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4 Common Myths About Liposuction

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Posted April 30, 2020 in Liposuction

Liposuction is not simply one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures, it’s also one of the most frequently commented upon, joked about — and misunderstood.

A common myth is that liposuction is a great fail-safe strategy for when body mass soars out of control. The truth is that liposuction is focused on improving shape, not weight. Below, experienced Sacramento plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Green explores the benefits and limitations of liposuction surgery.

Myth 1: Liposuction Will Make Me Thin

Liposuction is not a remedy for obesity, a substitute for exercise and a healthy diet or a cure for some of the imperfections that often appear as we age. In fact, it is important that you give diet and exercise a chance before you consider the procedure. Overweight patients should be within 20 pounds of recommended weight.

Liposuction is ideal for those areas of the body that seem immune to traditional lifestyle approaches. If you exercise regularly and lose weight through a balanced diet and still retain excess fat in the hips or thighs, liposuction may be an appropriate option.

Myth 2: Liposuction Eliminates Skin Imperfections

If skin is already sagging or loose in a certain area, liposuction will not improve its appearance. Cellulite and stretch marks are also not likely to improve significantly, although there may be a slight smoothing of the area, depending on the firmness of your skin.

The elasticity of a patient’s skin is a key factor in how the skin will look after the procedure.
If skin is elastic and muscle tone is good, the skin will conform well to the new body shape. With skin that has been stretched and is less elastic, folds of skin may be apparent after removal of fat.

Myth 3: The Fat Will Return

There is indeed a chance that pockets of fat could become plump again, but it is definitely not inevitable. If you change the behavior that led to obesity, you will not need to worry about significant amounts of fat returning. The cells that were removed during liposuction are gone, and will never grow back. But if your weight begins to rise again, adjoining fat cells will expand to store the excess caloric intake. 

Myth 4: Liposuction Is the Only Option

When it comes to removing stubborn pockets of fat, there are several highly effective alternatives, such as SculpSure and CoolSculpting. SculpSure uses laser-generated heat to disrupt fat cells. CoolSculpting relies on the opposite end of the temperature spectrum, freezing cells in the flabby “pinchable” areas of body fat. These crystallized cells are then absorbed by the body over a period of weeks or months. The gradual reduction of fat in targeted areas allows your skin to progressively shrink to cover your new profile.

To learn more about liposuction and schedule your personal consultation with Sacramento plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Green, please call (916) 929-1833, or request an appointment online today.