With how common liposuction is these days, it’s natural for men and women to have questions about what the procedure entails. This is an important part of the process and the best candidates for cosmetic surgery will be fully informed every step of the way. To that end, let’s review some of the most common questions posed by liposuction newbies:
1. Will it help me lose weight?
No. Liposuction is not a weight loss method. Liposuction can contour your body and remove deposits of stubborn fat, but the amount of weight patients typically lose during liposuction is insignificant.
2. Where on my body can I have it done?
The most common areas for liposuction include the abdomen, flanks (muffin top), hips, thighs, arms, buttocks and back. While nearly any area on your body can be treated with lipo, your options will depend on what liposuction techniques your surgeon offers. Some methods, like ultrasonic lipo, can address delicate areas around your neck and face that traditional tumescent lipo may not be able to.
3. Will the fat come back?
No—once removed, fat cells don’t return. When our body fat increases, we don’t gain more fat cells per se; the ones we already have simply expand. This means that once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. This doesn’t mean that other fat cells won’t expand into your treatment area, only that the excised cells won’t regrow.
4. How much can you take away?
Your surgeon will determine how much fat can be safely removed based on your goal appearance, your BMI (body mass index) and the treatment area. As a rule, those with more body fat can afford to have more removed, but most surgeons recommend that men and women reach their ideal body weight before they have liposuction. In fact, removing too much body fat can be dangerous. That’s why liposuction is an effective option for streamlining your figure, but doesn’t actually help you lose weight.