Choosing Liposuction: Key Factors to Consider Before Your Decision

Everyone wants to look and feel their very best. If you have stubborn areas of fat that refuse to respond to diet and exercise, liposuction could be one way to experience targeted fat reduction and contour your body to get the aesthetic results you desire. Find out more about this popular procedure to see if liposuction is right for you.

Introduction to Liposuction

What is liposuction? Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical technique that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks. These areas, which are often resistant to diet and exercise, can be sculpted by liposuction.

Target Areas for Liposuction

Targeted liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, can be used to address stubborn fat deposits in various parts of the body, including:

• Abdomen and waist
• Back
• Calves and ankles
• Chest area
• Facial regions, including the cheeks, chin, and neck
• Hips and buttocks
• Inner knees
• Thighs
• Upper arms

Liposuction can be performed as a standalone procedure or in conjunction with other surgeries, such as facelifts, breast reductions, or tummy tucks. 

The Evolution of Liposuction Techniques

Liposuction's origins date back to the 1920s. French surgeon Charles Dujarier pioneered the concept of fat removal for body contouring. The procedure gained momentum in 1982 with the introduction of the "Illouz Method" by Dr. Yves-Gerard Illouz, which utilized a suction-assisted technique for fat extraction. Throughout the 1980s, American surgeons refined the method, introducing sedation techniques that eliminated the need for general anesthesia. Liposuction techniques advanced even further in the 1990s with the adoption of ultrasound technology to liquefy fat for easier, more effective removal. These advancements have made liposuction less painful and reduced the risk of complications. Today's procedures are safer, less invasive, and can deliver more precise results, helping individuals achieve their desired body aesthetics with minimal discomfort.

Understanding Your Candidacy for Liposuction

If you have areas of stubborn body fat that are not responding to diet and exercise, you may wonder if you are a good candidate for liposuction. This procedure is most effective for people within 30% of their ideal body weight who want to meet their personal aesthetic goals. 

Criteria for liposuction include:

• Overall health: being free from medical issues or conditions that could complicate surgery
• Non-smokers or can quit smoking: smoking can interfere with your healing process post-surgery
• Good muscle tone and firm, elastic skin: will help your skin smoothly conform to the new contours

One of the most important criteria for liposuction is your mindset and expectations. Ideal liposuction candidates do not try to live up to someone else’s expectations or ideals of body image, have realistic goals to maintain liposuction results, and are optimistic about outcomes. 

It is important to schedule a consultation to discuss your potential candidacy for liposuction. A qualified plastic surgeon can assess your goals, medical history, and overall health to help you understand if liposuction surgery is right for you. 

Liposuction Goals and Expectations

You can get the most out of a liposuction procedure by defining clear and realistic goals. The primary objective of liposuction is to remove fat from specific, stubborn areas in order to achieve a more defined and contoured aesthetic. 

Understanding what lipo can and cannot do will help you create goals and expectations. Liposuction is targeted fat reduction, not overall weight loss. The procedure removes fat deposits and contours specific areas of the body. It will not provide significant weight loss and is not an obesity treatment. Liposuction also will not help tighten lax skin. 

What liposuction can do is have an impact on your body shape. Liposuction results include enhanced body contour and fat reduction in specific areas, which can enhance your shape. 

Swelling and fluid retention are very common after liposuction surgery. It can take several months for the swelling to subside and for your liposuction results to be fully evident. 

You can maintain your liposuction results after surgery by maintaining a stable weight and general fitness level. Maintaining your weight and fitness can make your lipo results long-lasting.

Evaluating the Physical Considerations

While your mindset, goals, and expectations play a critical role in liposuction success, physical considerations are just as vital. 

If you have had previous liposuction surgery in the same area, scar tissue can form, and the area can become lumpy rather than smooth. If you wish to have liposuction over any area where you have had a previous surgery, talk to an experienced surgeon to see if you can get the desired liposuction results.

Non-surgical pre-existing medical conditions may also affect the procedure. Certain conditions, such as heart problems or blood vessel disorders, can increase the risk of complications, such as blood loss during the surgery.

The Recovery Process and Downtime

The typical recovery timeline after a liposuction surgery can take up to six weeks or longer. Here is what to expect in the weeks after surgery:

• Week 1: Significantly limit your activity; expect swelling, pain, and bruising
• Week 2-3: While you may return to work and start to feel better, activities should remain limited
• Week 4-5: Bruising and swelling should start to subside
• Week 6: Expect to see continued improvements in swelling as you begin to increase activity, which may include gentle exercise

Choosing the Right Surgeon and Facility

Liposuction can be a safe and effective way to remove stubborn fat and contour your body. Like any surgical procedure, liposuction has the potential for risks and complications, so choosing the right surgeon and facility for your procedure is critical. 

Board-certified surgeons have higher training, skills, and expertise in their fields. An experienced board-certified surgeon can help you properly assess if you are an ideal candidate and get the best results from your procedure. 

Start searching for the best liposuction surgeon by looking at liposuction before-and-after photos and compiling a list of questions to ask during a consultation. These questions should include board-certification questions such as, “Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?” Your list should also include questions about how many procedures they have performed, how long they have been performing lipo procedures, and what plan they have in place for potential risks or complications. 

Contact the experts at The Plastic Surgery Center in New Jersey to find out if liposuction is right for you.