At some point, most people deal with stubborn fat in specific areas of their bodies. However, people respond to this problem differently. Some accept and learn to live with it, while others go to great lengths to eliminate stubborn fat. Many choose to undergo liposuction to remove excess fat from specific body areas.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat from specific body areas with the help of a hollow stainless-steel tube known as a cannula. A plastic surgeon inserts the cannula through small skin incisions and uses it to suction out excess fat. This procedure can help contour and reshape specific body areas such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and neck.

Plastic surgeons can perform this procedure using various techniques. These include traditional liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction, tumescent liposuction, and ultrasonic liposuction. The specific method used will depend on your plastic surgeon's preference and the patient's particular needs.

Liposuction is often an outpatient procedure. So, most patients can return home the same day. Depending on the size of the treatment area, it can take anywhere from one to four hours. You may experience swelling, discomfort, and bruising following the procedure. You can manage these side effects with pain medication and cold compresses.

How Much Fat Can It Remove?

The amount of fat that this procedure can remove depends on several factors. These include the following:

• Size of the treatment area.

• Amount of fat present.

• Patient's overall health.

Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. So, it is not ideal for people who are significantly overweight. Instead, it can help contour and reshape specific body areas by removing excess fat deposits.

Liposuction is FDA-approved to remove up to 11 pounds of fat, or five liters. Technically, you can lose up to 11 pounds of fat after surgery. However, this is not a requirement for everyone who chooses this procedure. Also, lipo may not be appropriate for everyone.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, liposuction should only remove up to 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) of fat in a single procedure. Drawing more than this fat at once is risky and may lead to complications.

What Lipo Cannot Do

It Cannot Tighten Loose Skin

Although liposuction removes excess fat, it does not tighten sagging skin. If you have excess skin after losing weight or pregnancy, you may require a procedure such as a tummy tuck or a thigh lift to eliminate excess skin and tighten underlying tissue.

It Cannot Remove Cellulite

Cellulite causes the skin to look dimpled. Liposuction is ineffective against it since it is not a structural issue. Instead, it results from changes in fat cells and connective tissue beneath the skin.

It Cannot Remove Stretch Marks

Stretch marks develop when the skin stretches beyond its normal capacity. Lipo cannot remove them since they are scars on the skin rather than fat deposits.

It is important to note that liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Don’t consider it a replacement for self-care. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine is best for achieving optimal physical health and well-being.
 

For more on liposuction, call Weston Center for Plastic Surgery at 954-507-4540 to discuss liposuction questions or schedule an appointment.