5 Misconceptions About Liposuction

Posted November 22, 2019 in High-Definition Liposuction

4 min read

Liposuction is a vastly popular form of plastic surgery. Many people know that liposuction is used for slimming a patient’s physique by removing unwanted fat.

Some may even know that the method of removal is suctioning of the fat cells. Unfortunately, this is where much of the knowledge ends and where the misconceptions begin.

Any treatment that is as widely performed as liposuction will have myths surrounding it, especially on the internet.

These incorrect facts may be detrimental for the potential patient since they can alter the patient’s expectations, and having realistic expectations is the cornerstone of a happy procedure.

Liposuction means the removal of localized fat pockets through the use of small incisions and a vacuuming device.

This treatment is best for patients hoping to fit into their jeans better, see a smoother contour along their hips and stomach, or eliminate the last pockets of baby fat that developed during their pregnancy.

While these are all right reasons to consider liposuction, there are other “desires” that may not pan out as expected.

These feelings are often a result of misconceptions, so we have compiled a list of 5 of the most common ones out there:

Results like this are typically achievable through liposuction treatment, which targets certain areas of the body like the belly and love handles.

1. It Is An Alternative to Weight Loss

Liposuction eliminates pockets of stubborn, diet, and exercise-resistant fat on the stomach, waist, upper back, lower back, chest, thighs, buttocks, knees, and ankles.

Since this treatment does remove fat cells, it is commonly mistaken for weight loss surgery. This is incorrect.

Liposuction can remove localized fat, but it cannot target substantial amounts and should not be used as an alternative to a healthy lifestyle.

Patients interested in a surgical procedure for significant weight loss should consider an alternate bariatric procedure that will alter the size of the stomach.

Ideal liposuction patients are close to their ideal weight and are looking to smooth their contours. Patients will notice that their clothes will fit better and, occasionally, can go down a size or two. Results vary depending on their body type and how well they maintain their results.

2. The Weight Will Show Up Somewhere Else

Some liposuction patients gain weight immediately after liposuction in other regions of the body.

This situation convinces many of those individuals that the weight was not removed through liposuction, but relocated. This is also false.

Liposuction permanently removes fat from the body, and the fat cells that are removed cannot be reproduced.

Unfortunately, the remaining fat cells can still grow in size if a healthy lifestyle is not followed.

Since there is a higher number of fat cells in the untreated areas, it is more likely that new fat will accumulate in those areas instead.

3. It Can Tighten Skin

There is no cosmetic procedure that can target unwanted fat the way that liposuction can.

Unfortunately, fat is the only concern that liposuction addresses.

Liposuction does not and cannot treat the skin laxity that occurs with age or in response to previous weight fluctuations.

If a patient demonstrates moderate to severe skin laxity, liposuction alone may worsen the condition (since the volume of the area will be reduced), and patients may desire an additional skin removal procedure like a tummy tuck, thigh lift, arm lift, or butt lift.

4. It Is Unsafe

Liposuction is an invasive cosmetic surgery and, like all surgeries, comes with inherent risk.

While some individuals have experienced adverse side effects, this rate is very low, and the vast majority of liposuction patients never experience any complications beyond bruising and swelling.

Liposuction is not dangerous, and, since it is performed under anesthesia, it does not hurt.

5. Liposuction Will Get Rid of Cellulite

Cellulite is essentially a pocket of fat. Therefore, it would seem as though liposuction would remove the unwanted orange peel skin from the patient’s thighs and buttocks.

Unfortunately, liposuction is not effective in cellulite reduction. Cellulite is caused when fat cells push through the connective tissues and become wedged between those tissues and the skin.

Liposuction cannot dislodge the fat that is trapped in this area.

Have More Questions?

If you are looking for liposuction near you, contact Dr. Grazer by calling 949-644-1240 or by filling out our online contact form.

Dr. Grazer is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in Newport Beach.