Many people know the frustration of putting their all into diet and exercise, right up until they get down to the last few pounds that are too stubborn to come off. That’s where liposuction comes in. LIPOSUCTION IS A COSMETIC PROCEDURE used for permanently removing fat cells. In essence, the liposuction procedure is tailor-made to blast away the few vanity pounds separating you from your goal body.
At the Aesthetic Center at Woodholme, our plastic surgeons look forward to helping you achieve the body you desire. Liposuction procedures can also be paired with other surgeries in order for you to achieve your aesthetic goals. Many individuals opt to pair their liposuction procedure with a tummy tuck to also remove excess skin.
How Liposuction Works
In a liposuction procedure, the patient is first numbed with local or general anesthesia, depending on the part of the body that’s being treated. Then, the surgeon usually makes an incision in the treatment area to allow access to the unwanted fat and the excess fat is effectively “sucked out.”
Once the fat cells are removed, they’re gone forever allowing you to enjoy your new and improved body contouring procedure results. However, the patient can still make remaining fat cells bigger if they gain additional weight.
Liposuction surgery can be used on virtually any part of the body with unwanted fat. Some common treatment areas are the abdomen, hips, and thighs, where both men and women are prone to storing fat. Liposuction treatment can also be used to treat other areas of the body with stubborn fat, including:
- Back
- Flanks
- Chest
- Knees
- Under chin
- Upper arms
Liposuction Recovery
Because it’s a surgical procedure, liposuction recovery requires some healing time before the intended results can be seen. The patient will likely experience inflammation, bruising, and swelling, which may take several weeks to a couple of months to heal. During their recovery period, the patient may also be instructed to take antibiotics and pain medication.
Liposuction Results
After about four weeks, the swelling will be reduced significantly, and the patient should be able to enjoy their new, permanent figure. However, results only last as long as a healthy weight is maintained through diet and exercise.
Liposuction Risks
Like all invasive medical procedures, liposuction isn’t without its risks. All surgeries carry a risk of infection, bleeding, or allergic reaction to anesthesia. Other risks include blood clots, numbness, and asymmetry. However, as long as you work with a board-certified plastic surgeon, the likelihood of developing complications from liposuction are relatively rare.
Best Candidate
The ideal candidate for liposuction is in overall good general health and has realistic expectations of the procedure. They should also be looking to lose just a handful of pounds to achieve their goal. Liposuction isn’t recommended for dramatic weight loss or as a treatment for obesity. Skin elasticity is also a factor in getting the desired results from liposuction. In short, skin that has maintained its elasticity heals faster and “snaps back” to resemble the intended result.
Consult an Expert
The best way to get the figure you want is to work with a trained expert. Luckily, the friendly staff at the Aesthetic Center at Woodholme are experienced enough to answer all your questions. If you’re interested to see if liposuction is the right choice for you, set up a consultation with Drs. Papel, Kontis, and Brown at the Aesthetic Center at Woodholme.
Dr. Ira D. Papel is certified in Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Papel earned his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and his M.D. from Boston University of Medicine. He completed a residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and a fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Papel is considered an international expert in rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and facial aesthetic surgery.