What Liposuction Can Do for You (& What It Can’t)

Thanks to its reliability and effectiveness at reducing unwanted fat, “liposuction” has become a household word. There’s no denying it can create very impressive results, however, liposuction isn’t always the appropriate solution for everyone. In this blog post, let’s take a look at the basics of liposuction here in Connecticut — specifically, who it’s for and what it can achieve.

The Basics of Liposuction

Liposuction isn’t simply a “fat-sucking” procedure. It’s intended more for detailed shaping and contouring, and it’s especially adept at reducing localized deposits of fat in some of the most common problem areas, such as the hips, abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. Liposuction is an outpatient surgical procedure that generally uses a series of small incisions which heal to discreet scars.

Liposuction Candidates

The best candidates for liposuction are men and women who are in overall good shape but struggle with small areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. I typically tell patients that they should find their “happy weight,” — one that’s easy for them to maintain — and be within 10 to 15 pounds of it before undergoing liposuction.

What Liposuction Isn’t

Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure or a solution for obesity. Additionally, liposuction doesn’t treat cellulite.

Recuperation

I prefer using a form of liposuction called power-assisted liposuction, or PAL. This approach uses an automated cannula to reduce surgeon fatigue and minimize trauma to surrounding tissues. It results in a reduced recovery time when compared to other versions of liposuction. Although your exact recovery timeline depends on the significance of your surgery, most patients are comfortable getting back to work and other light daily activities within 10 days or so.

Real Results

There’s no better way to understand what liposuction can and can’t do than to see the results. Take a look at this before-and-after photo of one of my previous patients:

If you’d like to find out if liposuction might be the right procedure for you, request a consultation using the online form to discuss your concerns with me, or call our office at (203) 336-9862 to schedule an appointment.