Does Liposuction Permanently Remove Fat?

Liposuction is a fat removal surgery that can recontour and enhance the way you look to create a more appealing silhouette. Patients looking to slim down or tone up specific areas, such as the hips, thighs, and stomach area can turn to this popular cosmetic procedure. When diet and exercise can't reduce or eliminate unwanted fatty pockets that have become a frustrating fixture in specific places on the body, men and women can turn to the cosmetic help of liposuction. Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Nana Mizuguchi and his professional team at Mizuguchi Plastic Surgery have helped countless patients in the Louisville, KY area revitalize their physique with this fat reduction surgery. But, is liposuction permanent?

How does liposuction work?

Liposuction is a go-to-option for both men and women seeking cosmetic help to reshape and slim down their figure without a lengthy recovery period. It is one of several body contouring options that Dr. Mizuguchi offers his patients in Louisville, KY. He will use a small cannula to carefully extract and suction out excess fatty tissue while gently contouring and reshaping the target area. Men typically want help with their "love handles" or stomach area, while women, generally, choose the thighs, lower abdomen, hips, and underneath the chin. Every person will have unique aesthetic needs, and liposuction is a fat removal surgery that can be customized to accommodate each patient.

Does liposuction get rid of fat cells permanently?

Every liposuction procedure is tailored to achieve each patient's aesthetic goals. When performed on healthy, nonsmoking adults, who are within 30% of their ideal body weight, it can provide long-term results. Once the localized fat cells are eliminated with this fat reduction surgery, they are gone in the treated areas. However, liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. It does reduce the number of fat cells in the target area, but if a patient's weight fluctuates, it can alter any results. It is generally recommended patients remain close to the ideal weight, within 5 – 10 pounds, to enjoy their new look for years to come. If a patient needs to freshen up their appearance after their initial procedure, a follow-up fat reduction surgery is always an option in the future.

Do you know what to expect after liposuction?

Although liposuction can help reshape and contour certain areas of the body, it is not a miracle solution for weight loss. It is a cosmetic tool to help healthy individuals put the "finishing touches" on their physique and take their bodies to the next level. It is a fat reduction procedure that can remove excess fat and contour specific areas that are no longer responding to a healthy diet and regular exercise. If patients want to maintain their long-lasting results, they will have to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay within their ideal body weight to enjoy their new look.

Does liposuction tighten loose skin?

Even though liposuction is not a weight loss solution, it is an excellent cosmetic treatment for healthy men and women to achieve a smoother, more contoured appearance. It provides almost immediate results; once post-operative swelling begins to subside in the days following surgery. However, it can't help patients who are struggling with saggy, loose skin in certain areas. Our skin can change in texture and elasticity due to age, pregnancy, or fluctuations in weight, leaving behind skin that is loose or lax. Liposuction is a fat reduction surgery, but it can also be done in conjunction with other skin-tightening procedures, like a tummy tuck or arm lift, for optimal results. Consulting with a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon, like Dr. Mizuguchi, will determine the right surgical plan and cosmetic procedures needed to achieve your aesthetic goals.

Whatever your area of concern, liposuction can be the right solution to contour and reshape your way to a new look. It is a safe and effective cosmetic treatment to target different areas of the body by removing pesky fat, leaving you feeling more fit and toned and loving the way you look. If you are considering this fat reduction surgery or have additional questions, contact our Louisville, KY office today and schedule a consultation with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Nana Mizuguchi at Mizuguchi Plastic Surgery.