Today, liposuction is the second most popular elective surgery in the United States. In 2020 alone, more than 250,000 liposuction surgeries took place in the US, and it’s easy to see why. As one of the most affordable elective surgeries on the market to date (the average liposuction costing just 3,500), many young adults are turning to plastic surgeons to remove unwanted pockets of fat that are unaffected by exercise. Dr. Jason Paul Helliwell, an Advanced Women’s Health Center plastic surgeon known for his skill in liposuction procedures, recognizes the large degree of misinformation surrounding liposuction and hopes to educate those considering liposuction on what they can realistically expect.
Associated Risks
First and foremost, it is important to recognize that liposuction is a medical procedure and thus carries a certain degree of risk. When working with an experienced and certified plastic surgeon, the risk associated with liposuction is minimal; however, like any medical surgery, there is a chance the procedure could result in infection, aspiration, and internal bleeding. Additionally, patients can be left with scarring, dimpling, bagging, and skin discoloration due to the surgery. When considering plastic surgery, Dr. Jason Paul Helliwell of Advanced Women’s Health Center encourages patients to thoroughly research the procedure and the associated risks.
Liposuction Is Not a Weight Loss Procedure
A liposuction procedure reshapes the body by removing fat deposits in certain locations along the body. However, it is important to note that liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure, meaning patients can gain weight post-surgery and see their results diminish. Various surveys have shown that 43% of liposuction patients gained weight after the surgery, with 56% of this group gaining between 5 to 10 pounds within six months. Researchers found in these surveys that the abdomen was the most common location; however, fat returning to the liposuction location is unlikely in patients who maintain their “post-lipo weight.”
Liposuction works Best For Those with Tight Skin
Quite often, those who have just lost a significant amount of weight pursue liposuction to remove the last area of stubborn fat. Unfortunately, many plastic surgeons must inform these patients that they will likely not see the results they are hoping for. This is because liposuction works best for those with firm, elastic skin who are within 30% of their ideal body weight. Additionally, those who smoke may also not be good candidates for liposuction, as nicotine can impact the skin’s elasticity, increasing the likelihood of dimpling and bagging.
