Considering Liposuction? Here’s What You Need to Know

Liposuction is a good way to get rid of stubborn fat but it isn’t appropriate for all circumstances. 

Liposuction can remove fatty tissue from underneath your skin. Although the procedure has been around for several decades, cosmetic surgeons have refined the process over time. Dr. Emily Johnson of 817 Surgical Arts explains more about liposuction.

What liposuction can do

Liposuction can get rid of the stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet or exercise. 

If you’ve worked on diet and exercise and still find that you can’t get rid of areas of stubborn fat, liposuction can be the answer you’ve been seeking. Liposuction uses a tool called a cannula, which is a lot like a metal straw.

The cannula moves smoothly under the skin to remove unwanted fat from your body, which leaves your body looking smoother and improves your contours.

Liposuction is not a weight loss solution

If you are looking for a shortcut to weight loss, liposuction is not the first solution you want to pursue. 

You need to work on your diet and exercise to lose weight before you’re a good candidate for liposuction. You should be within 10% of your ideal body weight before you pursue liposuction.

How to prepare for liposuction

During a consultation with Dr. Johnson, you will give a full health history and receive a physical exam. You need to be in good general health and your skin needs to have a reasonable amount of elasticity. If you are cleared for the procedure, Dr. Johnson will schedule you for liposuction.

You will likely get local or general anesthesia, depending on the amount of the fat to be removed. The doctor will make small incisions in your skin, into which she will insert the cannula and remove fat.

After the liposuction procedure, you may have some bruising and swelling. This is usually a temporary state.

After the liposuction procedure

If you have liposuction, you may have heard the myth that the fat will go to some other part of your body. This simply isn’t the case. 

You may have the fat grafted to other parts of your body, which some people choose to do. For example, you may decide to have the fat that’s removed by liposuction grafted (injected) to your face to rewind time and give you a more youthful, healthy appearance. 

Most people choose to have fat removed from parts of their body where it’s unwanted. Dr. Johnson specializes in neck liposuction to remove unwanted fat and give your neck more definition. Fat can also be removed from the following areas:

• Inner or outer thighs
• Fat around your bra line
• Arms
• Hips
• Knees
• Ankles
• Waist

After your liposuction, you may be advised to wear compression garments to reduce the swelling. 

You can also get liposuction in addition to other surgical procedures, like a facelift or neck lift. The ultimate goal is to give you the smooth, sculpted look of your dreams.

If you would like to learn about whether or not you’re a good candidate for liposuction, schedule a consultation with Dr. Emily Johnson at 817 Surgical Arts. Contact the office or request an appointment online.