Sometimes, no matter how much we exercise or diet, we’re left with stubborn fat deposits that refuse to budge. That’s where body contouring techniques can help. Liposuction remains a popular choice (in fact, it’s the second-most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the US), along with other, less-invasive procedures for fat reduction.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that slims and reshapes specific parts of the body by using suction to remove excess fat deposits. Liposuction can treat the thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, arms, neck, chest, or back. Liposuction is not a weight loss treatment; it’s typically chosen by people who have tried diet and exercise and still can’t get rid of particular fat deposits.
Good candidates for this procedure don’t have too much excess skin, have good skin elasticity and muscle tone, and are i n good physical shape and overall health. Liposuction is not recommended for smokers or those who are obese.
After anesthesia is administered, thin, hollow tubes are inserted into small, inconspicuous incisions. Fat is dislodged through a controlled back-and-forth movement of the tubes, then suctioned out of the body using a syringe or surgical vacuum.
As with any surgery, there are risks that come with liposuction, which you should discuss thoroughly with your surgeon before the procedure. Recovery may require a compression garment or elastic bandages to cover the treatment area and control swelling.
After surgery, patients experience swelling and fluid retention. Once those after-effects subside (sometimes after several months), the patient’s improved body contour will become apparent.
Liposuction remains the most effective fat-reduction method for certain parts of the body. However, because it only targets fat cells and can leave sagging skin afterwards. Some patients may need skin excision to obtain optimal results.
CoolSculpting
Another option for body contouring is CoolSculpting®, a nonsurgical treatment of visible fat bulges In the thigh, abdomen, upper arm, flank, back, under the chin and jawline, along the bra line, and under the buttocks. CoolSculpting targets stubborn pockets of fat that are difficult to reduce through other means. The CoolSculpting instrument, two uniquely contoured applicator paddles, freezes fat cells, which your body naturally eliminates over the following one to three months. The treatment typically achieves a 20-25% reduction of fat in the treated area, and typically at least two treatments are needed a month apart in most areas.
Whatever body sculpting option you choose, it’s important to find a board-certified plastic surgeon with the expertise and experience to provide you with the results you’re seeking. Muskegon Surgical Associates has the experienced surgeons and state-of-the-art equipment to offer you the best options to meet your specific goals.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/lipolysis
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction