For years, people have been battling against stubborn fat deposits. These are the chunks of fat that just don’t seem to budge. The unfortunate reality is that a lot of people have fat deposits that won’t shrink.  These are problem areas that won’t even budge when proper exercise and dieting are practiced. In many cases, it’s genetics. Fortunately, there is a solution.

Liposuction is a well-known procedure, and it can be used to remove stubborn fat. The face, buttocks, thighs, abdomen and hips are the most common areas of the body that are treated. It’s important to understand that liposuction is only effective for fat reduction and not cellulite.

The Ideal Candidate

While most people can benefit from the procedure, some people can benefit far more than others. An ideal candidate for the procedure will have realistic expectations of the results. He or she will also have good overall health, elastic, firm skin, concentrated pockets of fat and average to above-average weight.

Unfortunately, people who have poor skin quality aren’t the best candidates for the procedure because they’re far more likely to develop skin irregularities, which are caused by under or overcorrected localized fat deposits. In most cases, age isn’t a factor, but older patients are much more likely to have poorer skin quality, so it’s unlikely that they’ll benefit as much as younger patients.

How It Works

Before you choose to undergo liposuction, there are some things you need to know. The first step consists of arranging an appointment with our surgeon – Dr. Nicholas Tarola. You can discuss the details of the procedure during the consultation. The specifics of the surgery depend on the type of liposuction performed.

In some cases, the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis, but depending on the extent of the surgery, it might need to be performed at a surgical center. When huge amounts of fat are removed, the procedure will be performed in a hospital and will likely require an overnight stay.

Before the procedure, you’re given anesthesia. Depending on the procedure, you could be given general or local anesthesia. After the anesthesia kicks in, a cannula is used. The cannula is a small, stainless-steel instrument, and it’s connected to a suction device.

Small incisions are made into the target areas, and the cannula is inserted to remove excess fat. A large syringe or suction pump are the two main instruments that might be used. The total length of the procedure depends on how much excess fat needs to be removed.

The Major Types of Liposuction

Tumescent is a popular type, but ultrasound-assisted liposuction is also very popular. The ultrasound procedure uses sound waves to liquefy fat while the other procedure uses a special saline solution.

Recovery after Liposuction

When liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis, the recovery is usually fairly quick. In most cases, patients can return to work within days of undergoing the procedure.

Soreness, swelling and bruising are all common side effects of the procedure. The greatest benefit of liposuction is that the excess fat cells are removed permanently, so if you happen to put on weight after the procedure, it won’t accumulate in the areas targeted by the procedure.

You don’t have to deal with stubborn body fat. Contact Tarola Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation. We’ll work with you to determine if liposuction is right for you. We can determine the most effective treatment options for your needs, and customize a plan to help you get the results you want.