How to Know If Liposuction Is the Right Treatment for Your Goals
Are you dealing with stubborn love handles or fat pockets that won't budge, no matter how much you diet or exercise? Liposuction can sculpt your body and remove these resistant areas, but it's not for everyone.
At Jeffrey LaGrasso MD in Miami, FL, Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, helps patients determine their candidacy for liposuction and understand what body sculpting can achieve. If you want to learn about liposuction or whether it's the right choice for you, call now to schedule a consultation.
Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
So, who is a good candidate for liposuction? Ideal patients are near their goal weight, in good overall health, and have specific areas of fat that can't be managed with diet or exercise. This body sculpting treatment is designed to refine and contour areas like the abdomen, thighs, arms, back, and love handles.
You may be an ideal candidate if you:
- Are within 15 pounds of your ideal weight
- Have firm, elastic skin that can adjust to your new contours
- Have localized fat pockets that don't respond to lifestyle changes
- Are committed to keeping a healthy lifestyle after surgery
- Don't smoke, or are willing to quit before and after the procedure
If you're significantly overweight or have poor skin elasticity, other treatments may be more appropriate. Dr. LaGrasso will evaluate your body, goals, and medical history to determine the ideal approach.
How does liposuction work?
Now, how does liposuction work? During your procedure in Miami, FL, small incisions are made near the treatment area. A thin tube called a cannula is inserted beneath the skin to break up and take out fat cells. The technique used depends on the area being treated and the amount of fat being removed.
While liposuction removes cells from the treated area to address love handles and more, the remaining fat cells can expand. This is why keeping a stable weight over time is important for long-term results.
What to expect during recovery
Recovery from liposuction varies based on the areas treated and the extent of the procedure. Most people experience swelling, bruising, and soreness for the first few days. You'll need to wear a compression garment to support healing and reduce swelling.
Light activities can usually be resumed soon after treatment, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for a few weeks. Most patients return to work within 1 – 2 weeks, depending on the nature of their job.
Results develop gradually as swelling subsides. You'll start to see the optimal results after 3 – 6 months.
Maintaining your results
Liposuction removes unwanted fat pockets, but maintaining your results requires a healthy lifestyle. Continue eating a well-balanced diet and staying active. If you gain a significant amount of weight after surgery, your body shape can change, even in the treated areas.
Think of liposuction as a tool to help you achieve the body contours you've been working toward, not a replacement for healthy habits. With proper care, your new outcomes can last for years.
Find out if liposuction is right for you
If you have questions such as, "How does liposuction work?" or "Who is a good candidate for liposuction?", Jeffrey LaGrasso MD in Miami, FL, is here to help. Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, specializes in body sculpting and can explain whether it's the right choice for your goals. Call now for a consultation and get the body you've been working toward.