10 limitations of liposuction
Setting realistic expectations for patients is an issue plastic surgeons deal with every day. Nobody enjoys disappointing people who may not fully understand the limitations of plastic surgery or liposuction. However, it is necessary to be direct and honest about possible outcomes and what is realistic.
Liposuction has the most misconception of the five most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures. Below is a list of things liposuction will not do for you.
1. Liposuction won’t tighten skin
The degree of skin laxity or looseness you have before surgery will remain the same after surgery. Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and unlucky genetics can contribute to poor skin elasticity.
Sometimes, due to the effect of deflation by removing fat, skin sagging may appear worse than where you started. This is similar to when an inflated balloon is suddenly deflated. The balloon will never take on its originally tight shape.
2. It won’t remove stretch marks
Stretch marks are scars. The scars from stretch marks occur in the dermis, the layer under the epidermis which is the topmost skin layer. Once they occur, they may fade but will never fully disappear.
3. It won’t eradicate cellulite
Cellulite is caused by fibres pulling down on the skin and fat pushing against the skin. Liposuction can help reduce the amount of fat pushing out against the skin, but it does not affect the fibres pulling on the skin and causing dimpling. Liposuction will possibly make it worse in patients with loose skin.
4. It won’t reduce weight
Ideally, people should be of a reasonable weight for their height when undergoing the procedure. The small areas of fat that these people want to be treated with liposuction will not change their weight as fat is not dense and does not weigh much.
5. It doesn’t replace Bariatric Surgery
Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure, not a weight loss procedure. For those who are overweight, liposuction may help if it is understood that it is not for weight loss. People who are very overweight should consider that there is a limit on how much fat can be removed during one surgery. Even if a good amount of fat is removed, it may not make such a big difference when compared to a person’s overall body size, so it may not be worth it.
If fat is removed via liposuction, without a change in nutrition and exercise habits, the effects of liposuction can be overcome.
6. It won’t end bad eating habits
It is possible to out-eat your liposuction result. The number of fat cells in an area is reduced but not eliminated after liposuction. The remaining fat cells can expand with weight gain or shrink with weight loss. Including a diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins and minimizes fats and sugar will help maintain your results. Liposuction does not give you a license to eat whatever you want. You’ll be hugely disappointed if this is your goal.
7. Liposuction won’t substitute for a workout
After the procedure, you should remain active for both your inner and outer health. Increased activity will help you maintain your results.
8. It doesn’t remove visceral fat
Liposuction occurs above the muscle and below the skin. An abdomen that is protuberant or rotund due to the fat that is under the muscle and around the internal organs cannot be reduced with liposuction. This type of fat is called intraabdominal fat or visceral fat. This fat pushes out on the muscles that form the abdominal wall. Even if fat is removed from above the muscle, it will just be a smaller version of the rounded belly. To remove fat on the inside of the belly, proper nutrition and exercise are the only remedies.
9. Liposuction can’t turn you into a model
Unless your physique was close to that of a swimsuit model before plastic surgery and you had just a little fat pocket or two that needed reducing, you’re not going to look like a swimsuit model after liposuction. Liposuction will simply enhance your existing physique. As we said, it is a body contouring procedure.
10. It won’t repair your life
Liposuction is simply a procedure to reduce unwanted fat in certain areas. While it may help to help you feel better about yourself and improve your self-esteem, it will not guarantee a job promotion, help you catch a new romantic partner or save a relationship.
Are you looking for a competent board-certified plastic surgeon? Speak with a health concierge at AwayDoc today.
