Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes unwanted body fat from targeted areas of your body. This fat is typically unresponsive to diet and exercise and requires advanced treatment to eliminate it. Liposuction requires the expertise and experience of a skilled medical doctor.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2018, nearly 260,000 liposuction procedures were performed, an increase of 5 percent from 2017. This procedure ranked #2 in the top 5 cosmetic procedures, right behind breast augmentation. The reasoning behind this continued upward surge is due to its effectiveness and efficiency in removing stubborn fat from the body. A plastic surgeon can treat multiple areas, and larger ones at that, with this single procedure. It also gives patients more consistent and predictable results versus other noninvasive body contouring treatments.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jules Walters offers liposuction to eliminate fat from areas of concern on the body to patients in New Orleans, LA at Dr. Jules Walters. This body enhancement procedure reduces pockets of fat from areas such as the flanks, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs to create a more defined appearance, giving men and women in New Orleans, LA the sculpted and contoured shape that they desire to look and feel amazing again.
If you are considering liposuction to get rid of those areas of fat that diet and exercise can’t seem to touch, here are some important questions to ask your plastic surgeon about the procedure during your initial consultation and what it can do for you.
1. What Is Liposuction and How Is It Performed?
The primary goal of body contouring techniques like liposuction are to reshape and contour certain areas of the body so patients feel slimmer and more fit. When diet and exercise are unresponsive in certain areas, many men and women in New Orleans turn to liposuction for help eliminating excess fatty tissue.
A board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Walters, will utilize an instrument called a cannula, which is a long, hollow needle, to suction out or remove excess fatty tissue through small, precise incisions that are strategically placed in order to sculpt and contour the target area. The total amount of fat removed during the procedure varies by patient. Liposuction can remove anywhere from several ounces up to a few pounds of fat.
2. Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
First and foremost, it’s important that women and men in New Orleans who are interested in liposuction are aware that liposuction is not a weight-loss method. Liposuction can help redefine and sculpt your body, but it is not a substitute for weight loss and a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Ideal candidates for liposuction are healthy, physically fit, and have maintained their ideal body weight for more than 6 months. Good skin elasticity is also something that your plastic surgeon should look for in your initial consultation. Once the fatty tissue is removed, the skin must be able to conform or return back to its original state minus the extra fat underneath. It is recommended that women who opt to undergo liposuction should have no further plans to become pregnant again as this can compromise the lasting outcome of the procedure.
3. What Areas of The Body Can Liposuction Treat?
Individuals in New Orleans have varying body types and aesthetic goals. The great thing about liposuction, unlike other body contouring procedures, is that it can be performed on multiple areas of the body. Some of the common areas treated with liposuction include:
- Stomach or abdominal area
- Hips
- Waist or “love handle” area
- Flanks
- Thighs (inner and outer)
- Knees
- Buttocks
- Back or “bra rolls”
- Neck (to reduce the appearance of a double chin)
In some instances, women and men in New Orleans, LA may need liposuction in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure to obtain the aesthetic goal they want. When performed with another procedure, liposuction further contours and enhances the target area. Liposuction is commonly used with other procedures such as a tummy tuck, Brazilian butt lift, arm lift, and fat transfers.
4. What if I Have Excess Cellulite or Loose Skin?
Liposuction addresses the issue of extra body fat or fatty tissue in certain areas. For patients who have some cellulite, liposuction may help to smooth out the appearance of your skin. However, it won’t successfully treat severe cellulite. This is also the case for patients who have loose or saggy skin from extreme weight loss or after childbirth. Liposuction cannot tighten or improve the appearance of skin that has lost elasticity. Treatment options will need to be discussed with a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Walters to discuss other cosmetic options that can be used along with liposuction to address these issues.
5. What Is the Recovery Like from Liposuction?
Questions regarding recovery and what it will involve are common and should be discussed with your plastic surgeon. The recovery period will be impacted by your health prior to surgery, how many areas were treated, and how much fat was extracted. It’s typical to have some bruising and swelling for one or two weeks after undergoing liposuction. Stitches are typically removed approximately 7-10 days after surgery.
Be sure to discuss how much time you may need to take off from work, when you may be cleared to resume regular activities, and other physical limitations following the procedure. The most important thing to remember following your liposuction procedure is to give your body time to rest and heal.
Liposuction does so much more than change your outward appearance. It can change the way you view yourself and how others even view you. Many New Orleans-area patients have started and maintained a healthier lifestyle after receiving liposuction to prolong their results. This procedure truly can transform lives. If you are interested in learning more about liposuction, contact board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jules Walters at Dr. Jules Walters in New Orleans, LA to learn more about this procedure and if it is a good fit for you.
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