Staten Island Plastic Surgeon Shares Important Liposuction Information

STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK - For some people, changing their diet and exercise routine just isn't enough. They desire a firm, trim body, but seem to always be struggling to lose the same pounds over and over with no success.It can be frustrating to deal with stubborn pockets of fat, which is the reason why many individuals turn to liposuction. Liposuction can eliminate unwanted fat and improve the contours of the body.A French surgeon introduced liposuction in 1982 as a means to help patients remove unsightly areas of fat. Since its introduction three decades ago, it has become among the top ranking surgeries with more than 204,000 surgeries performed in 2011, according to the according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.People who are educated about liposuction and have realistic expectations about its results are the best candidates, said Dr. Elliot Heller, a Staten Island plastic surgeon.How does the procedure work?A stainless steel tube called a cannula is used by the surgeon to suction fat deposits in targeted points of the body from the area between the skin and muscle. When the cannula is inserted into the patient using small incisions, a powerful suction device removes the fat, which creates tunnels that collapse during the healing process resulting in improved body contours.Who can have liposuction?People who have localized areas of fat that are out of proportion with other parts of the body that will not go away through traditional methods are ideal candidates. Common areas treated by liposuction include the saddle bags and love handles. The patient should have good skin tone and minimal excess skin because liposuction only removes the fat."Liposuction is not an alternative to diet and exercise," the breast surgeon said. "Patients must be fairly fit to quality and cannot be more than 40 pounds overweight. Following the procedure, a balanced diet and exercise regime should be maintained to up keep up their new body."Will cellulite be removed?Cellulite, also known as puckering or dimpling of the skin, will not be completely removed by liposuction. It does however reduce its appearance to a degree.Are the results long lasting?How long the results last depends on how the patient takes care of their new body. If they gain a decent amount of weight following the procedure, then their figure will just be a larger version of their body."Gaining weight after the procedure will cause fat to accumulate in other areas of the body," said Heller. "Patients who gain 10 more pounds after the surgery will find fat building in untreated areas of the body."Are there scars?In the hands of a skilled surgeon the risk of dimpling and indentions is greatly reduced, said Heller.How long is recovery?Recovery time varies from patient to patient, said Heller. Most people can resume their normal activities in about a week, with strenuous activities avoided for two to three weeks.Liposuction may not always be necessary, but for those who struggle with pockets of fat, this surgery is a great option, said Heller. Patients are encouraged to diet and exercise first before turning to plastic surgery.It is advised that patients meet with a plastic surgeon to determine if they are a good candidate for liposuction.