Liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that’s way too often (and mistakenly) viewed as a cure-all for every body contouring woe. In reality, there are certain limitations on who will benefit most from getting lipo.
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Excess Loose Skin
Liposuction is usually used to remove fat and contour problem spots, and won’t help a bit to tighten up floppy folds of skin. If you see unwelcome skin sagginess around your belly, liposuction may not be your best bet. Problems like stretch marks and excess skin left behind after pregnancy or weight loss may mean getting a tummy tuck instead.
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Abdominal Separation
Separation of the paired muscles in your abdomen is a condition caused by weakening of the tissue inside the abdominal wall, most often brought on by pregnancy but sometimes seen with weight gain too. Repairing this problem is way outside the normal scope of liposuction, which only addresses isolated fatty deposits. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, is specifically designed to repair separated abdominals.
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A Substitute for Weight Loss
There’s a common misconception that liposuction is a replacement for proper weight loss. Sure, lipo can remove areas of stubborn fat that haven’t responded to diet and exercise, but it definitely isn’t a viable option for shedding unwanted pounds. Difficult as it may be to hear, that means you’re still stuck with putting down that fast food and hitting the treadmill to reach your target weight.
It makes sense that the best liposuction results are seen in the best candidates for liposuction. If you have any of the issues listed above, you’ll probably see a better outcome from a different procedure instead.
Dr. Ditesheim is a plastic surgeon in Charlotte, North Carolina who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. To become board certified, a physician must complete a minimum of 5 years of surgical residency training, including at least 2 years of training specifically in plastic surgery, as well as pass rigorous written and oral examinations.
In addition, Dr. Ditesheim is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, an honor reserved for surgeons who have demonstrated highest professional standards for competency, ethical conduct, and training.
