Plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancements having made a major impression on the U.S population. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, minimally invasive cosmetic surgeries have increased 200 percent in the last 19 years. Specifically, liposuction was the second-most popular surgery, amounting to 246,354 procedures in 2017.
But even with the popularity surrounding this weight reduction option, there are still plenty of misconceptions casting liposuction in a poor light.
Here are a few of the most common myths about the well-known surgery, debunked:
1. Liposuction is for anyone who wants to lose weight
Just because you have a lot of weight to lose doesn’t mean you should go under the knife, according to dermatologic surgeon Jennifer Reichel.
“Liposuction is not considered a way to lose weight,” Reichel told RealSelf magazine. “Most patients lose only about two to five pounds. I always talk to my patients at the consultation about ideal weight, what weight they are at now, expectations, and individual results. Sometimes, we have to work out an initial weight loss program, and then revisit the idea of liposuction in a few months.”
“The perfect person for liposuction can’t lose excess weigh on his or her own.”
The perfect person for liposuction is someone who exercises and is at a stable weight but wants to get rid of stubborn fat deposits that can’t be lost on his or her own.
2. Liposuction is the permanent fix for cellulite
First and foremost, liposuction cannot get rid of cellulite, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. What it does is remove fat cells, but you can’t expect the results to last indefinitely. There are a various factors that can alter your results after having liposuction, such as pregnancy, the natural aging process and even the simplicity of gaining the weight back on. Remember: liposuction is the removal of fat cells, but it doesn’t necessarily remove all of those cells. That means the others left behind have the ability to increase.
3. Liposuction is the only procedure I’ll need to get back in shape
The truth is that while liposuction will get rid of the excess pounds you were carrying around, it won’t get rid of the extra skin that stretched out. It’s important to remember this before going under the knife – if your skin has good elasticity, you shouldn’t have an issue. Otherwise, you might want to consider scheduling a surgery for excess skin removal or tightening when all is said and done.
4. Liposuction is only for young people
There’s no age limit when it comes to this surgery. According to the ASPS, liposuction may be less common for older adults because of the lost firmness and elasticity in the skin, but that doesn’t apply to every older adult. As long as you are in good health and can pass a medical examination, you can be considered for liposuction.
Visit Maryland Plastic Surgery for liposuction
If you’ve been thinking about getting liposuction for quite some time now, don’t let these common myths scare you away from achieving your goals. At Maryland Plastic Surgery, you can link up with one of our surgeons to discuss liposuction, or perhaps another option that can help you feel more comfortable in your own skin.
For more information – or if you’re ready to schedule your consultation – contact us directly today.
