subject: Prospective Patients Should Know The Real Results Of Liposuction [print this page] When considering liposuction, patients should be educated about what results to expect. If they have unrealistic expectations they probably should not undergo the surgery because they will be likely be disappointed afterwards. However, if they understand what their results could be and are comfortable with those possibilities, they are a good candidate for the procedure.
Patients should first understand that liposuction is about body contouring, not dramatic changes. They will not lose drastic amounts of weight. It is a cosmetic procedure, and not a weight loss solution. The maximum amount of fat tissue that can be removed safely at once is about 6 to 8 pounds. If more liposuction is desired, another appointment should be scheduled about a month later to reduce risk. No matter how much fat is removed, this procedure does not improve health issues caused by obesity. It is only for fine-tuning a person's appearance.
Liposuction also does not improve cellulite or sagging skin. It improves the shape of the body, but not the texture of skin.
Patients should also know that their results will not be completely permanent. The new contoured shape is permanent, but it is absolutely possible for fat to reappear in that area, creating a larger version of the new shape. Liposuction does not prevent new fat cells from developing. An increase of more than 10% of body weight will result in new fat development in all parts of the body, including treated areas, and it is the patient's responsibility to be aware of this and live a healthy lifestyle to keep the shape they want.
Gaining weight soon after surgery will decrease the results of their operation. Results will still be visible, but not as dramatic as they could be otherwise. However, typically fat is less likely to appear in treated areas than in untreated parts of the body when there is minor weight gain.
Results may also be affected by aging. Change in size and location of the body's fat pockets are natural as the body ages. However, liposuction results should never completely disappear for this reason.
Pregnancy does not permanently alter the results either. As long as a woman loses the pregnancy weight, her new shape will remain.
After having liposuction, most patients see 90% of their ultimate results one to three months after the surgery. For the first few weeks there will be postoperative swelling, which will decrease at a rate depending on the surgeon's techniques and quality of postoperative care. However, after the swelling disappears, most patients will be glad to see the new shape of their bodies.
