If you want to enhance your body contour or remove excess fat, consider liposuction cosmetic surgery, also known as “body contouring.”

“Both men and women frequently undergo this procedure. However, while men often opt for body contouring to remove excess fat from their waist, women prefer the procedure on their thighs and hips. Liposuction can also remove excess fat from other parts of your body,” says plastic surgeon Matthew H.  Steele, MD.

This article explains why people choose liposuction, how the procedure works, and the potential implications.

The Desire for Liposuction

People primarily do body contouring to enhance their physical appearance. Patients undergo this procedure to remove stubborn or excess fat from some parts of their bodies, achieving a more appealing body shape and a charming appearance.

Most patients typically undergo this procedure in conjunction with other cosmetic surgeries, such as a tummy tuck. Some patients also use body contouring to reduce breast size. 

In some rare cases, liposuction serves medical purposes. For instance, people use this procedure to treat tumors or benign fatty growths, a condition that causes the breasts of men to enlarge. It is also used to treat lipodystrophy, a condition that causes uneven fat distribution. 

Understanding the Liposuction Procedure

When liposuction is performed, fat is withdrawn from “problematic” areas of your body. While there are different approaches to performing this procedure, many prefer the “tumescent liposuction.” This approach involves injecting a tumescent fluid into the treated area to reduce bleeding, enhance fat suction, and minimize pain.

The surgeon suctions fat by inserting a cannula (a thin tube) under the patient’s skin before connecting it to a vacuum machine. 

Ultrasound-aided body contouring is another popular technique. This technique uses ultrasonic energy to loosen fat cells and facilitate their removal. Cosmetic surgeons often use this technique to suction fat from the thighs, hips, waist, buttocks, and other areas of the body. 

Some liposuction surgeons have adopted laser technology to enhance the performance of this procedure. These surgeons use laser light to loosen up fat and then evacuate it via the cannula. 

The Outcomes of Liposuction

Liposuction has a lasting impact on the areas where it is performed. Fat can no longer accumulate in the treated area(s). However, you can develop fatty deposits in other parts of your body. 

It is, therefore, crucial to engage in regular exercise and maintain a healthy diet to avoid undergoing the procedure again within a year or two. You must be conscious about maintaining a healthy body weight. 

Your body contour will improve almost immediately. However, it will take several weeks or months to see the effect of liposuction, depending on the complexity of the process. 

The Potential Implications of Liposuction

Every surgery carries inherent risks. However, complications during liposuction are rare. This does not mean you should not be aware of the possible risks inherent in the procedure. 

The possible but unlikely complications you can suffer include infection, damage to internal organs, severe bleeding, fluid build-up in the lungs, and permanent skin discoloration. 

You may also experience some temporary side effects, which disappear within a few days or weeks. For instance, you may experience some pain, bruising, and swelling immediately after the procedure. The skin may become baggy or slightly loose.

Determining if Liposuction is right for You 

You may consider liposuction if you have fatty deposits in specific areas of your body, such as your waist, thighs, buttocks, and arms, and you cannot achieve the desired changes through regular exercise and dietary adjustments. You can achieve the desired body shape within a short period with liposuction. 

However, it is essential to add that liposuction is not a weight loss treatment. You should also not view it as a replacement for regular physical activity and a balanced diet. 

You will achieve the best result with this procedure if your skin is firm and elastic. Unfortunately, skin elasticity tends to diminish with age. 

Most importantly, you should be healthy and be close to your ideal body weight before considering this procedure. Remember that body contouring is not a means of losing weight. 

Choosing a Liposuction Surgeon

It is advisable to choose a board-certified surgeon for your procedure. You can search for one in your local area or browse online to choose from options available outside your state or country. Before deciding on a surgeon, read testimonials about them online to see what past patients have to say about their experience.

You should schedule a consultation appointment with your preferred surgeon before proceeding. Discuss their pricing to know if it is within your budget. 

Do not hesitate to ask relevant questions. Let them enlighten you on the possible risks and how they will handle them. You should also discuss their qualifications, experience level, and the type of procedure they recommend for you. 

You should also ask them how they will handle any post-operation complications. What will they do if the outcome falls short of your expectations? They must also describe their patient satisfaction levels. 

A well-trained cosmetic surgeon will not run away from these questions. Instead, it will spur an enthusiasm in them to discuss the procedure with you. They will open up about everything their work entails and how you will benefit from the process. 

They will ask about your expectations to know if they are realistic or not. They will also give you time to think through and make up your mind about the process. They will not impose anything on you, no pressure or manipulative tactics to convince you about the procedure against your wish.

Final Remarks

You must discuss every aspect of your procedure with your surgeon before it commences. They must clearly outline what they will do if anything goes wrong. It is crucial to be on the same page with the surgeon to get the desired result. 

You must particularly show interest in their post-operation care because it shows the value they place on you. If the clinic seems uninterested in you after the procedure, you may reconsider your stance. An ideal healthcare facility will stay with you until you recover from any potential side effects and feel confident about your outcome.