Almost everyone has heard about liposuction, but there are several myths out there that can lead to misunderstandings about what this procedure can do. Liposuction is a common and popular procedure to remove excess fat from the body, typically from the thighs, abdomen, back, or neck. It is highly effective for removing fat in these areas. Because of its popularity, there is a wealth of information online about it, but not all of it is true! That’s why we want to set the record straight on liposuction and debunk five of the most common myths.
Liposuction Is A Weight Loss Procedure
By far the most common myth about liposuction is that it’s primarily a weight loss surgery. While you may lose weight during liposuction, weight loss isn’t its primary purpose. Liposuction is about body contouring.
While people with larger bodies may sometimes undergo liposuction, the ideal liposuction candidate is most often a person close to average size with healthy habits who retains fat deposits in specific problem areas they would like to treat. If you have not yet reached your ideal weight, your doctor may ask you to lose some weight the old-fashioned way (diet and exercise) before undergoing the procedure.
Liposuction Is Only For Women
When you imagine the most typical kind of liposuction patient, who do you see? Most people see liposuction as only a woman’s procedure, and while many more women get it than men, this isn’t always the case.
The truth is, liposuction can be very effective for men. It can be targeted to treat the love handles, belly fat, chest fat, and any other area of the body a patient might want to treat. Since men tend to have firmer muscle underneath fat layers, they can often see fantastic results, and we welcome any men who would like to learn more about the procedure.
Liposuction Fat Grows Back
During the liposuction procedure, fat cells are removed that will not grow back. It’s possible (and normal!) that some fat may be left behind. If regular diet and exercise are not maintained, those cells left behind may grow into new fat deposits, but even in that situation, the fat is likely to be distributed differently than it was before liposuction. Therefore, an important part of protecting your investment will be eating healthy and exercising. You can protect your new figure by caring for your body.
Liposuction Isn’t Surgery
Another persistent myth is that liposuction isn’t surgery. While the incisions required are not large, liposuction is still a surgical procedure. It requires some type of anesthesia, a recovery period, and a post-surgical care period just like any other surgery. You’ll need at least a week of recovery before returning to normal activities, and you likely won’t be cleared for things like strenuous exercise until four weeks post-surgery.
Liposuction Is Dangerous
Like all surgical procedures, liposuction carries some measure of risk. Fortunately, because it is such a popular and widespread procedure, techniques for performing liposuction have become advanced, and most importantly of all, safe. In the hands of a certified professional, liposuction can be as effective and safe as any other routine surgery.
Is Liposuction right for you?
Have you ever considered the procedure before? Do you think you would be more comfortable with liposuction, or with a nonsurgical body sculpting procedure like CoolSculpting? If you’re interested in learning about the options available to you, please reach out to us. We have experts available who will be able to explain the procedure and help you understand if liposuction is the right procedure for you.