Liposuction: For When Diet and Exercise Are Not Enough

You have been working out several days a week and that stubborn fat will not budge. You have been eating salads that make you feel like a rabbit for all the lettuce, and yet the look of your body is not changing. It may be time to consider a more drastic approach to getting rid of that unwanted, unmoving fat. It may be time for a procedure called liposuction, or lipo.

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery operation to remove unwanted fat from your body. It is best performed on a patient in good health and near their ideal weight. The procedure is not used to rid your body of large amounts of fat, so it does not replace diet and exercise for weight loss. The surgery is performed by using a cannula (a small tube) to loosen excess fat and suction it out of your body. By selecting specific areas, the surgeon and contour your body to a desirable shape.

This operation is best used for sculpting your body in areas that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. The buttocks, thighs, backs of arms and stomach are all common areas where stubborn fat can be a problem. These pockets of fat are removed from your body and a smoother, more sculpted shape emerges. Often, this surgery is combined with other procedures such as a tummy tuck or breast reduction for a greater overall effect.

Like any surgical procedure, liposuction has its risks. You will need to decide if the benefits of a sculpted, leaner look are worth it. Typically there is some bruising and swelling and the area treated will be sore. Some results can be seen right after the surgery, but maximum results are seen in about 4-6 weeks. However, many find that the recovery period is worth the results. 

Liposuction has more benefits than you might think. When you emerge from the recovery period, you will look terrific. Your once flabby areas will be smoother and more contoured. You will be able to wear different clothes that your problem areas prohibited. You can look as great as you feel! 

One of the more unnoticed yet more important results of this cosmetic procedure is not physical, but mental. When the stubborn pockets of fat are removed, your self esteem soars to new heights. You will be more confident about how you look and thus able to focus your energy on other tasks.

There are several factors to think about when considering this procedure. First, are you healthy enough for the procedure? If you have more weight to lose, use liposuction as a goal for yourself. When you have lost the weight, then you can reward yourself with a body sculpting procedure to maximize your results. Next, can you afford surgery? While not covered by insurance, most doctors offer financing options that help make the procedure more affordable. Lastly, do the benefits outweigh the risks? Most would agree that achieving the look they desire is worth the surgery and the recovery.