Is Liposuction Really Best Way To Reduce Body Fat?

Are you unable to get rid of extra body fat despite working out regularly and following a strict diet? If so, liposuction can solve your issue. And through this article, you will also know whether liposuction really reduces body fat and whether it is the most effective way to reduce body parts fat.

In this article, we will explain how to perform liposuction along with the things and outs of this procedure. Moreover, liposuction is compared with a tummy tuck and liposculpture, and coolsculpting. So, let us go through it in detail!

What is fat liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that breaks up and sucks fat from your body part. It is otherwise called lipoplasty, lipectomy, fat modeling, body contouring, and lipo.

Liposuction is an add-on procedure to enhance other cosmetic procedures like safety abdominoplasty, body contouring techniques, cervicoplasty, bust augmentation, and gluteal fat transfer.

In males, lipo can attain upper body dominance including the removal of excess flank adipose tissue. However, in females, lipo can improve the contours of the hip, buttocks, and waist.

Let us see how liposuction works!

How does liposuction work?

During liposuction, the surgeon makes a small incision around the target site. Next, your surgeon will insert a cannula (a hollow tube made up of stainless steel) into the deep fatty layer.

Furthermore, surgeons usually target the deeper fat layer than the superficial layer due to the possibility of less skin injury.

As your surgeon pushes and pulls the cannula through this deep layer, it will break up fat cells. Next, a syringe or vacuum pump is used to eliminate the fat with suction.

There are many types of liposuction techniques. Here are the below listed 7 types:

1. Tumescent liposuction – This is the most popular type of liposuction. In this type, the surgeon will pump a few liters of saline with epinephrine (vessel–constrictor) and local anesthesia beneath the skin of the target area. Next, your surgeon will suck out the fat through small suction tubes.
2. Dry liposuction – The surgeon does not inject the fluid before removing the fat. This type is not used nowadays due to a higher risk of bleeding and bruising.
3. Water-assisted liposuction (WAL)– Your surgeon will use a large volume of water-based solution to loosen the fat cells and eliminate them easily.
4. Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) or powered liposuction – Here, the surgeon uses a specialized and mechanized cannula that instantly moves back and forth to suck out fat more easily.
5. Suction-assisted liposuction (SAL) or suction lipectomy – The surgeon will insert a cannula into the fat layer under the skin. After moving the cannula back and forth to break up the fat layer, the surgeon will suck out the excess fat tissue.
6. Ultrasonic liposuction or Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) – Here, the surgeon will energize the cannula with ultrasound. When this cannula contacts the fat cells, it will burst their cell walls. Next, these cells become liquified which becomes easier to suck out using suction-assisted liposuction.
7. Laser-assisted lipolysis (LAL) or laser-guided liposuction– This less invasive procedure involves the use of tumescent fluid. The surgeon inserts a small tube through the incision to deliver laser heat into the fat portion under the skin.

The surgeon will select the appropriate liposuction technology and technique according to his preference and the patient’s characteristics.

There are several precautions to be followed before and after the liposuction procedure. Let us go through them in detail.

Before and After Care

Before care: Before undergoing liposuction, your surgeon will perform several health tests to ensure you are fit for surgery.

People who consume aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) should stop their intake two weeks before this procedure. Similarly, females should stop taking contraceptive pills.

Aftercare: After undergoing liposuction, your surgeon will leave the incisions open to drain excess blood and fluid from your body.

Moreover, you may experience numbness, pain, or bruising on the target area which will subside within 24-48 hours. Your surgeons will prescribe painkillers to help relieve inflammation and pain.

If you had used local anesthesia, you may leave the hospital on the same day. Those who had general anesthesia must stay in the hospital overnight.

Apart from the procedure, here is the list of top questions which our patients constantly ask.

Who needs liposuction?

People who follow the below criteria can opt for a liposuction procedure:

• Stay in proper health condition with no major health issues before opting for this procedure
• Be within 30 percent of the bodyweight
• Have proper, firm, and elastic skin to help your body adapt to the changing contours
• You should not smoke
• Have realistic expectations about the liposuction procedure
• Well-informed about the advantages and risks of liposuction
• The preferable age limit will be between 30 to 60, although liposuction is successful in younger and older people.
• Liposuction also works on obese patients, but that weight should be stable over the past two years.

However, do not opt for liposuction if you are planning to become pregnant, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Remember that liposuction cannot transform you into a supermodel. Moreover, this procedure will not eliminate every ounce of fat from your entire body.

Does liposuction cause only weight loss or reduce body fat?

Never think that liposuction is an instant weight loss or obesity treatment! It does not eliminate dimples, stretch marks, or cellulite.

Lipo can only create an aesthetically appealing contour by eliminating up to five pounds of fat from the target area. At the same time, the patient can maintain a stable body weight.

Are you thinking you can lose 30 pounds with liposuction?

The answer to this question is ‘NO’. As mentioned already, liposuction is just a body contouring treatment. It is a fat reduction treatment and not a weight reduction treatment. You may lose only a negligible weight.

You must be wondering how much fat can be removed then, right?

It is possible to eliminate up to 11 pounds or 5 litters of fat with this procedure. Surgeons do not eliminate more than that as it may prove unsafe.

Does liposuction change your shape?

Yes, you will achieve a new body shape that may be mostly permanent after the liposuction procedure.

Even if you put on extra weight after this procedure, your physique will transform into a slightly bigger version of your new body shape. That’s it!

Does liposuction reduce fat in the stomach or work on other body parts?

Liposuction works not only on the stomach but also on other body parts such as thighs, buttocks, hips, chin, neck, calves, back, and arms.

Are liposuction results permanent?

This is the most frequently asked question by patients, and the answer is YES.

The liposuction results can be permanent only when you follow a proper healthy lifestyle after the procedure.

Here is the list of healthy lifestyle habits to be followed:

• Make sure you follow all post-procedure instructions
• Exercise regularly and try to maintain the ideal body weight
• Stay hydrated by consuming more water
• Consume several small meals during the day
• Do not miss your meals
• Reduce calorie intake. Consume more healthy carbohydrates and proteins

Following the above-listed instructions can sustain the true effect of liposuction for a prolonged duration.

What are the disadvantages of liposuction?

Although liposuction is very effective, it can be expensive. This procedure requires multiple sessions. Moreover, liposuction can only suck a limited quantity of fat.

Other disadvantages of liposuction include the following:

• The swelling may last for 2-3 days.
• There may be discoloration or asymmetry in the treated parts which may gradually become normal.
• You may find contour irregularities like wrinkles, furrows, bumps, waves, or dips especially if the fat removal has been uneven.
• You may get a skin infection, allergy, or pulmonary embolism, although it occurs only in rare conditions
• Even the movement of the cannula may lead to skin burns due to friction
• In the case of aged people, they may have difficulty adjusting to liposuction. Their skin will lose elasticity and become loose with age

However, if you select a highly skilled and well-trained cosmetic surgeon, you may not experience all the above issues.

Can you get fat after liposuction?

Unfortunately, you may get fat after liposuction if you do not maintain your body weight. Even a slight weight gain may spoil the results. Moreover, fat cell accumulation will look bigger throughout your body.

Suppose you gain more weight, the fat removed from the treated part will not grow back.

However, new fat cells accumulate more in untreated areas compared to treated areas. And the already existing fat cells may look bigger as you gain weight.

Next, let us see how liposuction differs from liposculpture, tummy tuck, and coolsculpting in detail.

How Liposculpture Differs from Liposuction?

Although Journey to liposuction and liposculpture belong to the same cosmetic family, liposculpture is comparatively more precise and advanced.

Liposuction can eliminate superficial and deep fat deposits and modify the body contour. But liposculpture can redefine the body’s profile in people who experience considerable weight loss.

Liposuction eliminates more fat than liposculpture. But liposculpture reshapes the available excess quantity of fat and delivers remarkable body sculpting results.

Which is Better Liposuction or Tummy Tuck? – Know Their Pros and Cons.

Both liposuction and tummy tuck are two invasive cosmetic procedures that can change the appearance of your midsection.

These procedures can make your abdomen flat, small, and tight. To understand which one is better, let us go through the differences.

Both liposuction and tummy tuck have pros and cons as shown above.

In a nutshell, liposuction is a direct procedure with a lesser risk level and recovery downtime. However, the tummy tuck is a serious operation.

Liposuction helps in shaping the body part, while a tummy tuck can tighten muscles and skin.

Liposuction may improve insulin levels, which is an indicator of diabetes, unlike tummy tuck.

At times, both these procedures really work at the same time. So, your surgeon can determine the right treatment after examining your condition.

Which is better liposuction or cool sculpting?

Liposuction and cool sculpting are two cosmetic procedures used to reduce fat. To understand which one is better, let us go through the differences.

Here also, both liposuction and coolsculpting are quite effective. Ultimately, it is your surgeon who can determine the right treatment after examining your condition.

How has liposuction changed my life?

Here is the story of a patient who had undergone liposuction:

“When going in for liposuction, I never knew that my life would change once and for all. After the liposuction procedure, I followed all the instructions prescribed by the surgeon. I made a few changes in my lifestyle like following a proper diet and regular exercise.

Finally, I lost nearly 50 pounds. I gained more self-confidence than I have ever had. While looking in the mirror, I couldn’t recognize myself. When I take a selfie, I wonder whether it is really me.

So, remember that liposuction is not a one-stop weight loss solution. I had to work hard to sustain my body weight. It is ultimately my determination and dedication that made me a better person on the outside and the inside.”

Conclusion

Would you like to find out whether liposuction is the right solution?

Seek consultation with our highly skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Sandeep Bhasin from Care Well Medical Centre, New Delhi.

After discussing your expectations and a detailed examination, Dr. Sandeep will help you figure out if liposuction can achieve the figure you desire.

So, transform your overall appearance and achieve a perfect appealing shape with liposuction!