“The Best Candidates for Liposuction” by Dr. David Sayah
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Most people turn toward diet and exercise to achieve their ideal body contours. Yet, without being able to control exactly which part of the body the weight is lost from, stubborn fat deposits may remain behind where you least want them. Liposuction is the ideal solution for smoothing away the fat you don’t want and leaving behind the curves you do. So what are the main characteristics that will make it most likely for candidates to see great results from liposuction?
- Good Shape and Stubborn Topical Fat
Although liposuction is commonly regarded as a solution for weight loss, that’s actually not the case. While a pound or two of weight may be lost as a byproduct of lipo, real weight loss can only occur the old-fashioned way: eating right and staying active. As a result, the best candidates for liposuction should be in pretty good shape with just a few problem spots that they want addressed, and not considering lipo because they want to lose weight.
This is because the body actually stores two very different types of fat: subcutaneous and visceral. Visceral fat builds around the organs within the body. This is the type of fat that contributes to excess weight gain and obesity, and can only be addressed through changing your eating habits and burning extra calories. Lipo can’t reach the visceral fat at all; instead, it targets only the subcutaneous fat that lies closer to the skin’s surface. Subcutaneous fat isn’t as easily affected by lifestyle changes; that’s why many men and women may find that the same love handles are there no matter what the scale reads. Liposuction sculpts away this fat for trimmer lines, but isn’t a substitute for staying healthy from the inside out.
- Body Type and Skin Quality
Your body type can determine how well your figure will respond to liposuction as well. Besides having elastic skin is another important feature for the ideal liposuction candidate. Skin that’s still firm and elastic will more easily conform to the new body contours that liposuction creates. Loose or hanging skin will only get worse after lipo, not better.
It’s also important to recognize whether your shape is due to isolated pockets of fat or an underlying issue. For example, following massive weight loss or pregnancy, skin may remain stretched out and loose. Muscles, too, can be permanently changed after pregnancy. For women who wish to regain a trimmer waist following pregnancy or weight loss, liposuction won’t be much help if the problem is really due to lax muscles or excess skin and tissue; lipo can only remove fat cells. However, it can be combined with more advanced surgical procedures like abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck) for beautiful results that resolve multiple issues simultaneously. The important thing is to choose the right surgery for your specific appearance goals.
- Having Realistic Expectations
When it comes down to getting great results from your body sculpting, it’s important to maintain realistic expectations. Recognizing what lipo can and cannot accomplish in your body is important for feeling positive about your new look. You should also take the time to find a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon to work closely with you to understand your goals for the procedure, and develop a treatment plan to meet those goals. As long as you’re within a few pounds of your ideal target weight and in reasonably good shape with firm skin tone, you’re very likely to see outstanding results from your liposuction procedure.
Your Opinion?
Dr. David Sayah
Latest posts by Dr. David Sayah (see all)
- “Choosing Micro Liposuction for Precise Results” by Dr. Sayah - October 25, 2013
- “The Best Candidates for Liposuction” by Dr. David Sayah - October 14, 2013
- “Lasting Results after Lipo” by Dr. David Sayah - September 23, 2013
