Since 1975, liposuction has become one of the most common plastic surgery treatments, and for the past three years, it’s been the most popular plastic surgery procedure in the United States. However, its popularity does not stop top liposuction myths from cropping up, making people nervous to consider the procedure let alone benefit from its stunning results.
To help you separate facts from fiction, here is an overview of liposuction myths and the truth to help you make an informed decision about your liposuction in Beverly Hills, CA, procedure.
Debunking Common Myths About Liposuction
Despite being the number one plastic surgery procedure in many countries around the world, liposuction has several misconceptions associated with it. Some of these misunderstandings surround the type of results you can achieve from the treatment while others incorrectly refer to the safety levels of the surgery. That is why you should take the time to deconstruct these myths and learn the objective truth about liposuction.
Speaking to a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Gabrielle B. Davis, is the best way to debunk common liposuction myths. It’s also important to do your own research to become more confident during your consultation. Make sure that your information comes from verified sources, such as reputable plastic surgeons and medical websites.
Understanding the Liposuction Procedure
One of the top liposuction myths is about how the treatment is performed. Contrary to misbeliefs, liposuction does not cause excessive injuries. Instead, when performed by a board-certified and experienced plastic surgeon in an accredited medical facility, the minimally invasive procedure is conducted with immense care, presenting minimal risks to your health while delivering the results you want.
During the procedure, your plastic surgeon performs the following steps:
- Ensure you receive anesthesia to prevent pain and discomfort during the procedure
- Make small, inconspicuous incisions in the treatment area
- Insert a special catheter tube (cannula) through the incisions to reach stubborn pockets of fat
- Physically extract fat from the treatment area using a suction machine
- Remove the tube, contour the remaining fat under the skin, and close the incisions
Throughout the procedure, your plastic surgeon and medical team actively prioritize your safety. This includes but is not limited to understanding your medical history and requesting lab tests after your initial consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for liposuction.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Liposuction?
Another common liposuction myth is that you can only get liposuction if you are significantly overweight. This misconception is far from the truth. In fact, you need to be close to your ideal weight range to qualify as a liposuction candidate.
Ideal candidates for liposuction possess the following attributes.
- Good overall health, living a healthy lifestyle
- Excess fat not affected by diet or exercise
- Stable weight close to their ideal weight
- Have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone
- Are non-smokers or willing to quit for at least 6 weeks before and after the procedure
- Have realistic expectations from the procedure
Liposuction vs. Weight Loss: Understanding the Difference
Many people assume that liposuction is a weight loss procedure. Rather, liposuction is a body contouring treatment to remove small pockets of excess fat only when you cannot lose it via a healthy lifestyle involving diet and exercise.
You should be close to your ideal weight and maintain a stable weight prior to the surgery. This ensures that you avoid the risks of weight gain after the procedure to continue enjoying your liposuction results for years.
Recovery Process: What to Expect Post-Liposuction
Another top liposuction myth surrounds recovery after the procedure. Many people are tricked into believing they need to be bedridden for a month or take several weeks off of work after liposuction.
Actually, you will go home the same day after your liposuction procedure and are encouraged to take short walks as soon as possible. While you may feel post-surgical side effects including soreness, swelling, and bruising, they typically subside within a week. You can also resume most activities including work within a week. You should, however, wait at least 4 to 6 weeks to engage in strenuous activities like exercise.
Potential Risks and Complications of Liposuction
Many people falsely believe liposuction carries a plethora of risks and complications. When liposuction is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, the risks and complications are minimal.
While some risks of liposuction include excessive bleeding and reaction to anesthetics, your plastic surgeon mitigates these by reviewing your medications and medical history before the procedure to ensure your safety. Similarly, complications like infection, skin dimples, and excessive scarring are possible. But your chances of facing these are reduced by practices like antibiotics and modern liposuction techniques.
Realistic Expectations: What Liposuction Can and Cannot Do
Perhaps the most misguided liposuction myth is related to what liposuction can do. First, liposuction cannot make you lose weight. Second, it cannot be a ticket to living an unhealthy lifestyle after your procedure. Last, it is not limited to working on your abdomen or hips.
Instead, liposuction is typically used to remove pockets of diet- and exercise-resistant fat. It also requires you to live a healthy lifestyle after the procedure to maintain results. With that, liposuction can be performed on multiple areas of your body, including your chin, neck, knees, ankles, and feet.
Combining Liposuction with Other Procedures
While considering common liposuction myths, you may wonder about the misconception that liposuction is an exclusive procedure you have to get on its own. Unsurprisingly, this is also not true.
Instead, you can combine liposuction with other body contouring procedures to help achieve your aesthetic goals. Liposuction is an integral part of a mommy makeover—a combination treatment that includes procedures like tummy tuck, labiaplasty, breast augmentation, and breast lift in addition to liposuction.
Long-Term Results: Maintaining Your Liposuction Outcomes
Another myth surrounding liposuction is the longevity of your results after treatment. The misbelief that your fat will soon grow back in the same area is simply not true. Instead, once liposuction physically removes fat cells, they cannot grow back. However, you must maintain a stable weight to ensure your figure retains its new contours as the remaining fat cells in the treated area will be affected by weight fluctuations.
For this purpose, you should commit to a healthy lifestyle, including a nutritious diet and regular exercise to help retain your liposuction results for years and preserve your renewed figure.
Consult with Dr. Gabrielle B. Davis for Liposuction in Beverly Hills, CA
As a specialist in body contouring procedures, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gabrielle B. Davis strives to deliver dramatic transformations with liposuction in Beverly Hills, CA. If you are worried about stubborn pockets of fat and want to tone your figure, Dr. Davis can help you achieve your goals with a personalized treatment plan. To learn how liposuction can help you achieve your aesthetic goals, contact us or call (310) 614-5898 to schedule your consultation today.