Each and every person has a unique body. Because our bodies are unique, each store fat in different areas. Many store fat around the belly area, thighs and buttocks, but some are stored in the upper body near the back, arms, or face. (add something more here)
Liposuction has become an increasingly well-known and sought-out method for removing belly fat. What you might not know, however, is that it’s also used for fat reduction in many other areas of the body. If you’re considering liposuction, you should know all your options and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Let’s take a look at the choices that are available to you and some of the common questions that come up along the way!
What Is Liposuction?
The short explanation for liposuction is removing fat from targeted areas in your body using a suction tube. This is an outpatient procedure so you’re going to need some downtime to recover after your surgery. It doesn’t have to just be from your abdominal wall, it can be from your buttocks, legs, arms, breasts, chin, etc. After you recover, you can expect to feel a smoother, firmer, more uniform you (woo hoo!). It’s not recommended as a continuous long term weight loss regimen but a great way to jumpstart your journey to a more confident you!
What Areas of the Body Can I Get Liposuction?
Typically when most people hear liposuction, they think of it as a procedure that just removes abdominal fat but, surprise - it’s for all over the body! Here are the other places you can have liposuction:
- Upper arms
- Buttocks
- Hips
- Thighs
- Chin and neck
- Calves and ankles
- Back
- Breasts
- Chest
Breasts and chest, you say? Yes! Most times the techniques used in liposuction are also used when getting a breast reduction.
Here’s the scoop on getting multiple areas done - it’s possible to get multiple areas treated in one session. Because every patient and everyone’s body is unique in itself, through your consultation you’ll find out what will work best for your needs and for your body’s needs to reach your desired outcome.
What’s the Difference Between Liposuction and SculpSure?
You want a flat stomach or tighter thighs but not sure which is the best way to achieve your goal, so let's talk about your top two options...
There’s liposuction, an outpatient surgical procedure and then there’s SculpSure, a minimally invasive and non-surgical procedure. They both require lasers throughout each procedure, they’re just used differently!
Let’s start with Sculpture: this one doesn’t require surgery, it uses a laser to target different areas of the body. The laser penetrates the body fat below the skin to disrupt the fat cells, killing them over the time of your recovery period. Your body will naturally eliminate the dead fat cells, leaving you with firmer, more uniform skin.
Typically, Liposuction uses both lasers and a cannula tube (suction tube) that will aid in the removal of the fat cells under the skin. The laser is used first to target your unwanted fat cells, breaking them down. After this step, the cannula is used to remove the now dead fat cells from the body. By using the cannula in addition to the lasers it helps your body work less through your recovery period. Your body doesn’t have to break down and eject the dead fat cells on its own - resulting in more intense fat removal from the body and ultimately leaving you with a happier result!
But with us, we like to use a different and more advanced approach to liposuction called Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL). We like to give our patients the best of results which is why instead of a laser, we inject a fat cell diluting solution under the skin first. This creates a wider area of coverage where the fat cells are being removed - which will only elevate your results! After the solution begins to do its job we insert the machine powered cannula to remove the dead fat cells. This sounds a little more intense, but we promise it will leave you with the best result possible!
So which one is best for me, you ask? Well that’s up to you! Schedule a consultation and let us help you make your best choice.
Does It Hurt?
During the procedure, you won’t feel a thing. Your liposuction procedure will be performed under either local or general anesthesia. The truth is - for most people, after your surgery you should expect some bruising and tenderness in your body as it recovers for up to 2 weeks. Don’t worry, you’ll be provided with all you’ll need for your post-op recovery. You’ll have compression garments to wear over your treatment areas and if you’re experiencing discomfort, pain medication is an option for you. You will be back to normal activities in about a month or two!
Because this is a surgical procedure you’re going to need to make sure you have time to lay and rest up your body. Our goal is to make your surgery and recovery as smooth as possible - oh, and your body too!
Is Liposuction Right for Me?
Like with any surgical procedure, there are factors and risks to consider. It’s important to do your research and speak with the board-certified physician that will be performing your procedure.
And that’s just it - it’s your journey not anyone else's so let us help you find your happier you!
Contact us at the Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery for a consultation to review your medical history and your goals, and let us help you find the option that gets you to the body you’ve dreamed of!
