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Busting Some Common Myths About Liposuction
Liposuction is a popular surgical body contouring method, using tiny incisions and a cannula to break up and remove stubborn fat cells from areas like the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and upper arms. Although liposuction is highly popular, there are still some misconceptions surrounding treatment. Here are some of the most common liposuction myths explained.
Although the procedure may aid the reduction of belly fat, it is not necessarily aimed at that. Liposuction only removes subcutaneous fat situated in between the skin and the muscle. Only a healthy diet and regular workouts can curb belly fat.
This is quite far from the truth. The surgical procedure is for both men and women. Men commonly choose to have liposuction on the chest to improve gynecomastia, the abdomen to define the muscles, and the flanks.
Remember, liposuction is a surgical procedure. That means it has a recovery process. Its after-effects include soreness around the areas treated, bruises, and some swelling but they all disappear after a few days to a few weeks. It takes about four to six weeks for a patient to recover fully.
The procedure is not for weight loss. While a patient may notice a little loss in weight after the procedure, it takes a healthy lifestyle and serious exercises to lose weight and stay in shape.
Fortunately, fat removed during liposuction is gone for good. However, untreated areas of the body are still susceptible to weight gain, which could distort your results. So, if you don’t maintain a good lifestyle, there could be another fat deposit soon after the procedure. An unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle will take you back to square one in no time.
Fat deposit is not the only cause of lax skin. Dropped elasticity and sagging skin are more common culprits. In fact, in many cases, the three contribute to lax skin. In such cases, liposuction alone will not fix the problem. You have to undergo a skin tightening procedure instead.
Again, this one is also a yes and no. Like with any surgical procedure, it is dangerous because it has a little bit of risk. On the other hand, if it is done by a highly experienced and board-certified surgeon, its chances of success will be close to 100%. In addition, you also have to follow the pre and post-surgery instructions to the letter to make it even safer.
One surgeon that is highly experienced in the procedure is Dr. Fichadia. She is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and she has been practicing for several years.
Truth being said, this is partially true. You have to exhibit some signs of good health before you are allowed to undergo the procedure. Unfortunately, one out of every three old people in the United States suffers from at least one medical condition. So, maybe that is why it seems that many of them are not eligible for the surgery.
No, it doesn’t. Cellulite is deeper than the subcutaneous fat that liposuction removes. It removes only the soft and fatty tissue and not the fibrous bands causing cellulite.
To learn more about liposuction and how you can benefit, contact our office, located in Portland, OR, and schedule your consultation with Dr. Fichadia today.
Dr. Fichadia is a double board-certified, comprehensively trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She completed general surgical training at St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, an affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, and subsequently completed a highly competitive plastic surgery program at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She has presented research from her time in Boston and Portland at national and international surgical meetings such as Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons and annual meeting of American Society of Plastic Surgery.
