Liposuction
The mornings may be chilly but I’m already getting excited about the thought of a sunny Summer just on the horizon. We all want to feel our beach body best after a sluggish Winter so this week we continue our body contouring blog series. So far we’ve already considered the Mommy Makeover procedure and the innovative Vaser Lipo technology.
As more people commit themselves to a healthy lifestyle and seek ways to reach their ideal, Liposuction presents an often excellent and cost-effective path to achieving these goals. Better understanding of this popular procedure can help you get the best possible treatment and care.
Here is my Quick Read Crash Course on Liposuction:
1. What is traditional Liposuction?
Liposuction (also known as Liposculpture) is a surgical procedure that breaks down and removes the subcutaneous fat layer (fat just under the skin) in parts of the body that are notorious and stubbornly resistant to diet and exercise. This is not a weight-loss procedure; instead, it is a way to remove a pocket of fat that is not responsive in otherwise healthy individuals.
2. Where is Liposuction performed?
Some common “problem” areas of the body where liposuction is performed includes:
- Double Chin
- Back of Neck
- Bottom of Upper Arms
- Female Breasts
- Outer Thighs or Saddlebags
- Bra Strap Area
- Abdomen or Belly Pooch
- Muffin Top
- Love Handles
- Male Breasts
Less common areas include the ankles, inner thigh and upper back. The optimal area for each individual is unique, as each person responds to diet and exercise differently.
3. What makes an ideal candidate for the procedure?
The best candidates for Liposuction are healthy individuals at or close to their goal weight.
Ideal patients have stubborn subcutaneous fat, in which fat resides between muscle and skin, and not visceral fat in which the layer of fat resides beneath the muscle layer around the abdominal organs.
Additionally, a board-certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon will evaluate the condition of your skin during your consultation before recommending liposuction. Patients with good skin elasticity are good candidates for liposuction, whereas patients with loose skin or cellulite are not, as these conditions can result in uneven or dimpled skin.
4. Is Liposuction a weight loss procedure? How much fat can be removed?
Contrary to popular belief, Liposuction is not a weight-loss treatment. Instead, it is a fat reduction procedure. The amount of fat that can be removed in an area during a single procedure will vary depending on a variety of factors, including your surgeon’s assessment of your health and aesthetic goals.
5. What happens during the procedure? How is it performed?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves making small incisions in the skin and inserting a tool called a cannula into the fat pocket. This cannula is attached to a suction device or a syringe to extract the fat.
This is typically an outpatient surgery, so while patients may be put under general anesthesia, they are often allowed to go home the same day as the surgery.
6. What sort of scarring is expected after the procedure?
The cannula is a small instrument, and because of this, the scars are small as well. The number of scars is based on the number of insertion points needed to address the area. Scarring also varies depending on the patient’s skin quality. Your surgeon will discuss location and the ways in which they can minimise the appearance of scarring.
7. What kind of results should a patient expect after the procedure?
Your surgeon can help you anticipate and visualise realistic results. Immediately after surgery, there will be some swelling and the skin may be loose. Because of this, it can take several weeks to months to see the full extent of the results of the procedure.
The fat cells removed during Liposuction are permanently removed. It is important to note, however, that patients can still gain new fat cells, so following a healthy diet, lifestyle and exercise plan after treatment can help prevent new fat gain.
My Pro tip:
Plan your procedure for a time when you can get the rest your body needs to heal, the first three days of inactivity are crucial and it will take up to 6 weeks before most of the post-operative swelling has subsided. Ask your surgeon what the scheduling time is before surgery. Some surgeons may be booked out for months, while others may have openings next week. If you’re looking to complete your surgery and recovery for an upcoming event you will want to consider the surgeon’s availability.
Contact the DW Skin & Body team for more information and advice or email us on drdeonweyers@gmail.com