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True or False? Debunking Common Myths About Liposuction

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The amount of information about cosmetic surgery available today can be both a gift and a curse. There is no denying that the Internet can be a fantastic resource for prospective plastic surgery patients who want to learn more about how their respective procedure can help. However, it can be difficult to differentiate trustworthy information from something that is just plain wrong. This is especially true for a common cosmetic surgery topic like liposuction due to how much info there is about it online. So, to set the record straight, I wanted to discuss a few common misconceptions about liposuction to help patients understand what is true and what is false.

True or False Debunking Common Myths About LiposuctionMyth #1: Liposuction is a Type of Weight Loss Surgery

This is probably the most common misconception about liposuction. Liposuction is NOT a weight loss surgery. Patients who expect liposuction to help them lose a considerable amount of weight will almost certainly come away from their procedure disappointed. The total amount of fat removed during liposuction will not ultimately weigh very much. This is why I advise patients to reach their ideal weight before undergoing liposuction.

Myth #2: A Compression Garment Can Help During Liposuction Recovery

This one is true. I recommend for liposuction patients to wear a compression garment on their treated area after their procedure. Compression garments can help minimize swelling after liposuction and speed up the recovery process. Additionally, wearing a compression garment can help shape and smooth the treated area after surgery, allowing your final liposuction results to reveal themselves in less time.

Myth #3: Liposuction Can Help Tighten Your Skin

This is unfortunately false. Liposuction is ideal for removing excess fat but will not be able to tighten the skin. This means that the degree of skin laxity (or looseness) you experience before liposuction will be the same after your surgery. Other body contouring procedures like tummy tuck surgery, thigh lifts, and arm lifts can help remove the loose, excess skin that causes sagging. These procedures can be safely paired with liposuction in many cases.

Knowledge can be a powerful tool in the world of cosmetic surgery. After more than three decades performing cosmetic procedures, I’m always happy to share what I have learned to help ensure that every patient has the best experience possible with their plastic surgery procedure. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, at Atlanta Plastic Surgery today. You can follow me on Facebook and Twitter for additional cosmetic surgery questions, tips, videos, and more.

What Happens During Liposuction?

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Liposuction, one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, reshapes areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits. The desire for shapely contour and a more equally proportionate appearance often encourages patients to seek treatment on stubborn fat pockets on the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, and even places as small as the ankles and inner knee. Addressing these seemingly insignificant areas of fat can enhance the self-image of the patient, an imperative objective of cosmetic surgery for board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott.

liposuction-atlanta-alpharetta-gaCommonly, people inquire as to how liposuction works. While techniques vary from surgeon to surgeon, Dr. Elliott prefers the tumescent liposuction method using a solution of local anesthetic and saline and a small micro-cannula that allows for smaller incisions. When the cannula is inserted into the layer of fat beneath the skin and above the muscle, the fat cells are suctioned out safely and efficiently. By utilizing this technique, Dr. Elliott minimizes the risk of surgical complications in order to achieve a new, more contoured aesthetic. There are other methods of liposuction, such as laser assisted or power assisted, but these techniques have not been shown to be more effective or have less complications or recovery time. However, they are more expensive and are heavily marketed.

Dr. Elliott likes to remind patients that liposuction is not a solution for weight loss. Gaining weight after liposuction is just as possible as it can be before liposuction: Eating more calories than you burn can cause weight gain, as can lack of physical activity. However, if weight gain occurs after liposuction, fat cells will generally increase in another area of the body rather than the areas where liposuction was performed.  Despite fat cells being removed from the liposuctioned area, it is important to remain conscious of healthy living and maintain a healthy weight. Depending on skin elasticity, which often decreases as age increases, skin should shrink back to the size following the procedure.

If you are interested in liposuction or other body contouring services, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation. Connect with Dr. Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for the latest cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery news and information.

Liposuction is Popular Body Contouring Procedure for Men and Women

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It’s important for all individuals to maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise for their overall wellness.  Even with regular physical activity and a healthy diet, stubborn fat may not respond in areas such as the abdomen, arms, thighs, and waist.  Liposuction is a body contouring surgery that can remove localized fat deposits. According to the most recent report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, liposuction is the third most popular cosmetic procedure for both men and women.liposuction in atlanta ga

Dr. Franklyn Elliott has been performing liposuction since its invention in the 1980s and has found that the best results are with healthy patients wanting to remove smaller, non-responsive fat pockets. Dr. Elliott removes the unwanted fat by making small incisions to suction fat through cannulas (tiny metal tubes) to contour and rejuvenate a patient’s profile.

Dr. Elliott emphasizes to all of his patients that liposuction is not a weight loss treatment and does not replace a healthy lifestyle. During a liposuction consultation, Dr. Elliott will discuss your aesthetic goals and realistic results.  Patients who have lost an extreme amount of weight or had post-bariatric surgery may benefit from another body contouring procedure like a tummy tuck or body lift surgery to remove and tighten excessive skin and tissue, which liposuction does not do.

If you are interested in liposuction or other body contouring services, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation. Connect with Dr Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for the latest cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery news and information.