The Fat Will Come Back

Many people say that the fat comes back after liposuction.  This is inherently untrue, as your body stops producing new fat cells after adolescence.  Fat cells, however, can absorb larger amounts of fat if there is a need to store it.  Because of this, fat left over in an area that has been treated can absorb more fat over time, causing the patient to regain weight.  The solution is to maintain healthy diet and exercise after surgery and to avoid gaining excessive amounts of weight.

The Fat Goes Somewhere Else

Fat doesn’t simply move around after surgery.  What can happen, however, is that your body will still need to store the excess fat you take in that can not be digested.  With fat cells in one location gone, the body will store the fat in a new location.  Again the solution is weight maintenance and a healthy exercise regimen.

Liposuction Fixes Cellulite

Cellulite is a band of fibers between the muscle and the skin.  It is actually very tight tissue that, if removed, would cause a worsening of the dimpled appearance.  While liposuction removes fatty tissue, it does not remove cellulite.  If cellulite is your biggest concern, talk to your doctor about other options.

What Does It All Mean?

In short, the benefits of liposuction surgery are vast, not to mention the high success rate of the procedure.  It is not, however, a miracle cure for obesity or an easy answer.  The key to maintaining both health and beauty is a healthy lifestyle, and liposuction is designed to help create a more even body size in conjunction with a healthier lifestyle.

Who Can Get Liposuction?

Typically, good liposuction candidates will be healthy individuals of normal weight. They will have fatty areas on their bodies they cannot transform through diet or exercise and the liposuction will be of value to them. Liposuction is not as effective on older patients, who tend to have looser or less elastic skin. If the skin is not elastic, it is difficult get optimal results from liposuction surgery.

How Does Liposuction Work?

Liposuction is a surgery and requires anesthesia. The type of anesthesia depends on the amount of liposuction being performed and on what area of the body. Your doctor will determine the best anesthesia option.

There are a few different types of liposuction, but in the traditional liposuction surgery, a small incision is made in the marked area determined beforehand. A long, thin tube called a cannula is inserted through the incision. This tube becomes the mouth of the vacuum action, removing the fat. The cannula is moved back and forth over the fat layers, breaking up the fat and then removing it. The cannula tends to be slim so as not to damage the tissue surrounding the fat during the surgery. In power-assisted liposuction, a motorized cannula is used.  Ultra-sound assisted liposuction is available, as well as laser-assisted liposuction. Consult your doctor to find the best liposuction technique available to meet your needs.

What to Expect After Liposuction Surgery

As with any surgery, there is a recovery period after undergoing liposuction. Expect the area that has been suctioned to be sore and swollen for a few days. The area will usually be bandaged, but sometimes drains are inserted into the incisions in order to remove excess fluids. It is important after surgery to move around and within a few days, return to a fairly regular level of activity. Results of the surgery may be noticeable almost immediately, but it may take up to six months to see the results of liposuction surgery. The effects of the surgery will be permanent.

Risks of Liposuction

There are risks to any surgery, so many of the risks associated with liposuction are common risks, such as blot clots, infection, and shock. Other risks are associated with the liposuction surgery such as tearing the tissue, unevenness in the area where the surgery took place, and burns are possible during the laser-assisted liposuction. Consult with your doctor thoroughly before surgery to make sure you understand the risks and the benefits of liposuction surgery.