Are you considering slimming down an area or areas of your body with Liposuction? If so, you’ve probably hit the internet already and are well into researching the procedure. But, just like everything on the web, some information can be misleading and even scary. On the flip side, information can also be ‘glossed over,’ only highlighting a procedure’s good side with miraculous after photos. It’s important to have realistic expectations of what plastic surgery can achieve and what the experience and recovery will be like. Here are some of the key things about Liposuction surgery that you may not find online, but ones your plastic surgeon will certainly discuss at your consultation.
“I always advise patients that if they are going to start researching a procedure online to visit the websites of actual plastic surgery clinics, as opposed to celebrity gossip and fashion sites,” says Dr. Robert Wilke, a board-certified plastic surgeon at Edina Plastic Surgery. “If you’re sourcing information about Liposuction from your Instagram feed or ‘Dr. Internet’, accept that you’ll encounter methods that many surgeons would deem unsafe, and after images that may be highly edited or photoshopped. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is your best bet to get REAL information about Liposuction and how it may improve the shape and appearance of your body. Plus, we don’t sugarcoat information. We’ll inform you of all the pros and cons and everything in between.”
If you’re looking for an easy weight loss solution – Liposuction is NOT it.
“Liposuction is not a get slim quick solution,” explains Dr. Wilke. “In fact, your surgeon will want you relatively close to your ideal weight before surgery so they can follow the natural contours of your body during the procedure and enhance your shape. The ideal candidate for Liposuction is actually someone who already leads a healthy lifestyle, exercises, and eats well but has stubborn pockets of fat they would like removed. Only so much fat can safely be removed during one Liposuction surgery, and gaining a significant amount of weight after Liposuction can also be detrimental to your results.”
Liposuction will NOT improve the appearance of loose, sagging skin.
Liposuction is not an all-in-one body contouring solution. If a patient’s primary concern is loose, sagging skin, then a procedure like Tummy Tuck surgery, Arm Lift, or Thigh Lift may be a better option to remove excess skin. Liposuction is often performed in conjunction with these lifting procedures to remove underlying fat, sagging skin and recontour the body during one operation. Your surgeon will help you identify which procedure(s) you are the best candidate for to achieve your desired results.
“The best Liposuction results happen when the skin in the treatment area is firm, smooth, and elastic,” advises Dr. Wilke. “If it is performed on an area with loose, sagging skin, Liposuction can actually make that area look worse because the underlying support matrix of fat has been removed, making it appear even looser.”
Liposuction is NOT the answer to getting rid of cellulite.
Many patients assume that Liposuction to their thighs will resolve any cellulite issues. Unfortunately, this is not the case (even though your plastic surgeon wishes it was!). Cellulite occurs when fibrous connective bands trap small pockets of fat under the skin, causing a dimpling effect at the surface. Liposuction alone cannot alter this connective tissue, and removing the underlying fat may actually make cellulite appear worse. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will advise you on whether they believe your thighs are appropriate for Liposuction if any cellulite is present.
Recovery from Liposuction surgery is NOT glamorous.
“Don’t expect to be sipping a Mai Tai by the pool in a new bikini two weeks after your Liposuction surgery,” says Dr. Wilke. “Recovery takes time and is frequently accompanied by significant swelling and bruising. You’ll also be wearing compression garments for several weeks that don’t score a lot of points on the fashion scale either but are an integral piece of your surgical success. Although it can take months for all swelling to subside from Liposuction surgery, patients find that the results are well worth the wait.”
Scheduling Liposuction with a provider who is not a board-certified plastic surgeon is NOT a good idea.
Although Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgeries performed in the world, that doesn’t mean a patient shouldn’t take WHO is performing their procedure very seriously.
“Liposuction is not a non-invasive medical spa type procedure,” warns Dr. Wilke. “It is a surgical procedure that comes with risks, like any surgery. Just because a provider has a medical license that allows them to perform Liposuction surgery doesn’t mean they should. Board-certified plastic surgeons specialize in this area of medicine and perform hundreds of Liposuction surgeries each year. Never jeopardize your results, health, or safety by having Liposuction (or ANY surgery) performed by someone unlicensed or inexperienced. At Edina Plastic Surgery, all of our surgeons are board-certified and have collectively performed thousands of Liposuction procedures. We care about our patients and prioritize your health and safety above everything else.”
Interested in learning more about Liposuction surgery and how it can help reshape your body? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon at Edina Plastic Surgery by calling (612) 688-3177, texting (952) 925-1765, or by CLICKING HERE!
