Even after successful weight loss, some stubborn fat deposits can remain. These areas may not respond to diet or exercise and can have a negative impact on your self-esteem. Fat removal procedures may be able to help improve the way your body looks. Liposuction is one way to remove excess fat and can be combined with other cosmetic procedures for more dramatic results.
More information about liposuction and how it works:
The Fat Removal Process
Tumescent liposuction is the most popular form of this procedure and does not usually require general anesthesia. Your doctor will inject a solution that contains saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine into the treatment area. The lidocaine numbs the area while the epinephrine constricts capillaries in the fat, causing it to become swollen and firm which makes it easier to remove. A tube called a cannula is then inserted through a small incision and your plastic surgeon will use this to suction out the fat.
Who Can Benefit from Liposuction?
In order for liposuction to produce the best results, you should be at or very close to your ideal weight. The ideal candidate is in good health overall, does not smoke, and has good skin elasticity and muscle tone. If you are not sure whether or not this procedure is right for you, we can discuss your specific situation during a consultation.
Liposuction Results
In the case of any cosmetic procedure, patients are usually most satisfied when they have realistic expectations for their results. During your consultation, we will go over your specific desires and answer any questions you may have in more detail. In general, liposuction is best for contouring specific areas of the body and removing fat that is not responding to traditional weight loss methods. It is not a substitute for weight loss and usually removes fewer than 10 pounds of fat.
Combining Fat Removal and Other Treatments
Depending on your goals, a combination of liposuction and one or more other surgical procedures may produce your ideal results. For example, if you have lost a significant amount of weight, you may have loose skin in addition to stubborn fat deposits. Since liposuction does not remove any excess skin, other body contouring treatments may be necessary.
One example is abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck. This surgery tightens your abdominal muscles to flatten your stomach. One study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that patients who combined liposuction with a tummy tuck had high satisfaction rates. 99% of those studied said they would recommend the procedures to others. Another option is a body lift. This is especially helpful if you have heavy, sagging skin. If you are considering liposuction for your legs or buttocks, a thigh lift may also be beneficial.
To get a better idea of how various cosmetic surgeries may improve your appearance, you can browse our before and after galleries for abdominoplasty, liposuction, and body lift surgery.
Fat Removal by Hess & Sandeen
Dr. Hess and Dr. Sandeen are board-certified plastic surgeons with extensive experience in body contouring procedures. They can help you look your best and feel more confident.
