The Truth about Liposuction
There are definitely some perks to having information at our fingertips 24/7. At the same time, the sheer vastness of the internet means we can’t always be sure if what we’re reading is complete truth. Liposuction is a common procedure and, as such, has had a fair amount of misinformation distributed about it. In our Bryn Mawr office, liposuction continues to be one of the leading procedures. Seeing that we perform this fat-reducing treatment so often, we think we are a good resource to clear up any confusion. We’ll do that here.
- Liposuction is a fat-reducing treatment but it will not help you lose weight. The objective of this procedure is to refine the contours of one or more areas of the body. For example, liposuction can decrease the circumference of the thighs. The amount of fat removed, though, will not result in weight loss.
- Fat can return after liposuction. Fat-reduction treatment does remove a number of fat cells for good. However, weight gain occurs when fat cells expand in size, not when they grow in number. The results of liposuction can last indefinitely, but it does take work. Making healthy food choices and prioritizing exercise that you enjoy can support your best body after liposuction.
- Liposuction is not a painful procedure. In many cases, liposuction can be performed using a local anesthetic and you feel nothing but a bit of pressure. General anesthesia is typically only used when liposuction is being performed on multiple larger areas or is combined with another procedure like a drainless tummy tuck or mommy makeover. After the anesthetic wears off, many patients can manage comfort with over-the-counter medication. Prescription medication can be taken as directed as needed. Within a few days, you can expect to be back to most of your normal routine.
- Nonsurgical body contouring is better and safer than liposuction. Liposuction is a surgical procedure and therefore it does carry inherent risk. It is important to undergo this procedure only from a board-certified, highly qualified surgeon. As for nonsurgical treatments, they do work. We offer a few in our office. However, it is necessary to undergo multiple sessions to get optimal results and, even then, they may not match what could be achieved with liposuction.
Undergoing liposuction is a personal choice that we can help you make. We can do so by providing you with clear information regarding the procedure, what it can achieve, and what you can expect. To learn more, schedule a consultation in our Bryn Mawr office.
