Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgeries and has been performed successfully for several decades. In that time, some persistent myths have grown up around what liposuction can and can’t do, as well as who it is for and what some of its risks are.
Let’s tackle some of these myths, so that you have the information you need to decide whether liposuction is right for you.
Myth: Liposuction is risky
Contemporary liposuction techniques have evolved over the last several decades. When performed by experienced and certified professionals, liposuction carries no more risk than any other procedure in both cosmetic and facial surgery. To set yourself up for a successful surgery and outcome, follow all of the pre- and post-surgical instructions provided by your doctor.
Myth: Liposuction is a great way to shed excess weight
Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. It is meant for people who are in a healthy weight range and want to contour their bodies to remove stubborn pockets of fat that diet and exercise can’t get rid of.
Myth: Liposuction is a lazy way to achieve fast results
As mentioned above, liposuction does not remove significant amounts of weight from the body. It provides a subtle contouring of “trouble spots,” and maintaining those results requires a commitment to healthy habits.
Myth: Pockets of fat will come back after liposuction
Fat cells that have been removed via liposuction are gone for good and will not come back. However, it is possible that the fat cells that remain in an area can expand through surplus calorie consumption. You can help protect the results of your liposuction treatment by sticking to a healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.
Myth: Liposuction is a good way to get rid of cellulite
Because cellulite is a very particular kind of subcutaneous fat that involves connective tissue, it is not an appropriate target for liposuction.
Myth: Liposuction can tighten loose skin
Liposuction is a procedure that removes soft, fatty tissue, so in areas that have lax or sagging skin (like a double chin), a skin tightening procedure would also be required to tauten and smooth the area.
Myth: Liposuction is a procedure with little to no recovery time
Although liposuction is an outpatient procedure, patients still need to take time to recover. It is common to experience swelling, soreness, and bruising after liposuction. Most patients require at least one and up to six weeks of recovery time before resuming the full range of their normal routines.