to lose weight and look better, then yes, it is worth it.  However, remember that liposuction is permanent and cannot be reversed. If you have a lot of weight to lose, then liposuction is probably not the right choice for you.

Is liposuction considered major surgery?

Liposuction is considered a major surgery, and it requires general anesthesia. The procedure takes about 1 hour and may be combined with other procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or rhinoplasty. The results are permanent and patients should consider themselves candidates for a cosmetic surgery unless they have medical concerns.

What is alternative to liposuction?

There are several liposuction alternatives to treat localized areas of fat including:

  • CoolSculpting - This uses controlled cooling to target and eliminate stubborn pockets of fat in problem areas like the chin, arms, abdomen, back and thighs. It can also reduce fat bulges under the skin that form after pregnancy.
  • Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction (UAL) – UAL combines ultrasound waves with traditional liposuction techniques to help remove more fat while leaving behind less damage than traditional liposuction.
  • Laser Lipo – Lasers use heat energy to break down fatty tissue and stimulate collagen production. Some lasers tighten sagging skin by stimulating new collagen growth.
  • Cellfina - Cellfina is FDA approved to improve body contour irregularities, such as loose, saggy skin, excess fat deposits and cellulite. Cellfina works by breaking up fat cells into smaller particles which are eliminated through the lymphatic system.

Does liposuction hurt?

Yes, liposuction hurts. During the actual liposuction part, a local anaesthesia is applied to numb the area. In addition to this numbing medication, most patients receive intravenous sedation during the procedure. Many people experience some degree of pain, swelling, bruising and discomfort. All these side effects will subside within 2 weeks after your liposuction procedure. Most of our patients describe their recovery period as being 4 days long.

Does liposuction work on belly fat?

Yes, liposuction works on belly fat. Belly fat is also known as visceral fat. Visceral fat is located deep inside the abdominal cavity, around the organs. Liposuction removes excess fat from the abdomen, hips, thighs, knees, buttocks, upper arms, neck, chin, breasts, stomach, back, and flanks.

How many sizes do you lose with liposuction?

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed today. While it may not be a weight loss procedure, it can help you achieve a slimmer waistline and smaller thighs. When done correctly, liposuction can remove between 1/2 cup to 2 cups of fat. It depends on where exactly on your body you're trying to lose weight. After having had weight loss surgery, if you are already close to reaching your next size down, then it’s likely you will reach that size soon after the procedure. In general, the most you can expect from liposuction is an improvement of at least 2 dress sizes, which is quite a bit of weight loss.

How much does liposuction cost in India?

The cost of liposuction varies based upon several different factors including location (rural areas have higher costs than urban centers), how advanced the case is, what type of anesthesia is used, etc. Generally speaking, the average price tag for a single-area liposuction procedure range from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 5,00,000. This doesn't include possible post-operative care such as overnight hospital stay, anesthesia time, facility fees, doctor's visit(s) after surgery, etc. As always, please contact the physician to learn more about pricing for your specific situation.

What are the risks associated with liposuction?

Like all surgeries, liposuction carries its own unique set of risks. These risks are generally very minor and usually don't affect the outcome of the surgery. 

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