Answering the Most Frequently Asked Questions about Liposuction
Ever since modern fat removal techniques were first developed by doctors Arpad and Giorgio Fischer back in 1974, liposuction has been one of the most popular surgical body contouring procedures in the world. While other plastic surgery procedures may be more specialized or discreet, few can match the wide ranging versatility and immediately apparent results that the various forms of liposuction can provide. In the nearly fifty years that Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. has been one of the leading centers for plastic surgery in the Southeast, our board certified plastic surgeons have performed liposuction procedures of all types on thousands of men and women from around the world. Here are answers to some of the more common questions we hear about this extremely useful plastic surgery technique.
Are liposuction procedures safe?
Generally speaking, yes. Patients undergoing liposuction actually experience lower rates of serious complication than those undergoing other surgical procedures. Moreover, modern advances in liposuction technology, such as power-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, and water-assisted liposuction, can help loosen and liquefy the fat before removal, reducing pain and easing post-surgical recovery. Still, it is important to recognize that liposuction is a serious surgical procedure and that there is always some risk of surgical complications. It is extremely important that you carefully follow all pre- and post-operative instructions in order to insure that everything goes smoothly. Your plastic surgeon will go over all of the potential risks, in detail, and discuss whether or not liposuction is suitable given your specific medical history during your initial consultation.
What qualifications should a liposuction surgeon have?
While any doctor can call themselves a “cosmetic surgeon” and legally perform liposuction, the procedure is safest and most effective when done by a board certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience performing body contouring procedures. Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery requires thousands of additional hours performing a variety of surgical procedures and ensures that a plastic surgeon can perform not only the cosmetic procedure in question, but any additional procedures that may become necessary, making them better able to adapt to changing conditions or address any unforeseen complications.
What areas of the body can liposuction treat?
Liposuction is most commonly used to remove unwanted fat deposits from the hips, thighs, back, or abdomen in both men and women. However, it is also extremely useful in targeting isolated, hard to reach areas. Liposuction can help slim the jawline, chin, and upper neck, it can add definition and contour to the arms, calves, or ankles, and it can even help to reduce the size of overly large breasts, particularly in men suffering from gynecomastia. Finally, liposuction plays an integral role in various fat transfer techniques, like facial rejuvenation or the Brazilian Butt Lift, which use fat removed via liposuction to add rounded firmness to areas where the patient may desire it.
Am I a good candidate for liposuction?
Every patient is unique and, despite its overall versatility, liposuction is not necessarily recommended in all circumstances. Specifically, liposuction is not appropriate as a means of general weight loss, and should never be used as a substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise program. Optimal candidates for liposuction surgery are men and women who are at, or near, their ideal weight but who still have isolated deposits of hard to remove fat that they would like to have treated. Patients who are in good health, who have realistic expectations about their final liposuction results, and who carefully follow all pre- and post-operative instructions generally enjoy the most positive outcomes.
If you have additional questions about liposuction, or about any of surgical and non-surgical plastic surgery procedures we offer, please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices to schedule a consultation. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.
