Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures carried out in the UK, and the incredible outcomes achieved with the procedure make it easy to understand why. Liposuction targets unwanted fat in areas of the body that have proven resistant to diet and exercise. A significant amount of information about liposuction is available online. However, there is a lot of conflicting information, with patients ending up more confused than before. Here, we discuss some of the common myths about liposuction to help you better understand the procedure.
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MYTH 1 – Liposuction is effective for weight loss
Most people seem to think liposuction is a procedure which is suitable for those who wish to lose a substantial amount of weight. However, this is not the case. Liposuction is more suitable for people who have a smaller amount of excess fat, which they have been unable to lose with a healthy diet and exercise regime. If you have too much body fat and undergo liposuction, you may find you end up with excess skin and will then require a tummy tuck procedure. Therefore, liposuction is only offered to people with smaller areas of resistant fat that they want to be removed. It is essential to be at your goal weight before having liposuction, as this will help maintain the results after surgery. Liposuction should not be considered a primary tool for weight loss. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure to sculpt and contour the body to produce a proportional and balanced result. Plastic surgeons at Centre for Surgery only offer this procedure to patients with a body mass index (BMI) under 30.
MYTH 2 – Liposuction is just for women
Liposuction is becoming increasingly popular with men. However, the areas for treatment may vary for men and women. Women tend to focus on liposuction on the hips and thighs, while men may seek liposuction on the stomach and the neck. Men who have gynecomastia may also wish to undergo liposuction to reduce excess fat in the breasts. If you are a man and are thinking about undergoing liposuction, do not hesitate to book a consultation just because you think other men aren’t having the procedure.
MYTH 3 – Fat cells will move to another area of the body after liposuction
This is false. Fat cannot physically migrate to a different body area after liposuction. During liposuction surgery, the fat cells are physically removed, so they cannot move to another part of the body. In some cases, it may be possible to see areas that have been untreated to look larger than before. This is often due to the slimming down of adjacent areas, such as the waist, which may accentuate the size of the hips. At Centre for Surgery, our expert surgeons will assess you in detail to learn about your expectations to ensure surgery is customised to achieve a natural-looking body contour.
MYTH 4 – It is not possible to gain weight from where fat cells were removed
There is a common misunderstanding that after liposuction, it is impossible to gain weight in the areas where fat is removed. This is not true with liposuction. Although fat cells are physically suctioned out during the procedure, the body eventually produces new fat cells, which means excess weight can be gained in the areas treated with liposuction. This is why it’s essential to maintain a stable weight before having liposuction and supporting it after the procedure. A healthy lifestyle is the key to getting the best results after liposuction to make sure liposuction results are permanent.
MYTH 5 – Older people cannot have liposuction
Despite the common misconception, there is no maximum age limit for liposuction. However, you will still need to be assessed to see if you are a suitable candidate. If your skin lacks firmness and elasticity, you may not be suitable for liposuction or will experience poorer results than younger patients. You will need to attend a consultation to be able to tell whether or not you are suitable for liposuction or a tummy tuck if you have significant skin laxity.
MYTH 6 – Liposuction is a dangerous procedure
Liposuction is a surgical procedure with a very favourable risk profile. However, it is in no way considered to be a dangerous procedure. At Centre for Surgery, we carry out tumescent liposuction under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic. With local anaesthetic, you will be awake throughout the procedure – there is no need for a general anaesthetic. Furthermore, the tumescent liposuction method reduces bleeding risks during the procedure and lowers the risk of side effects afterwards, such as bruising and swelling. Qualified, experienced GMC-registered surgeons undertake our liposuction procedures.
MYTH 7 – Liposuction is a suitable treatment for cellulite
Liposuction can help improve the appearance of cellulite to some extent, but it is not a cure. Cellulite is caused by genetics, hormonal changes, and the underlying structure of the skin and underlying fat. Liposuction can remove excess fat, making cellulite less noticeable, but it cannot change the underlying structure of the skin or the underlying cause of cellulite.
Other treatments, such as massage therapy, topical creams, and laser treatment, may help improve the appearance of cellulite, but the results can vary and are often temporary. CelluTite radiofrequency treatment is considered to be the best option.
If you are concerned about cellulite, it’s important to discuss your options with a plastic surgeon to determine your best course of action.
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MYTH 8 – Liposuction is good for removing large quantities of fat
As previously noted, liposuction is not a suitable procedure for those who are morbidly obese. In fact, the more fat that is removed, the riskier the procedure becomes. At Centre for Surgery, our surgeons will not remove more than 5 litres of fat in one session as per the national best practice guidelines on liposuction. If you require more weight removed, you may be better advised to lose weight first to a safe level. During your consultation, your surgeon will be able to assess your body and see how much fat is appropriate to be taken out and whether or not you are suitable for liposuction.
MYTH 9 – Liposuction will cause loose skin
Liposuction does not cause loose skin, although it is possible to leave it with a degree of stretched-out skin after the procedure, depending on the amount of fat that has been removed. For patients who have mild to moderate skin laxity, it may be better to combine liposuction with BodyTite or a course of Morpheus8 treatments to tighten the skin without the need for invasive skin removal surgery. It can take time for the skin to tighten after surgery, depending on the amount of fat removed. Radiofrequency skin tightening with BodyTite can produce impressive skin tightening effects without the need to have a tummy tuck.
MYTH 10 – Liposuction results are immediate
No cosmetic surgery procedure produces results that are visible immediately. It takes time for the final results to become visible. You should be patient during the recovery process and avoid doing too much too soon. The result you see after liposuction will be different at three months compared with 12 months after surgery. It is important to bear in mind that swelling after liposuction can persist for up to 12 months. This is why giving your body the time it needs to heal and recover is important. In the end, the results achievable with liposuction will make it well worth the wait.
Liposuction Surgery at Centre for Surgery
Centre for Surgery is considered one of the top plastic surgery clinics for liposuction in the UK. Our expert London plastic surgeons carry out hundreds of liposuction and body contouring procedures each year at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call us today on 020 7993 4849 or complete the contact form below. One of our friendly and knowledgeable patient coordinators will be able to give you further information about what the procedure involves and act as your personal point of contact throughout your patient journey with us at Centre for Surgery.
