How Much Fat Can Be Removed With Liposuction?
If you are struggling with stubborn pockets of fat around your body that continue to linger, regardless of your diet or exercise routine, you are certainly not alone. Countless men and women are frustrated by fat that has become unresponsive to traditional methods and keeps them from achieving their ultimate physical goals. Fortunately, liposuction offers patients a safe, effective, and long-lasting solution for finally eliminating stubborn fat deposits and enjoying a sculpted, beautiful new physique. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso is world-renowned for his expertise and takes great pride in helping Miami, FL area men and women look and feel better than ever with various cosmetic procedures, including liposuction.
How does liposuction work?
Liposuction is a relatively simple, yet highly effective, cosmetic procedure designed to remove small to moderate deposits of fat from various areas of the body. During the procedure, the surgeon will make a small punch hole incision through which a small tube, or cannula, can be inserted. Using the cannula, the surgeon will break up and remove fat cells with a vacuum-like suction technology. Dr. LaGrasso is proud to offer the most innovative and state-of-the-art therapies in his Miami, FL office and has several liposuction technologies at his disposal, including SmartLipo™ (a form of laser-assisted liposuction), VASER® Lipo, and others. During your initial consultation, Dr. LaGrasso will thoroughly examine your problem areas, discuss your concerns at length, answer your questions in detail, and, ultimately, recommend the treatment option that will best help you achieve your goals.
Where can I get liposuction?
One of the aspects of liposuction that is most attractive to patients and surgeons alike is that it can be used in many different locations across the body. Some of the most common areas that are treated with liposuction include:
- Abdomen
- Hips
- Flanks
- Buttocks
- Thighs
- Upper back or bra line
- Arms
- Face
- Neck/chin
In addition, liposuction is often used to enhance the results of another procedure by further contouring the treated area. For example, a surgeon may use liposuction in conjunction with a tummy tuck to remove excess fat, in addition to excising loose skin, resulting in a stunning, sculpted new figure.
Can you lose weight with liposuction?
It is important that patients considering liposuction have realistic expectations about their procedure and results. Although fat cells are removed during the procedure, liposuction is not designed to be a weight loss tool. In fact, ideal candidates for liposuction should already be at or near their goal weight. Patients who have a large amount of weight to lose may be better served by diet, exercise, or even weight loss surgery before moving on to liposuction as a more fine-tuning contouring procedure.
How much fat can be removed with liposuction?
It is widely accepted that 5000cc of fat, or about 10 –11 pounds, is the maximum volume that can be safely and effectively removed in a single liposuction procedure. Removing a larger amount of fat may increase the risk of complications.
Liposuction is FDA-approved as a safe and effective fat removal technique, but it is still essential that patients choose a qualified, highly experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to ensure a safe procedure, proper healing, and the best possible results. Dr. LaGrasso is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in the complexities and nuances of liposuction surgery and is committed to providing the highest level of patient care, with safety being of paramount importance.
How long does liposuction last?
Although the fat cells that are removed during liposuction will not return, it is possible that subsequent weight gain can cause the neighboring fat cells to swell and new fat cells to be generated. However, patients who maintain a healthy, stable weight through diet and exercise after their liposuction procedure can enjoy their new physique for many, many years to come.
Am I a good candidate for liposuction in Miami, FL?
In general, patients considering liposuction should be in good health overall, nonsmokers, and at a stable, healthy weight. While most men and women who meet these criteria can likely be considered good candidates for liposuction, the best way to determine with certainty whether or not the procedure is right for you is to be evaluated by an experienced and reputable plastic surgeon.
Call our convenient Miami, FL office today to schedule your one-on-one consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso, and learn more about how liposuction can help you finally get rid of that stubborn fat once and for all!