17 November 2020


10 things you need to know about lipo


Liposuction: Good to know

Hitting the gym and following a balanced diet are the foundations of a good weight loss plan. But sometimes tummy crunches won’t equal a flat tummy, and swapping chocolate for an apple won’t rid you of your love handles. That’s not to say you aren’t working hard, but that some fat deposits remain stubborn and take a lot more time and effort to shift. Liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure used to sculpt targeted areas of the body such as your bum, tummy, hips, thighs, knees, and chin. Like all cosmetic surgery, liposuction requires thorough research before making any decisions. We’ve made a start for you.

1. Liposuction is not an aid for weight loss

Contrary to popular belief, liposuction surgery cannot be used as a weight loss tool. In fact, only a small amount of weight is lost through surgery. Most patients who opt for lipo are looking for a more defined figure, or wish to remove stubborn areas of fat which are difficult to shift with a good diet and regular exercise. If you have a BMI of 30+ or you want to lose weight all over, alternative weight loss procedures are available.

2. Liposuction can treat most areas of the body

Liposuction can be of assistance to most areas of the body which contain unwanted fat, but most commonly patients opt for surgery on their hips, thighs, tummy, bum, knees, and chin. If you wish to have liposuction on multiple areas, for example after having a baby, you might need to have separate sessions to ensure your body recovers well. For guidance, click here.

3. It is a cosmetic procedure that requires skill

Liposuction has been practised since the 1920s when French surgeon Charles Dujarier first introduced the concept of body contouring and fat removal¹, and it requires a lot of skill. The surgery should always be done by an experienced and accredited surgeon. All UK surgeons must be accredited by the GMC, qualified to Bachelor’s level in medicine, and many belong to professional bodies advocating good practise. To read more about surgeon qualifications, click here.

4. You can get surgical and non-surgical liposuction

Some cosmetic providers now offer non-surgical (vaser) liposuction, as well as traditional liposuction surgery. Liposuction involves using small incisions and a surgical vacuum to dislodge fat deposits, usually by using vibrations, heat, or both. Vaser liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure which uses ultrasound to target fat cells, making it easier to remove deposits without damaging the skin.

5. The procedure leaves minimal scarring

Liposuction leaves patients with minimal scarring, which is one of the reasons why it is such a popular procedure. Scars are small (just a few millimetres in length) and often fade within a few months. If you opt for vaser or non-surgical liposuction, the possibility of your skin being damaged should be reduced.

6. Liposuction does not speed up your metabolism

Although liposuction surgery can motivate patients to lose excess weight, it is not weight loss surgery. Some believe that patients have an increased metabolism after surgery, but it is based on experience and there is little scientific backing behind it²

7. Lipo is not suitable for everyone

If you have localised areas of fat that are not responding to diet and exercise, then liposuction might be for you. Generally, your BMI should be a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 30 to qualify for surgery. At Transform, we use these BMI figures as a guideline, and patients will undergo a consultation to chat about personal needs before any decisions are made. If your BMI is 30 or over, an alternative form of weight loss surgery may be available to you.

8. You need to relax after liposuction

The effects of liposuction can include swelling, bruising, and discomfort. It’s recommended that you take a couple of days off work to allow your body to recover from these symptoms, even a week if your work life permits you to do so. In terms of surgery day, many patients prefer to stay overnight in a cosmetic surgery hospital, but it isn’t always needed.

9. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle afterwards

Keeping up your healthy habits will ensure you maximise and maintain the results of your liposuction surgery. You may find losing weight an easier task, but you’ll still need to have a good diet and exercise regularly to keep the pounds at bay. It is advised to take a week off work, but you’ll be able to resume an active lifestyle after that.

10. The results are not immediate

Generally, it takes up to four weeks to see the results of your liposuction surgery, and then you will see constant improvement for up to 3 months afterwards. This is one to bear in mind if you’re hoping to have liposuction in time for a wedding or holiday, as it’s not a procedure to be undergone without thought and planning.

At Transform

We guide thousands of men and women each year through liposuction procedures. You can rest assured that you’re in expert hands with our surgeons, who are fully trained in surgical and non-surgical liposuction. Get in touch and start your journey to being the best you. To book a consultation with us, click here

 

References

¹ History of Liposuction, News Medical 2015

² The Effect of Vaser Abdominal Liposuction, SAGE Journals 2017

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