Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maia Plastic Surgery
In 2022, Liposuction was the most popular post-pandemic plastic surgery procedure. According to the Inaugural ASPS Insights and Trends Report, patients sought liposuction more than any other plastic surgery procedure in 2021-22. With people working from home and getting out less, we saw a rise in weight gain in the United States. While liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, one should recognize that it can go a long way to improve a patient's body contours when they are close to their ideal weight and struggle with stubborn pockets of diet and exercise-resistant fat. This increasingly popular treatment is one of my favorite procedures because it reshapes body contours, allowing individuals to embrace their desired aesthetic with renewed confidence. These benefits have captivated a growing number of people, as liposuction emerges as a go-to solution for those seeking lasting transformation and enhanced self-image.
Tips for Long-Term Maintenance
The results of liposuction can vary in terms of longevity based on individual factors such as body composition, lifestyle choices, and the natural aging process. Typically, liposuction can provide lifetime results as long as the patient maintains a stable weight.
While liposuction isn’t a weight loss procedure, it is a procedure that can—and for my liposuction patients often does—lead to future weight loss. Seeing the results of liposuction is often a great motivator to eat healthy and exercise. Liposuction can have a profound impact on your confidence and overall well-being. By removing excess fat, you'll notice a positive change in how your clothes fit, giving you a boost of confidence at the gym and beach. With clearer definition in your muscles, you may see the results of your workouts more quickly. These transformations often inspire patients to improve their diet and exercise habits, leading to potential weight loss. Liposuction can be the motivating trigger that jumpstarts your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.
Pre- and Post-Procedure Lifestyle Changes to Enhance Results
Prior to undergoing liposuction, the patient will have a pre-op appointment with me, and there I will come up with a personalized plan based on their specific needs. Depending on the case, I may suggest lifestyle changes, such as modifications to the patient’s exercise routine and dietary habits, to enhance the results of the procedure and support their overall well-being. As with all procedures, the patient will need to stop any supplements or blood thinning medications 2 weeks prior to the surgery.
After undergoing the procedure, it is crucial to prioritize your recovery in the early postoperative period. Vigorous exercise should be avoided during this time. Instead, I suggest focusing on walking as much as possible. Walking not only aids in preventing complications like blood clots, but also promotes a quicker return to normalcy. Once you have fully healed, you will be cleared to resume your regular exercise routine. 4-6 weeks after the procedure, regular exercise is an important aspect of maintaining your liposuction results.
While liposuction can greatly enhance your body contours, it is not a miraculous or instant fix for weight gain. You may still experience weight gain in other areas of your body even after undergoing liposuction. As I mentioned early, I find more often than not, my liposuction patients are more motivated to live a healthier lifestyle and protect their investments. By incorporating regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and embracing a wholesome lifestyle, you can optimize the outcomes of liposuction and enjoy a rejuvenated body.
Liposuction Limitations
While liposuction is highly effective for fat reduction, it does have limitations. Liposuction is best suited for targeting localized, stubborn fat deposits. It’s not recommended for weight loss.
It’s important to understand that liposuction alone will not treat sagging skin. There are a few areas where skin laxity can be present and excisional skin procedures (removal of skin) might be necessary. For example, the abdomen can have excess skin after pregnancies and weight loss. In this case, a tummy tuck procedure can be performed in combination with liposuction. Inner thighs and upper arms are other common areas where liposuction is often combined with skin removal.
In addition, liposuction is generally most effective in removing subcutaneous fat, which is fat located beneath the skin. However, it doesn’t treat visceral fat. Visceral fat is typically not accessible through liposuction and may require other approaches such as diet and exercise.
Alternative Non-Surgical Treatments
You might have heard of certain non-invasive treatments that freeze the fat and eliminates it over time. However, some of these treatments have been associated with negative side effects. At Maia Plastic Surgery, we prioritize patient safety and satisfaction, which is why we do not offer this due to these concerns. In fact, I’ve had several patients come in for liposuction to correct a side effect of CoolSculpting called Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH), which causes abnormal growth of fat cells in the area treated by the device.
View this post on Instagram
Instead, we provide an alternative, FDA-approved fat-burning, and muscle-building machine, EmSculpt Neo. EmSculpt Neo is a completely non-invasive treatment system that uses radiofrequency (RF) and high-intensity electromagnetic (HIFEM) energies. With the applicators applied to the target areas, the RF energies bring the temperature of the fat and muscle up by several degrees. This temperature is tightly controlled and similar to a hot stone massage. The temperature is the exact range to destroy fat cells but does not harm other tissues. The destroyed fat cells are eliminated through your natural body processes.
Non-surgical fat reduction, while offering potential benefits, involves a gradual process that unfolds over several weeks or months. It's important to understand that we recommend 4 or more EmSculpt sessions.
Non-surgical fat reduction does not typically yield immediate, drastic transformations like surgical liposuction does. Furthermore, it may not be suitable for individuals who require the removal of large sections of fat. At your consultation at Maia Plastic Surgery, we will evaluate your specific needs and goals, and recommend the most suitable treatment option to achieve optimal results safely and effectively.
Exploring Liposuction Techniques
At Maia Plastic Surgery, we offer a couple of different liposuction techniques for targeted fat reduction. BodyTite utilizes radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis to target excess fat and tighten the skin simultaneously. BodyTite is suitable for larger body areas, including the abdomen, thighs, and arms.
There are patients who are good candidates for a tummy tuck but would like to avoid the scars. A combination of liposuction and BodyTite allowed for contoured results with minimal scarring. For example, the patient below is a 38-year-old mother of two who enhanced her 360 liposuction results by using BodyTite on her abdomen to target more fat-burning and skin-tightening.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maia Plastic SurgeryAt our clinic, I perform tumescent liposuction under local anesthesia to areas like the neck, arms, and legs depending on the case. For targeted fat reduction, tumescent liposuction can be beneficial for patients who want to avoid general anesthesia during their procedure. Each area of liposuction requires a small incision through which a cannula is inserted to remove excess fat.
For liposuction of the neck, a small incision is made inconspicuously below the chin and behind the ears. This has become an increasingly popular procedure after the pandemic. The prevalence of video conferences and virtual meetings has made individuals more conscious of the appearance of their face and neck. Neck liposuction can help contour and sculpt the neck area, providing a more defined and youthful appearance.
For the arms, there are two options for incisions: In cases where the lower part of the upper arm carries a predominant amount of fat, an incision made at the elbow proves to be highly effective. Alternatively, if the excess fat is primarily located in the upper portion, opting for an armpit incision may be the most suitable choice. There may be situations where fat distribution is relatively balanced throughout the area, so both incisions might be necessary. These incisions are quite small and inconspicuous, attracting minimal attention, and we have a scar protocol that helps minimize any scarring over time.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maia Plastic Surgery
For larger areas like the abdomen, flanks, back, or legs, general anesthesia may be required. I use various techniques such as tumescent liposuction or ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL). Liposuction of these areas are often combined with other surgical procedures like a Tummy Tuck or Brazilian Butt Lift, which offers the advantage of addressing multiple areas of concern in a single surgical session.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maia Plastic Surgery
For more information, visit Dr. Munique Maia's social media:
