How does liposuction work

However, there will still be some remaining fat cells that can grow in size and expand the area if one's calorie intact is excessive. The best way to prevent this is to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen. As mentioned earlier, liposuction is not a weight loss method, and maintaining ideal postsurgical results should include a general commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Liposuction or any other body contouring method, for that matter is targeted to streamline and contour localized areas — ideally, in someone who is within a healthy weight range.

While relatively safe and frequently performed on an outpatient basis, every surgical procedure entails a recovery period, and liposuction is no exception.

The most common after-effects include swelling, bruising, and soreness at and around the treatment areas. While the healing process varies from patient to patient, most should plan to take at least a week off work to rest and recover. It may be four to six weeks before a patient can resume strenuous activity or exercise. Men frequently request liposuction — in fact, it was one of the top five most popular cosmetic surgeries American men received this past year, according to ASPS statistics.

Common areas for treatment include the abdomen, love handles and chest. Liposuction targets only subcutaneous fat — the kind that is located below the skin and above the muscle. An abdomen that protrudes due to fat under the muscle and around the internal organs known as visceral or intra-abdominal fat will not be improved with liposuction. Appropriate exercise and diet are the only effective methods to combat visceral fat. For more info on liposuction, see our procedure page.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Get started today! Create an Account. Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon and be confident you are in the care of a highly trained surgeon you can trust. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Community Home ask a surgeon patient community. Ask a Surgeon. Liposuction is a surgical fat removal procedure that first became popular in the s. During the procedure, a board certified cosmetic surgeon carefully and precisely removes excess fat through a small, hollow tube called a cannula.

Suction is applied as the surgeon moves the cannula through the fat deposit, removing excess fat cells and sculpting a slimmer body contour.

Liposuction is particularly effective at removing fat in the legs, abdomen, back, arms, face, and neck. It provides more dramatic results than other noninvasive fat reduction procedures, however, it has a longer recovery period up to six weeks and typically costs more than its nonsurgical counterparts.

Nonsurgical fat reduction treatments use different modalities to target and eliminate unwanted fat cells through a topical, rather than surgical, procedure. Popular nonsurgical body contouring treatments include:. CoolSculpting by Allergan is a good match for people who are close to their target weight, but want to reduce small, localized trouble spots on the hips, abdomen, or thighs.

This treatment uses a specialized cryolipolysis device to cool unwanted fat cells to the point of death without affecting surrounding tissues.

Once the fat cells die, they are flushed from the body during the days and. Treatment typically lasts around an hour, and most patients require one to two treatments to see noticeable results. BodyTite by inMode is a minimally invasive procedure that tightens skin and reduces unwanted fat deposits by using radiofrequency energy.

BodyTite is considered minimally invasive because a small incision must be made in order for your surgeon to insert the internal applicator probe; however, it is a less invasive.

BodyTite is a great option for those who have small to moderate amounts of excess fat and loose skin and want to avoid the extensive downtime that comes with surgery. Most patients report seeing results in just a few days, with final results beginning to appear after 2 to 3 weeks. Because BodyTite promotes collagen production in the skin, patients can expect to see continued skin tightening in the months following their procedure.

A very small tube is inserted into the treatment area to remove any excess liquid that may accumulate during the procedure. SmartLipo is also ideal for contouring areas of the body that hold on to stubborn fat, such as the abs, back, flanks, thighs, buttocks, and upper arms.

Since SmartLipo is less invasive than liposuction, there is less damage to surrounding tissues at the treatment sites.

The procedure is usually carried out under general anesthetic. On occasion, liposuction on the lower limbs might be performed with an epidural, so you would be awake but feel nothing. The areas to be treated will be marked to allow the surgeon to define the required aims of the treatment. The actual surgery involves the following:. Depending on the extent of the surgery, an overnight stay might be necessary. Procedures take anything between one to three hours. Liposuction can be performed on various areas of the body, including:.

As long as you continue to maintain a healthy weight, the positive results of liposuction are usually permanent. A dedicated professional, this skilled clinician carries out bespoke liposuction techniques that allow his clients to achieve the enhanced body shape they desire. ABout us. How Does Liposuction Work?