The Advantages of Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess fat for the purpose of body contouring. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 245,000 people underwent liposuction in 2008, making it the third most popular surgical cosmetic procedure.

Control

• Having liposuction allows you to do what exercise usually cannot: challenge genetics and take control of the shape of your body. For example, women with larger middles often find that exercise alone does not sufficiently reduce this trouble spot. Liposuction can immediately remove fat and sculpt this area.

Removal of Fat Cells

• The fat cells that are removed with liposuction will not return, so the areas contoured have a reduced ability for fat production--meaning that it is unlikely to regain your "trouble" spots. However, you must follow a healthy diet and exercise to maintain optimal results, because if you do gain weight, the remaining fat cells can expand to the area you've had suctioned.

Immediate Results Improve with Time

• Another advantage of liposuction is that you will see immediate results following your surgery. However, you will likely have some swelling around the suctioned areas, so you'll get to see your results improve in four to six weeks. Patients who adapt an extremely healthy lifestyle after the surgery say that they lose more weight up to six months after the procedure.

Motivation

• Many patients say that the physical and financial investment they've made by choosing to have liposuction gives them motivation to maintain and even improve their results.

Confidence

• Overall, patients who have undergone liposuction say that they feel more confidence in their bodies. Some engage in activities that they wouldn't have prior to the procedure and feel more confident in their clothing.