According to the latest statistics on plastic surgery procedures, liposuction is now the number one most commonly performed aesthetic surgery. It is also the gold standard for fat removal for body contouring purposes. Despite the advent of several non-invasive methods aimed at decreasing fat in certain areas, liposuction retains some distinct advantages over nonsurgical treatments:
Liposuction Produces Permanent Results
For most patients, only one liposuction procedure will be necessary in order to achieve the results they are seeking. Once fat cells are suctioned away during surgery, they are permanently removed as the body does not create new fat cells. Those fat cells that remain in the areas treated are able to store more fat if the patient gains weight after surgery, but it is not possible for fat to move from one area of the body to another.
Which areas are most frequently treated with liposuction?:
- Abdomen and flanks
- Love handles in men
- Outer thighs (saddle bags) and inner thighs
Liposuction Offers Well-Controlled Results
When patients undergo liposuction, the fat is removed at the time of the procedure, and Dr. Hutchinson evaluates in real time how much fat should be taken out. This decision will depend on factors such as the amount of fat in the area treated, the quality of the overlying skin, and overall body shape. Unlike with other treatments that rely on unpredictable amounts of fat dissolution after a treatment session, liposuction provides a quantifiable volume of fat reduction. Results improve over time as swelling subsides and the overlying skin contracts. Liposuction is not a method of weight loss but of improving body contour.
Best Liposuction Patients
Proper patient selection is paramount in ensuring optimal results from liposuction. Patients who will have the best results from liposuction:
- Are in good overall physical shape, observe a good diet and regular exercise routine
- Have localized fat in specific areas that do not respond to diet and exercise
- Have good quality skin which can shrink and redrape to recontour their body following fat removal
In some patients, overall results from liposuction are enhanced with other aesthetic procedures, such as tummy tuck, breast reduction, and upper arm lift.
