A common misconception is that liposuction helps people lose weight. While minor weight loss may occur, it is important to distinguish between liposuction and weight loss surgery. Here, we’ll discuss the differences between weight loss surgery and body contouring surgery and highlight what can be achieved with liposuction.
Liposuction and Weight Loss
It’s no secret that losing weight can be challenging. For many people, a slender figure with defined contours is the ideal body—yet this image can be difficult to achieve. Some people may turn to liposuction as a solution, yet it is important to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Liposuction is actually a body contouring surgery that removes stubborn fat deposits and sculpts your figure.
Body Contouring Surgery vs. Weight Loss Surgery
To understand why liposuction is not a weight loss surgery, it’s important to know the differences between body contouring and weight loss procedures. Body contouring surgery is cosmetic and aims to improve a patient’s physical appearance, often by removing excess skin and stubborn fat. However, it’s essential to note that liposuction only removes fat and not excess skin like other body contouring procedures do.
Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, differs since it focuses on improving the patient’s health by making adjustments to the digestive system, allowing the patient to lose weight. Body contouring surgery may alter the patient’s skin, underlying tissues, and fat deposits, while weight loss surgery alters the size of the stomach and makes changes to the digestive system.
There’s a popular misconception that liposuction is a method for weight loss. This is ultimately not true, as the procedure aims to sculpt and enhance the natural body contours. In fact, to be considered a good candidate for liposuction, you must be already at or near your goal weight.
People who undergo weight loss surgery often seek out body contouring procedures once they’re fully recovered and at a stable weight. This is because, after significant weight loss, many people are left with excess skin that droops and hangs over their bodies.
How Much Weight Can You Lose With Liposuction?
While liposuction should not be viewed as a weight loss procedure, patients may experience a slight change in their weight after surgery. This happens due to the excess fat removed during liposuction. However, patients shouldn’t expect a significant amount of weight loss after liposuction. The removed fat may result in around 5–10 pounds being lost but that is never guaranteed.
During a consultation, your liposuction surgeon will ask you about your areas of concern and desired results. Your surgeon will discuss what is possible with liposuction and if your goals can be achieved with the procedure.
What Do Liposuction Results Look Like?
Liposuction results will vary from patient to patient, depending on the treatment areas and body types. In general, patients can expect to have smoother, slimmer, and firmer body contours in their selected treatment areas. Liposuction is designed to provide long-lasting body contouring results that can be enjoyed for many years as long as the patient maintains a stable weight.
Have More Questions About Liposuction in Phoenix, AZ?
Are you at or near your goal weight and ready to sculpt your ideal body contours? To get started on your transformative liposuction experience, contact Dr. Jennifer Boll’s office today. Call us at (480) 833-5200 or fill out our online contact form.