What are the benefits of liposuction if it doesn’t actually cause weight loss?
Summer is coming! Let’s be honest. Whether the temperature outside is in the teens or setting records during heat waves, summer is always coming. And that means that, before you know it and quite likely before you’re ready, you will be forced to abandon the baggy sweaters and sweatpants and start shopping for tank tops, shorts and, yes, bathing suits.
Does swimsuit shopping excite you because of all of the options in styles and colors or is what you are feeling more akin to frustration? Are you perhaps a bit discouraged because you have been really working at dieting and exercise but there are those bulges on your tummy or thighs that just won’t budge?
Liposuction can be the answer for those areas where fat has accumulated and is resistant to diet and exercise. It does not take the place of actual weight loss. That’s where you have to put in the work with a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutritional choices and consistent levels of activity to reduce and tone your body. That said, sometimes you can do everything right and there still remains those areas that simply do not respond. This is where liposuction comes in.
Cosmetic surgery is more popular now than it has ever been and that trend shows no signs of changing. Liposuction is currently at the top of the list, with well over a quarter of a million people in the U.S. requesting it each year. This is largely due to the fact that not only is it considered effective, but with the advances in technology, it is far less invasive or painful than in the past and the time required for the procedure and recovery has been reduced.
Areas in Which Liposuction is Effective
The most common areas where liposuction is used to remove stubborn fat deposits include:
- Abdomen
- Chin
- Neck
- Arms, particularly the upper arms
- Hips
- Thighs
- Buttocks
- Calves
- Ankles
- Chest
- Back
Are You a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Good candidates for liposuction are adults who are in good health and at, or close to, their ideal body weight, with good muscle tone. The firmer and more elastic the skin is, the better the results will be. As with any type of invasive procedure, the individual should be free of any conditions or issues that would interfere with healing. Some of those include:
- Diabetes
- Compromised or weakened immune system
- Coronary artery disease
- Any sort of restricted or diminished blood flow issue
It is also important that the individual be a nonsmoker or commit to quitting smoking well before and after the procedure. Smoking has been determined to increase the chances of complications and interfere with the healing process.
Perhaps what should be at the top of the list for what makes a good candidate for liposuction is to have realistic expectations. For example, it will not get rid of cellulite, so make sure to be open with your surgeon beforehand about your goals. Liposuction will not make dramatic changes, but it can slim, shape and contour those areas that you have struggled with, and this can help to increase the confidence you have in how you look.
Dr. Brian D. Cohen is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive training in cosmetic/reconstructive plastic surgery and has had years of experience performing a wide array of cosmetic surgery procedures, specializing in procedures of the face, eyes, nose, breast and body and is known for his exemplary and compassionate care by his patients. Knowing that Dr. Cohen has been selected by his peers in Super Doctors for 8 years in a row in 2020 gives you the confidence that he is highly respected for his performance in his specialty.
Information on locations and office hours for Cohen Plastic Surgery can be found by clicking here.