Debunking the Myths about Liposuction

Few cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are as popular as liposuction.  In 2015 alone, more than 222,000 men and women underwent liposuction procedures, making it second only to breast augmentation among the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in America.  However, despite the fact that the term “liposuction” has virtually become a household word, there are still many misconceptions surrounding this procedure.  At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, we believe that making an informed decision about any plastic surgery procedure means understanding as much about it as possible, so we would like to address and dispel some of the most common myths about liposuction.

MYTH: Liposuction is a great way to lose weight.

FALSE!  Liposuction is designed to remove excess fat cells from specific, highly-localized areas, effectively sculpting and shaping the body’s contours.  While it can safely remove fat from areas that are resistant to traditional diet and exercise efforts it is definitely not suitable for generalized weight loss.  In most cases it is unsafe to remove more than a few pounds of fat during a liposuction procedure – not enough to make a significant difference in the patient’s overall weight.  In general, liposuction is best performed on those who are close to, or have already reached, their ideal weight but who have small, specific areas that require additional refinement.

MYTH: Liposuction only works on the midsection.

FALSE!  Liposuction can be used to remove areas of stubborn fat from a number of different areas of the body.  While the abdomen, the hips, and the thighs are the most common, they are most certainly not the only options available.  Liposuction can be used to remove small amounts of fatty tissue from the breasts and nearby areas of the chest and back, allowing women or even men to achieve a more slender and sculpted physique without the need for full breast reduction surgery.  It is also frequently used during facial plastic surgery to help slim the jawline, chin, and upper neck, refining procedures like a full facelift or neck lift.  Any spot where fat cells collect can be addressed with liposuction.

MYTH: Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck do the same thing.

FALSE!  Both of these procedures may appear to slim and tone the midsection, but they do so in very different ways.  Liposuction simply removes excess fat, but does nothing to smooth the excess, sagging skin that may be left behind.  Unlike liposuction, a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedure not only removes excess, sagging skin, but also re-tightens underlying abdominal muscles, addressing the “pooch” that occurs when those muscles are stretched or distorted by pregnancy or long-term obesity.  It is often most effective to combine both procedures into a single surgical session, as is frequently done during a mommy makeover procedure.

If you are interested in learning more about liposuction, or about how any of the various body contouring procedures that we offer can help you, please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices.  We also have a variety of financing options, like Alphaeon® and CareCredit®, to assist you.  Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news and developments.