Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, and therefore will not help you lose weight. Instead, it is a body-contouring procedure which is an extremely useful tool to create a smoother, relatively slimmer contour, but it does not help in significant weight loss.
Liposuction only targets the external, or outer layer of fat under the skin. The internal, or visceral fat, can only be reduced through diet modification and exercise (though there are weight loss surgeries to help with this). Additionally, there are safety limits to how much fat can be removed during liposuction, and most people will notice only 3-5 pounds of change in weight. It is important to keep in mind that the number of fat cells in the area of liposuction will be reduced, but not eliminated. The remaining fat cells can still grow and shrink depending on lifestyle and diet habits. Therefore, it is important to maintain healthy eating habits and activity level to maintain liposuction results.
Other Limitations of Liposuction
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are full-thickness scars. They most commonly occur with rapid weight gain or loss. Stretch marks may fade with time, but they are permanent and will not be addressed with liposuction.
Cellulite
The appearance of cellulite is caused by the combination of fibers pulling down on the skin and fat pushing out on the skin. Liposuction may help reduce the amount of fat under the skin but will not affect the fibers pulling down on the skin, which causes the dimpling appearance. Thus, liposuction will not eliminate cellulite and may even make it appear worse in those who already have loose skin.
Loose skin
Weight fluctuations, pregnancy, age, and unlucky genetics can contribute to skin looseness, sagging, or hanging. The skin you start with is the skin you end with. The degree of laxity or looseness you had before surgery will remain the same after surgery. If your skin still has good elasticity, your skin will be able to tighten up after liposuction similar to a fresh rubber band that “bounces back.” Unfortunately, if your skin is already showing signs of poor elasticity, liposuction can actually exacerbate the sagging, like a balloon that’s been inflated for a while and is suddenly deflated.
What Liposuction Can Do
This is a procedure used to reduce unwanted fat in limited areas, and can help make you feel better about yourself and improve your self-confidence. Liposuction utilizes a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body which can include hips, abdomen, thighs, arms, or buttocks.
It’s also used to shape and contour these areas. Liposuction can be used as a part of other body procedures such as a body lift, posterior lift, etc. For example, if you are having a thigh lift, incisions are made which will tighten the skin, but liposuction can also be used to remove some of the fat in conjunction with tightening the area.
If you have a stable body weight, liposuction is used to suction stubborn areas of fat in specific areas where dieting and exercise is not going to make a difference. These areas can include:
- Abdomen
- Thighs
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Upper arms
- Chest
- Back
Ideally, after having the liposuction procedure, your skin should “mold” itself to the new shape of the areas that have been treated if your skin still has plenty of elasticity. However, if your skin has thinned or lost its shape, it’s possible that skin will appear to be loose in the affected areas. In cases like these, additional procedures can be performed in conjunction with the liposuction which will tighten the skin up so it better conforms to the new shape. When you have your free consultation with Dr. Won, she can advise you of which procedures would work best for you to achieve the results you desire.
After your procedure, you can expect some swelling and bruising. Temporary drainage tubes may be placed in the treated areas to promote fluid drainage, and you will need to wear compression garments during your healing process. It will also take a few weeks for the remaining fat to settle into its new position. You can usually return to work after a few days to a few weeks, depending on the extent of your procedure. Dr. Won will go over what to expect during your specific recovery.
Dr. Won, Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon
During your free consultation with Dr. Won, she will go over with you what will be required to get the desired results that you are looking for and advise you what to expect during the recovery process.
Dr. Won is passionate about creating personalized care for each of her patients. She strives to understand your vision and goals for your body, and offers her services and guidance to achieve exactly what you are looking for. She believes that self-confidence is one of the key foundations for living your best life and offers high-quality care, both in surgery and during the recovery process to achieve the best results possible.
It’s natural to be a little anxious before undergoing any type of procedure, however Dr. Won can answer all of your questions and give you an idea of what to expect in order to put your mind at ease. You will be able to realize immediate results after your surgery and your confidence will certainly be boosted, so we hope you are as excited as we are to see the new and improved you!
Dr. Won is an experienced, Board-Certified surgeon. She is also a Fellowship trained cosmetic surgeon through the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, having completed hundreds of procedures. Her experience and passion for what she does ensures that you can feel confident by choosing her for your cosmetic surgery needs.
Are you a Candidate for Cosmetic Surgery?
Not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic surgery. If you are in the process of losing weight, it is best to wait until you have reached your goal weight before undergoing any kind of cosmetic procedure. Additionally, if you are still planning on having children, it is best to wait until you have had your child and recovered from the pregnancy. The reason for this is because weight fluctuations can affect the long-lasting benefits that are gained from having cosmetic surgery. Additionally, if you are currently a smoker, you will need to stop completely prior to undergoing any type of procedures since smoking can affect both the healing process and the results gained from a procedure. Also, it is important that you have a positive attitude and a realistic outlook about what surgery can do for you. An unhealthy lifestyle and poor overall health and fitness can wreak havoc on your appearance.
Dr. Won is Now Offering Free “Virtual” Consultations
The health and safety of our patients is of utmost importance. Governor Inslee has lifted the ban on elective procedures, so Dr. Won is able to perform those again. Please be assured that all COVID-19 protocols are being followed.
To limit your exposure and keep you safe, Dr. Won is offering her Free, No-obligation Consultation via Telemedicine! You will still be able to see her, face to face, through your computer or tablet, just like if she were standing right in front of you.
During your Free Consultation, Dr. Won will provide you with all of the information that you need about your options, what procedures would be best for you, and talk with you about the goals you want to accomplish with your procedure. She can also advise you of what to expect from recovery, and will give you a price quote for your surgery at the time of the consultation.
We also have an insurance coordinator for those wishing to look into insurance coverage for procedures that qualify.
Your appointment will occur real time, with no health risk whatsoever to you!
We look forward to meeting you and helping you accomplish your health and appearance goals!
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