If you are considering liposuction, it is important to fully understand the procedure and know when it may or may not be necessary. We will be discussing a few factors to consider to help you determine whether you are a good candidate for liposuction and whether now is the best time to have your procedure.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a popular cosmetic procedure that helps patients reshape their bodies and remove stubborn fat deposits in the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, arms, chest, back, and neck. It can be performed alone if pockets of excess fat are your only concern but it is also commonly performed with other plastic surgery procedures like a tummy tuck, gynecomastia surgery, mommy makeover, and more!

Liposuction Procedure and Techniques

The most popular liposuction techniques include traditional liposuction and tumescent liposuction. Traditional liposuction involves using a small hollow tube (cannula) inserted through small incisions in the skin. The cannula then breaks up fat deposits and suction them out of the body. Tumescent liposuction uses a solution injected into the treatment area to limit bleeding and break down fat cells before removal.

There are several other options available and Dr. Sweat can discuss this in more detail at your consultation. It’s important to understand which type of procedure best suits your needs before deciding if it is time for you to have a liposuction procedure done.

When Should You Consider Liposuction?

Understanding when it is the right time for a liposuction procedure will help ensure that you get optimal results and achieve your cosmetic goals. These are some of the most important factors to consider:

1. You Tried Dieting and Exercise

It is not uncommon for stubborn fat to be left behind after dieting and exercise. If you’ve been unable to achieve the desired results through diet and exercise alone, then liposuction may be the best option.

2. You Have Good Skin Elasticity

Your skin must have some elasticity to achieve optimal results. If you have loose or sagging skin, then liposuction alone will not provide satisfactory results. Other procedures, such as a tummy tuck, arm lift, or other body contouring procedures, may also be necessary to tighten the skin and prevent additional skin sagging once the unwanted fat is removed.

3. You Are in Generally Good Health

Liposuction is a surgical procedure requiring patients to be generally healthy and free from any serious medical conditions that could put them at risk during surgery. Good health also means you are a non-smoker. Smoking can interfere with healing after surgery and lead to complications such as infection and scarring, so you must quit smoking before liposuction.

4. You Are Realistic About the Results

Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure; it is designed to target specific areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. Having realistic expectations about what can be achieved with liposuction is important, so you should discuss this thoroughly with your surgeon before proceeding.

5. You Have Time to Recover

Make sure that you plan around your work schedule so that you can give yourself 6 weeks of rest after surgery. Similarly, it’s helpful to have a support system of people who can help you with daily chores, meal prepping, and errands during the first few days.

Schedule a Consultation

At J. Sweat Plastic Surgery, we understand that it can be difficult to make when considering liposuction. That’s why our team of professionals is here to answer any questions and help provide personalized results that best fit your lifestyle and needs. If you’re ready to take the next step towards achieving the body of your dreams, set up a consultation with board-certified surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Sweat today!