A common misconception about liposuction is that it is a method for weight loss. In fact, liposuction is a means to contour the shape of the body rather than the removal of a dramatic amount of fat.

A Little Goes A Long Way

While each procedure is different and each person has unique goals for their body, generally speaking, very limited weight loss is achieved during a typical liposuction procedure.

Liposuction is about sculpting the body, not resizing. It may take as little a pound of fat removed to significantly change your shape.

Determine Your Goals

If your primary goal is weight loss, diet and exercise are the most effective methods to achieve that. As a rule of thumb, you should be as close as possible to your ideal weight when undergoing liposuction.

However, if you’re satisfied with your weight and more concerned about the aesthetic appearance of your body, liposuction may be an effective way to achieve your ideal shape. Liposuction is commonly performed at the waist, stomach, upper arms, buttocks and thighs as a means to remove stubborn fat deposits that cannot be removed through traditional means of weight loss.

When considering liposuction, you really don’t need to go in to your consultation with a number of pounds in mind. Instead, help your surgeon understand the change you want to see in your shape. This will be the best way to ensure you’re satisfied with the results of your procedure. You might be surprised at the difference a couple pounds can make!

How Much Is Too Much?

Liposuction is overall a low-risk procedure but removing more extremely high volumes of fat could increase the possibility of complications. BMI (Body Mass Index) can be a determining factor in how much fat can be removed; those who weigh more can safely remove more fat through liposuction.

If your goals require the removal of more fat, the liposuction should be divided with at least 3 to 4 weeks between procedures. Your board-certified Plastic Surgeon is your best resource to determine how much fat you may want removed through liposuction or if multiple procedures will be required.

We offer free consultations about liposuction and other body contouring procedures – call us today to discuss your goals!