What About Liposuction?

What about liposuction? Is it a realistic option for a person who wants to rid him or herself of unwanted weight? Not necessarily. Liposuction surgery is not intended, nor should it be used as a replacement for proper diet and exercise. A good candidate for liposuction surgery is in good overall shape, within 10-20 lbs of his or her ideal weight, and wants to treat the stubborn pockets of fat that are not responding to a regular diet and exercise regimen.

The person should be healthy, both physically and psychologically with realistic expectations about the results of the surgery procedure. The fat removed during a liposuction surgery procedure will not re-accumulate in the treated areas in the same manner as it did prior to the surgery, and in some cases, may leave small scars.

It is popular for women see a plastic surgeon and request liposuction surgery after childbirth. These women have returned to their pre-pregnancy weight, and have some areas of their body with stubborn fat as a result of the pregnancy. Many of these women also find that post pregnancy exercise and diet do not effectively treat the pockets of fat. One common place where many women retain fat is around the outer hips and thighs. These women are ideal candidates because the fat is localized, and is less difficult to remove the fat and sculpt the surrounding area to create the contour the patient desires.

Pregnancy is a Strain On The Body, But Plastic Surgery Can Help

Unlike women who are simply overweight, pregnancy puts a certain strain on the body which cannot always be combated by diet and exercise alone. The midsection of the abdomen can be compared to a girdle, a garment which is composed of an elastic portion which, when stretched, is likely to become one size too big. In the abdominal section, women often lose the desired “girdling” effect after childbirth, which can occur in varying degrees.

Pregnancy not only weakens the muscles, but stretches out the connective tissue, which for most women will not revert to original form on its own. A tummy tuck not only targets excess skin, but also allows the plastic surgeon to retighten the connective tissue so that the abdominal wall reacts to give the waistline a desirable indentation. Without tightening the connective tissue and exerting a girdling effect on intra-abdominal contents, women cannot achieve their pre-pregnancy appearance.