Liposuction Myths and Facts

While plastic surgery in general has become very popular over the years, one of the most common types is liposuction. This procedure involves the use of a suction technique to remove fat from specified “problem” areas. The targeted areas are those where fat accumulates that are nonresponsive to normal diet and exercise. Before undergoing a liposuction treatment, a person should examine just what he or she is hoping to accomplish through the procedure. There are several myths in circulation about the procedure, and getting to the bottom of them may take a little effort. Here are some of the most common misconceptions:
- Liposuction is a treatment for obesity: The procedure is not even ideal for obese people, and should only be performed if the person is within 30 pounds of his or her target weight. It is performed when diet and exercise have proved ineffective for loss of fat in a specific area of the body. The person should be relatively healthy before the surgery is even considered as a valid option for treating the affected area. Obese people are better treated by procedures like gastric bypass surgery as a method of weight loss.

- The procedure does not have any health benefits: Although it is not intended for obese people, this type of surgery can still be beneficial in improving a person’s overall health. As a person reaches adulthood, the number of fat cells in the body becomes stable. With weight gain, the fat cells expand in size and volume, but do not increase in number. Suctioning the fat out of the body results in permanent changes to the total number of fat cells. By reducing a person’s total body fat, the surgery also lowers cholesterol and the risk for heart disease. In addition, the change in appearance can motivate the person to live a healthier lifestyle by eating better and exercising.

- Liposuction gets rid of cellulite and stretch marks: Cellulite occurs when fatty deposits form dimples or wrinkles in the skin, commonly on the thighs and buttocks. It is not caused by obesity, and it is the most difficult fat to get rid of. No treatment has been proven to effectively remove cellulite, whether it is a surgical procedure, laser treatment, or body cream. In some cases where the skin has poor elasticity, cellulite can actually look worse after surgery. The same is true of stretch marks since they are an indicator of poor skin elasticity.

- The procedure improves hanging skin: Immediately following liposuction, hanging skin will likely appear even worse because the removal of the fat cells results in looser skin. This appearance may improve over time but only if the skin has good elasticity, which is not typical if the skin already hangs prior to treatment. In some cases a separate procedure called a skin excision might be necessary to remove the hanging skin altogether. Even with good skin elasticity, results are not immediate. The use of compression garments and massage can improve overall results, but they are not visible until the initial swelling is gone.
The preceding list only covers some of the most common myths about liposuction. There are many other false perceptions out there. Generally, the plastic surgeon can dispel many of those myths and provide reliable information about the procedure. Even with a professional consultation, some people might feel more comfortable finding some answers through other trusted sources. Before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, a person should make it his or her priority to be well educated about it.