Many people think of liposuction as a way to lose weight. Although this procedure can make people look dramatically slimmer by removing fat from the body, it is actually intended for reshaping and for removing fat that cannot be taken off with diet and exercise.
Liposuction is more common than most people realize, the most common cosmetic procedure performed in the Western world. While many people can benefit from this and other types of body sculpting, reputable plastic surgeons will often not perform it on men and women who have not yet achieved a stable weight. However, this can be disappointing to people who want the procedures but are not yet good candidates. Why is weight stability so important to liposuction?
How Liposuction Works
Liposuction is a safe and effective plastic surgery procedure that removes fat cells. It is used for contouring and shaping the body, removing problem areas where fat and cellulite remain despite more natural attempts to get rid of them. Liposuction is performed by making very small incisions into problem areas and suctioning out fat to leave a smooth and trim finished look.
Although liposuction can be performed on any part of the body, it is most commonly done on the stomach, hips, and thighs. Many people are surprised by the amount of fat that is removed in a single procedure, which can be dramatic. Because liposuction can make a dramatic difference in a person’s appearance, some mistakenly think that it is used for weight loss.
What Happens If You Gain Weight After Liposuction?
Liposuction is a permanent procedure. Once fat cells are removed, they do not grow back. However, people can still gain weight. We all have small weight fluctuations, but gaining a great deal of weight after liposuction can lead to unsightly results.
When you gain weight after liposuction, several things can happen. First, you may gain weight disproportionately in areas that have not had liposuction. This can leave people looking unbalanced. Second, the remaining fat cells in the liposuctioned area will expand, but they may not do so in a symmetrical way. This can create a lumpy appearance that is extremely unattractive.
Last, gaining weight after liposuction completely reverses the results. Studies have found that dramatic weight gain after liposuction often leads to weight accumulation and less-contoured body shape.
Body Contouring, Shaping, and More
If liposuction is not meant to be used for weight loss, why do so many people choose it? In most cases, this procedure is done to dramatically change the shape of a person’s body and to smooth over any problem areas.
Although liposuction is not meant to be used as a replacement for weight loss, it can be used to augment weight loss. Many people who are overweight develop deposits of fat that remain even after they lose weight. Other people are born with disproportionate amounts of fat in different areas of the body.
Having an unbalanced shape can lower self-esteem and keep people from getting the look that they desire. This can be particularly discouraging for people who have worked hard in diet and exercise to lose weight.
Liposuction works best when combined with a healthy lifestyle. It can be used as motivation to continue with good health habits. When people are proud of their appearance, they are more likely to continue making healthy choices.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
An ideal candidate for liposuction is a patient who has realistic expectations and has characteristics that will contribute to a good result. Several factors contribute to this.
Liposuction expert Dr. Stephan Baker says this fat-removal procedure will work best for people who are at or near their ideal weight and living a healthy lifestyle. People interested in lipo should have the following characteristics:
* Problem areas with fat deposits or disproportionate amounts of fat cells
* Overall good health
* Normal skin elasticity
* Not a tobacco user, or at least willing to quit before surgery as smoking is one of the top risk factors for adverse events
* No active infections
* Not pregnant or planning to become so
If you meet these criteria, liposuction will likely make a positive impact on your appearance and give you the results that you desire. The majority of people who get this procedure are happy with their results even years later.