June 21, 2023

The Negatives of Liposuction According to the Experts

Written by Dr. Smita Ramanadham. Posted in Blog.

Do you find yourself dissatisfied with stubborn fat deposits on your abdomen, sides, or legs that seem resistant to diet and exercise? Rest assured, you’re not alone in this experience. Liposuction, a widely sought-after cosmetic procedure, offers a solution by effectively removing excess fat from common problem areas, especially for individuals who are close to their desired weight loss goals.

Liposuction has successfully aided numerous individuals in enhancing the contours and overall shape of their bodies each year. However, it’s important to acknowledge that like any surgical procedure, liposuction carries potential drawbacks alongside its impressive results.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIPOSUCTION

There are several types of liposuction your surgeon may use. Which they choose for you depend on your body and the skill and training of the surgeon:

Tumescent liposuction: The most common procedure, tumescent lipo injects lidocaine and epinephrine into the treatment area to reduce swelling and bleeding. Then, fat is removed with a cannula.
Laser-assisted liposuction: A special laser on the end of the cannula liquefies the fat, which is then sucked out. This procedure also allows more fat to be precisely removed and usually has less bleeding and bruising.
Twin cannula-assisted liposuction: Using two cannulas allows for more fat to be removed and less scarring and bruising. It also makes it easier for the surgeon to remove more fat with less effort.
Ultrasonic-assisted liposuction: The surgeon exposes the fat to ultrasonic waves that destroy and liquifies the cells. This makes it less difficult to remove the tissue, making it less traumatic to the body.

CONS OF LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction offers patients near their ideal body weight the opportunity to remove stubborn fat pockets and excess skin that cannot be eliminated with diet and exercise.

Liposuction offers excellent results and a short recovery when a skilled plastic surgeon performs the procedure. As long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle, your liposuction results will last. And you can have this cosmetic procedure with other surgeries, such as a mommy makeover

However, liposuction is still surgery, and there are some pros and cons of liposuction to consider:

WEIGHT GAIN IS STILL POSSIBLE

You must commit to a healthy diet and regular exercise to lose weight to have long-term results. Unfortunately, many patients don’t realize that they can still gain weight after liposuction surgery while the removed fat won’t come back.

The surgeon will leave a certain amount of excess fat in the treatment area, and other body parts still have their normal levels of fat removal.

If the patient overeats and doesn’t exercise, the remaining fat cells also will swell in other areas and gain weight.

POST-PROCEDURE SWELLING

While liposuction isn’t nearly as invasive as a tummy tuck and other minimally invasive procedure, there will still be swelling after surgery. Most swelling recedes after a month, but there still can be swelling after three to six months.

You can reduce swelling skin infection and adverse reaction by wearing the compression garment the surgeon provides. It’s generally required to wear the compression garment for four to six weeks after liposuction.

LOOSE SKIN

If you are an older patient, there could be loose skin after removing the fat cells. In addition to skin burns, older people with less skin elasticity may be left having to address loose skin over the treatment area.

It is possible you could need skin removal surgery, such as a tummy tuck, after liposuction for the best results. It’s also important to be as close to your ideal weight as possible before liposuction to reduce the possibility of loose skin and stretch marks.

INTERNAL INJURY

A rare but possibly liposuction complication is if the surgeon positions the cannula too deep and punctures an organ or blood vessel. This is a medical emergency, and you’ll need immediate surgery to correct the mistake.

This complication is rare when an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon performs liposuction.

REMOVING TOO MUCH FAT

A common risk with this procedure is removing too much fat in a single session. Different surgeons follow various recommendations on how much fat is safe to remove. Generally, plastic surgeons remove up to five to 10 pounds of fat and liquid per session.

How much can be removed safely in your situation largely depends on your weight your surgeon’s skill.

Removing too much fat in one surgery can cause loose skin, lumps, and dents, all of which could require additional procedures to correct.

SURGERY RISKS

Any surgery involves incisions and anesthesia, so these surgical risks are worth considering before going ahead.

The most common risks with cosmetic surgery are reactions to anesthesia and surgical site infections. Fortunately, these issues are rare, and any risk is mitigated mainly by using a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Reducing CONS OF LIPOSUCTION AND RISKS

Fortunately, serious side effects and complications from liposuction are rare, and you can reduce the chances of problems.

First, it’s critical to share your full medical history with your surgeon to reduce the risk of serious complications. For example, tell them about all medicines and supplements you take and if you are allergic to any anesthetics.

Second, make sure that you quit at least a month before and after liposuction if you smoke. Tobacco and nicotine use affect the healing process and prolong the recovery process.

Also, be prepared to take it easy for a couple of weeks after the procedure. If you have an office job, a week off work is probably enough, but you shouldn’t engage in vigorous exercise for about a month.

Liposuction is a popular and effective way to improve your body contour. There are risks and downsides, but these can be well-managed by your board-certified plastic surgeon

REQUEST A LIPOSUCTION CONSULTATION

Considering to undergo liposuction in New Jersey? Dr. Smita. R. Ramanadham can help you obtain the results you want.

Dr. Ramanadham will answer your liposuction questions and go over your goals to determine if liposuction or other body contouring procedures fits your needs.