4 Things You Should Know Before Liposuction

“What should I know before liposuction?” Our St. Louis-based West County Plastic Surgeons of Washington University team knows that body contouring patients have plenty of questions like this. That’s why our board-certified plastic surgeons explain everything during the initial consultation to discuss the cosmetic surgery for reducing excess fat from specific areas on the body.

That said, it can be helpful to come into the consultation with some idea of what to expect. Continue reading for some important things you should be aware of before having liposuction:

Even with the best diet and strictest exercise routine, it can be difficult to get fat to budge from certain areas, especially if hormones or genetics give you the tendency to carry more of your fat on some spots. Liposuction is a safe body contouring procedure that is done to remove stubborn fat as a way of re-shaping targeted areas on the body. By re-shaping the contours of the body, liposuction can improve your overall proportions.

Ideal Candidates Have Firm, Elastic Skin

It’s worth noting that while liposuction reduces excess fat, the treatment won’t tighten or remove excess skin. To get the best results from this procedure, you will need to have good skin elasticity and muscle tone. You can also choose a skin-tightening treatment or surgical procedure to complement your fat-reduction results.

Liposuction is Not a Weight-Loss Surgery 

Liposuction is considered to be a fat-reduction procedure, which is not the same thing as a weight-loss treatment. This type of cosmetic surgery is designed for patients who are healthy and at or close to their ideal weight. You shouldn’t expect to lose weight from liposuction. 

It Doesn’t Remove Stretch Marks or Cellulite

Stretch marks are scars that develop in the middle layer of skin that has grown rapidly to accommodate an increase in volume, while cellulite is caused by an interaction between fibrous cords pulling down on the skin and underlying fat pushing up against the surface. Liposuction won’t address these conditions. 

Liposuction Isn’t Just for the Stomach 

Although it can seem like just about everyone who gets liposuction focuses on their stomach, the procedure isn’t just limited to this area. You can have fatty tissue removed from almost any body area, including the arms and legs, back, and under the chin.

Call our team at West County Plastic Surgeons of Washington University at (314) 996-8800 or fill out a contact form to find out more about liposuction or arrange a consultation.