We all want to feel great in our skin, and liposuction is one way to get rid of stubborn body fat and start feeling confident. Booking a fat removal procedure can be daunting, however, and common misconceptions about liposuction may hold you back. Before you take the next step, it’s important to understand some of the myths about liposuction and get a better idea of the truths to ease your mind.
What is Liposuction?
Also known as “lipo,” liposuction is a fat removal surgery that targets specific areas of the body with a unique device. The goal of liposuction is to sculpt and contour areas of the body where you may be struggling with stubborn pockets of fat – the abdomen, hips, legs, and neck are commonly targeted areas. During your surgery, anesthesia will be applied while a small metal tube called a cannula is used to remove the fat.
Myth: Liposuction is a Dangerous Procedure
Like any surgery, there are always risks involved with receiving liposuction. However, liposuction is one of the most common procedures performed at the Grand Rapids Centre for Plastic Surgery. Our board-certified plastic surgeons have decades of experience with liposuction, making the treatment very safe when given by professionals. Safety also depends on the candidate’s wellness, so there is less danger involved when a person is of good health and is close to their ideal weight prior to surgery.
Myth: Liposuction Does Not Work Long-Term
Liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss, and is designed to contour the body rather than eliminate cellulite or loose skin. However, the procedure does permanently remove fat cells and can have lasting results if weight is not gained in the targeted areas in the future. During your recovery, it’s very important to follow your doctor’s instructions so the targeted areas heal effectively. Avoiding strenuous exercise, staying hydrated, and eating well can help to ensure the long-term success of liposuction.
Myth: Liposuction is Not Healthy for Your Body
Liposuction can come with some negative side effects during the healing process, but the procedure is still healthy for your body to undergo. In surgery, small incisions are made in the body so fat can be removed with the cannula. It is common for bruising and swelling to occur as a result of this, along with occasional changes in skin sensation. Six weeks following the procedure, swelling and bruising generally should have subsided and you should be returning to your usual health.
Myth: Liposuction is Only For Women
Plastic surgery stereotypes often assert that only women receive liposuction, but this is far from the case. Plastic surgery is only growing in popularity for men, and liposuction can be a great way for men to gain body confidence. Men undergo the same liposuction procedure as women, with a cannula being used to eliminate targeted areas of fat. Liposuction is only one of the body plastic surgery procedures men can consider – the Centre for Plastic Surgery also offers male breast reductions, as well as facial and non-invasive options.
See if Liposuction is Right for You at the Centre for Plastic Surgery
Ready to pursue a more contoured figure with liposuction? Despite common myths about the procedure, liposuction can be beneficial to a number of patients in giving them the physical results they desire. When performed by professionals, liposuction is safe, healthy for the body, and offers lasting results for both men and women. Contact the Centre for Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation and start your liposuction journey.