Many people with stubborn areas of fat often consider liposuction as an alternative weight loss procedure. 

There is some truth that liposuction does remove weight, but there is much more to it than that. Read on to learn more.

How does Liposuction Work?

Liposuction is a powerful technique to address stubborn areas of fat that are not conducive to weight loss and exercise. 

Many women complain that despite diet and exercise, they continue to experience unwanted fat in problem areas including the abdomen, love handles, arms, legs, neck, or knees. 

The procedure involves the use of small incisions and cannulas to remove excess fat. 

Downtime is minimal and results are gratifying.  

How much weight can you lose with liposuction?

This question is tricky. While some patients may lose a few pounds, that is not the goal of liposuction. The purpose of liposuction is body sculpting and improving physical physique, not weight loss.

Usually, the maximum amount of fat that is suctioned out is the equivalent of around 5-8 pounds. It is not recommended to have more than 4-5L of liposuction performed in one surgical procedure, and as more is done the risk of complication increases. 

If multiple treatment areas are desired and the overall amount of liposuction is > 5 L, the procedure should be broken down into 2 separate surgeries spaced about 12 weeks apart.

Therefore, patients should not expect to lose a dramatic amount of weight with liposuction. However, because fat is removed from cosmetically important areas, liposuction can produce significant improvements in the way you look and feel in clothing. 

Are the results permanent? Will fat cells grow back? 

After liposuction, you will be placed in a medical-grade compression garment and your surgeon will give you instructions on how to care for your new body. 

If you adhere to your instructions and do not experience a dramatic weight gain, your body’s shape is more or less permanent. 

If you do gain weight after liposuction, then your figure will simply be a larger version of the new body shape. However, the dramatic results you initially saw will be less defining.

Liposuction removes fat cells permanently. However, with an increase in weight, new fat cells can develop in all areas of the body, including previously treated liposuction areas.

That being said, the degree of fat deposits re-growing in a previously treated liposuction area is less than in untreated areas. 

What age-related changes should I experience if I remain weight-stable?

No. If you stay around the same weight, then you should not expect fat cells to redeposit in the area previously treated. 

However, it is natural for the body’s fat deposits to change gradually with age and fluctuations in hormones. However, the results of successful liposuction should remain visible. 

Will I see my results right away?

The majority of patients will see their final results 8-12 weeks after their procedure. Most patients have swelling and bruising that resolves within a few weeks of surgery.

Which is a better choice for me, Liposuction or a Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty)

Liposuction is a noninvasive (no skin incision and no long scars) procedure that focuses on removal of fat cells, but does not address excess skin. 

Liposuction is intended for individuals with good skin elasticity so the skin can “bounce back” after the procedure. For individuals with excess skin, a Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) or total body lift may be a better option.

Liposuction does not address abdominal wall laxity or diastasis recti. 

However, it is considered a body contouring procedure as it will accentuate feminine features such as a thin waistline and hourglass silhouette. It is used to sculpt, or fine-tune, certain treatment areas that do not respond to a healthy lifestyle.

In some patients, it is safe to combine liposuction with an abdominoplasty, depending on where excess fat resides.

We offer a variety of surgical and nonsurgical services in our office.  

Dr. Parcells is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New Jersey. She is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Summer is right around the corner. And despite your best efforts at diet and exercise, stubborn or excessive areas of fat may remain resistant to your routine. 

Contemplating liposuction or an alternative fat reduction procedure is very common and understanding your options can be confusing. The goal, of course, is to destroy fat cells. I’ve outlined the most popular treatments available and the benefits and risks of each procedure. 

Who is a good candidate for a fat reducing procedure?

These procedures are great for individuals who have great skin tone and texture, but who are looking to get rid of stubborn fat in the abdomen, thighs, flanks (“love handles”), back, arms, and double chin. 

The ideal patient:

• Is close to her/his ideal body weight and is confident she/he can maintain that weight after the procedure.

• Has an active lifestyle and good general health. Although fat removal usually is permanent, any cells left behind can continue to grow with weight gain.

• Has good skin elasticity.

• Has realistic expectations on what can be accomplished with the procedure.

LIPOSUCTION 

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a powerful cosmetic procedure to address stubborn areas of fat that are not conducive to weight loss and exercise. This minimally invasive technique has been popular for decades because it can predictably remove fat and consistently deliver dramatic results.

What areas of the body can be treated with liposuction?

Common areas of treatment include the abdomen, thighs, hips/flanks, chin, arms, and back. Other areas may be considered based on your body’s shape.

How does it work?

This surgical procedure involves making tiny incisions (holes) in your skin to initially place a specific type of fluid and then a cannula or metal tube to suck out the liquid and fatty deposits.  

There is minimal scarring and small stitches at the incision sites are usually removed in a week

How long does the procedure take?

Treatment time varies from 1 hour to several hours and can be done in an outpatient surgical facility. Compression garments are recommended postoperatively. 

What is the recovery time and downtime?

Depending on the amount of liposuction desired, your surgeon will determine if the procedure can be performed in an outpatient facility or in the hospital to monitor you overnight. 

You will likely be placed in a compression garment to limit and improve initial swelling. Most patients complain of dull pain and soreness. 

Downtime is minimal and results can be seen about 1 month after surgery with final results about 6 months postoperatively.

What are the risks?

Every surgery has risks. In this procedure, bruising and swelling are normal. Pain may be present but tolerable. Other complications include dimpling or irregularities in skin contour, infection, asymmetries, etc.

Who is properly trained to perform this procedure?

You should choose a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform this procedure as she is well trained and understands the subtle nuances to obtain the best result. 

COOLSCULPTING

What is Coolsculpting?

CoolSculpting is a noninvasive, office-based treatment that destroys fat cells by cryolipolysis, or by freezing the fat. 

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Once the cells have been frozen, the body naturally eliminates them over the course of a few months.  

What areas can be treated with Coolsculpting?

Treatment areas include a double chin, back, flanks, bra rolls, distal knees, abdomen, inner and outer thighs, distal thighs, underneath the buttocks and upper arms.

How does it work?

During your consultation, you will be fitted with an applicator to determine if you have enough fat for proper treatment. 

During the treatment, the applicator will be placed on the treatment area and there will be a light vacuum sensation. 

You will feel a cooling effect within the first 10 minutes and may experience tingling for the remainder of the time. 

Treatment times vary from 35 – 60 minutes. These applicators cause less bruising, swelling, cramping, firmness, and stinging. 

After the applicator is detached, your provider will do a brief massage on the area to break up the treated fat cells and enhance the fat reduction. 

Describe the recovery and downtime?

There is no downtime, but some patients may experience redness, bruising, lightweight feel tingling, numbness but this is temporary and eventually disappears completely. 

Results are visible after one treatment. However, depending on the desired outcome, multiple treatments may be encouraged. 

When will I see results?

According to clinical tests, the CoolSculpting procedure achieved a satisfaction rate of 95% among patients. 

Although transformation can occur in some patients during the first three weeks following their session, the most dramatic results usually appear one to three months after treatment.

Most patients do not require more than one treatment session for a final result.

KYBELLA

What is Kybella?

Kybella is an injectable medication that hat breaks down the fat by stimulating

a chemical reaction. 

What are the on-label treatment areas?

Kybella is currently only FDA-approved to be used to address small areas of fat under the chin, but some practitioners are using it off-label to treat the upper breasts, abdomen, and thighs for example. 

How does it work?

Your practitioner will determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure based on your anatomy. The medication is often injected superficially over the surface of the treatment area. Kybella may require a few treatment sessions for full effect.

What are the recovery and downtime?

You may experience some redness, swelling, and bruising around the injection sites, but these side effects are typically mild and improve quickly.

Most patients can resume their activities the day after the treatment. 

Results are best seen about 12 weeks after treatment. 

Additionally, there are radiofrequency and ultrasound energy technologies in the noninvasive fat reduction space. 

There are obvious benefits to all of these options, but the only way to truly know which will be best for you is to meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has the knowledge and surgical experience to guide you on the best result.

Interested in trying Botox? A Juvéderm filler? A laser resurfacing procedure? 

You may want to see a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for that.

Individuals seeking out a cosmetic procedure often assume that cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgeons have the same training and that the word plastic and cosmetic are interchangeable. 

This is misleading, confusing, and can even be dangerous. 

As a board-certified Plastic surgeon, I often refer to my practice as a mix of reconstructive (i.e. breast reconstruction) and cosmetic, because I’ve had extensive training in both. 

However, properly Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons do not refer to themselves as “cosmetic surgeons.”

What is Plastic Surgery?

The goal of plastic surgery is to restore the form (appearance) and function to a damaged area of the body. 

Plastic surgeons use a variety of techniques to move healthy tissue to an area affected by a birth defect, burn, traumatic injury, tumor, or other condition. Some plastic surgeons may focus on congenital defects (cleft lips), hand trauma, breast reconstruction, as well as cosmetic surgery.

What is Cosmetic Surgery?

Cosmetic Surgery is a combination of nonsurgical and surgical techniques to enhance appearance. Examples include facelifts, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, and Botox or Juvéderm fillers. 

What’s the difference between a Plastic Surgeon vs a Cosmetic Surgeon?

Legally, any physician with a valid medical license can perform cosmetic procedures, regardless of their training. I know, this is unbelievable. However, because of a number of factors - including declining insurance reimbursement and stress of keeping a practice financially secure - many physicians are looking towards elective cash-based procedures to survive.  

Several organizations have established “cliffs notes-type” courses with the goal of training these physicians in the same procedures that I, as a Plastic Surgeon, was trained to due over 6 years in my residency. 

Think about it: an emergency room physician with no surgical training goes to take a 2 week “crash course” on breast augmentation and is now ready to advertise as a cosmetic surgeon. 

And while your OB/GYN is offering you Botox or filler after a weekend training in cosmetic surgery, he or she may not be offering the best treatment, nor be able to handle complications (because OB/GYNs did not have focused training in facial anatomy). Scary, right?

On the flip side, a board-certified plastic surgeon would be able to offer the full scope of cosmetic options and let you know what works best for your body and your desires because we have been specifically trained to do so, without any shortcuts. Expertise cannot be achieved with a quick weekend course.

What does it take to become a board-certified plastic surgeon?

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In order to become a board-certified plastic surgeon, an individual must complete 

1. Four years of medical education and obtain a medical degree (MD or DO) 

2. A minimum of 6 years of accredited surgical residency training with at least 3 years of education dedicated to cosmetic and reconstructive surgery

3. Pass both written and oral examinations. At this point, he/she is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

4. Remain in good ethical standing within their community and the board, as well as routinely participate in continuing medical education (CME) on the latest innovations and abide by up-to-date patient safety recommendations.

What if my doctor says he/she is Board Certified in Cosmetic Surgery?

At this time, there is no formal certification in Cosmetic Surgery and so anyone claiming to be board certified in this area is actually recognized only by a self-created organization (American Board of Cosmetic Surgery) and not an official licensing board by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

In this situation, I encourage you to ask him or her a few more questions.  Ask about his/her background training (what is he really certified in), ask him/her how many of these specific procedures he has performed, and ask him/her how many years he/she has been practicing.  You might be surprised at what he/she says…and even more by what he/she does not.

How do I know if my surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery?

Check online, and if in doubt, as your potential surgeon which board they are certified in. 

How do I find a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon? 

You can easily find a list of local board-certified plastic surgeons by visiting the American Board of Plastic Surgery website.

When meeting with your surgeon, ask which board (i.e. Internal Medicine vs. Plastic Surgery) she or he is certified in

Lastly, If the surgeon routinely does procedures within an office operating room, as them where they have privileges. A reputable hospital will only accredit a board-certified plastic surgeon.

At the end of the day, it’s your body. And when it comes to your time, energy, and money, you should do the proper background research to ensure you are in the best hands. 

Cardi B has been in the media for discussing her breast lift (mastopexy) and liposuction procedures, and more recently her complications with surgical recovery. She’s had to cancel appearances and performances and as a result has received criticism from both the media and her fans.

Let’s discuss fact vs. fiction as it relates to her surgery and recovery.

Claim: She did not need surgery. Working out will fix all problem areas.

 

First off, it’s important to talk to your plastic surgeon about what is achievable with diet and exercise, and what transformation can be accomplished with surgery.

In Cardi B’s case, no amount of working out will address the deflation and descent of her breasts after the birth of her child. The only way to permanently and effectively address this is a breast lift, or mastopexy. In regards to her liposuction, I cannot comment on her diet and exercise regimen, or the area(s) that she had addressed.

Claim: Healing from surgery is quick and easy.

 Surgery is serious business, and it is important to give your body the proper time to heal. Though most women who have liposuction or a breast lift feel “recovered” in terms of pain and soreness within a few days, in reality it takes the body up between 6-12 weeks for swelling to subside and incisions to heal.

Cardi B described leg and ankle swelling that worsened with air travel (very common) and a long, hard recovery process that is now even longer because she returned to perform before her body was ready.

If you are thinking about having plastic surgery, make sure you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in consultation. Ask questions, become educated on your options, and make an informed decision. Surgery is a team effort on the part of the surgeon and the patient to optimize healing and achieve the best results.

For more information or to answer any questions, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.