Liposuction 10 Years Later

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, and it’s not hard to see why. When you have a few extra pounds on your body that are causing you to feel self-conscious or uncomfortable in your own skin, liposuction can help you get rid of that weight and feel better about yourself. The procedure is also known as body contouring because it allows you to reshape your body in a way that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.

Liposuction 10 years later: what does it look like?

The results from liposuction typically last for at least five years—and sometimes much longer. But what does it look like 10 years later? What happens when the fat comes back? Will you be able to go through liposuction again? And if so, what will it cost you?

These are all important questions for anyone who is considering getting this procedure done. In this article, we’ll answer all of these questions and more so that you understand everything there is to know about liposuction 10 years later, including:

Aftercare tips and recommendations for maintaining good health during recovery time

Right here on Cosmeticsurgerytips, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on liposuction before and after stories, common vaser liposuction misconceptions, long term effects of liposuction, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.

The popularity of plastic surgery procedures continues to increase; in 2017, there were 17.5 million procedures performed, a 2 percent rise over the 2016 total. Within this number, liposuction represents close to a quarter-million instances and a 5 percent rise over the previous year. Following are the 10 most important things to know about this increasingly popular and common plastic surgery procedure.

1. What is traditional liposuction?

Liposuction (also known as liposculpture) is a surgical procedure that breaks down and removes the subcutaneous fat layer (fat just under the skin) in parts of the body that are notoriously and stubbornly resistant to diet and exercise. This is not a weight loss procedure; instead, it is a way to remove a pocket of fat that is not responsive in otherwise healthy individuals.

2. Where is liposuction be performed?

Some common “problem” areas of the body where liposuction is performed includes:

Double Chin
Back of Neck
Bottom of Upper Arms
Female Breasts
Outer Thighs or Saddlebags
Bra Strap Area
Abdomen or Belly Pooch
Muffin Top
Love Handles
Male Breasts

Less common areas include the ankles, inner thigh and upper back. The optimal area for each individual is unique, as each person responds to diet and exercise differently. Qualified plastic surgeons consult with patients to determine the areas of their body where liposuction makes sense.

3. What makes an ideal candidate for the procedure?

The best candidates for liposuction are healthy individuals at or close to their goal weight. They are also nonsmokers.

Ideal patients have stubborn subcutaneous fat, in which fat resides between muscle and skin, and not visceral fat in which the layer of fat resides beneath the muscle layer around the abdominal organs.

Additionally, surgeons will evaluate the condition of a prospective patient’s skin before recommending liposuction. Patients with good skin elasticity are good candidates for liposuction, whereas patients with loose skin or cellulite are not, as these conditions can result in uneven or dimpled skin.

4. Is liposuction a weight loss procedure? How much fat can be removed?

Contrary to popular belief, liposuction is not a weight-loss treatment. Instead, it is a fat reduction procedure. The amount of fat that can be removed in an area during a single procedure will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the surgeon’s assessment of the patient’s health and his or her aesthetic goals.

5. How does a patient prepare for liposuction surgery?

Plastic Surgeons will provide instructions for the days leading up to liposuction, but in general, it is most important to enlist a supportive friend or family member that can help drive to and from the surgical center and assist with postsurgical care. Certain medications like aspirin and blood thinners may need to be paused before the procedure. In some cases, blood work is done ahead of time to ensure that the client is a good candidate for anesthesia. Finally, the day of surgery, there will be a period where no food or drink should be taken; this is typically about 12 hours before the appointment time.

7. What happens during the procedure? How is it performed?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves making small incisions in the skin and inserting a tool called a cannula into the fat pocket. This cannula is attached to a suction device or a syringe to extract the fat.

This is typically an outpatient surgery, so while patients may be put under general anesthesia they are often allowed to go home the same day as the surgery.

8. What is the recovery like?

In most procedures, the patient can return to work in a few days and resume all normal activities, like exercise, within 2-4 weeks or less, though recovery and postsurgical care varies depending on the area treated and the amount of fat removed.

Following instructions is the best way to have a recovery that is short and as painless as possible. Some discomfort may be felt. However, lifestyle choices like rest, hydration and not smoking will make healing time faster and complications fewer. The most common postsurgical effects can include some swelling, bruising and tenderness in the area of the procedure. The surgical team will offer some options on pain relief after surgery as well as a list of pain relievers to avoid.

Common postsurgical instructions also include wearing compression garments in the areas that were treated. Modified activities may be recommended for a few weeks afterward to reduce strain on the target areas.

9. What sort of scarring is expected after the procedure?

The cannula is a small instrument, and because of this, the scars are small as well. The number of scars is based on the number of insertion points needed to address the area. Scarring also varies depending on the patient’s skin quality. Surgeons will discuss location and the ways in which they can minimize the appearance of scarring.

10. What kind of results should a patient expect after the procedure?

Plastic Surgeons can help you anticipate and visualize realistic results. Immediately after surgery, there will be some swelling and the skin may be loose. Because of this it can take several weeks to months to see the full extent of the results of the procedure.

The fat cells removed during liposuction are permanently removed. It is important to note, however, that patients can still gain new fat cells, so following a healthy diet, lifestyle and exercise plan after treatment can help prevent new fat gain.

10 questions to ask the surgeon

When choosing a plastic surgeon for this procedure there are at least ten important questions to ask that will help you determine whether they are a good fit for helping you reach your aesthetic goals:

Are you board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? Board-certified plastic surgeons have demonstrated knowledge and experience in a number of plastic surgery procedures, and have met stringent standards to attain certification.
How much experience do you have with liposuction? Asking how many procedures they have done and on what areas of the body can help you to understand a surgeon’s knowledge level.
What kinds of results can I expect? It can take several weeks for the swelling to resolve, the skin to tighten and the full extent of the results to be seen. The surgeon can help guide you through this process.
What is the surgery and recovery time? This will vary based on the amount of fat being removed, the target area and the number of areas in the body that are being treated.
Are before and after photos of similar procedures available to see? Reviewing the surgeon’s past work on similar patients and body areas can help patients get a realistic feel for the surgeon’s work and results.
What is the scheduling time before surgery? Some surgeons may be booked out for months, while others may have openings next week. Patients looking to complete their surgery and recovery for an upcoming event will want to consider the surgeon’s availability.
What are costs and is financing available? Costs vary by patient and by region. Understanding affordability and available payment options can better help patients plan and budget for liposuction.
What kind of postsurgical care is involved for the target area? In many cases, compression garments and reduced use are all it takes to make things better. However, if more or special care is required patients can make or plan for special arrangements to be able to heal optimally.
Can liposuction be combined with other plastic surgeries to better meet goals? Sometimes, targeting fat alone is not enough to get desired results. Combining liposuction with other procedures is now safer and much more commonplace. In mommy makeovers, for example, liposuction may be combined with a tummy tuck to reduce abdominal stretching and better return the body to its former or more ideal shape.
What kind of follow-up is required with after this procedure? Some surgeons may require a post-surgery visit to evaluate and confirm that everything is healing on schedule and properly, while others may require multiple follow-up visits as a part of aftercare.

As more people commit themselves to a healthy lifestyle and seek ways to reach their ideal, liposuction presents an often excellent and cost-effective path to achieving these goals. Better understanding this popular procedure can help patients get the best possible treatment and care.

Liposuction Before And After Stories

What’s the one thing about your body that frustrates you?

For some, it’s, “having no butt!”. For others, it’s saggy breasts. Plenty of people have areas where those stubborn pockets of fat just won’t go away. We’re talking about love handles, muffin tops, bra rolls, and thigh fat.

For men, it’s often the extra fat in the chest area.

The wonderful news is that you can get the body shape you want, despite the stubbornness of some fat deposits in the body, through liposuction.

With a number of liposuction treatments to choose from, feeling overwhelmed about which might be best for you is not uncommon. At 77 Plastic Surgery, we encourage everyone considering liposuction to discern facts from misinformation before deciding on treatment.

To help you get started, we’ve come up with a few liposuction before-and-after stories that you can learn from. The more diligent research you do before the procedure, the greater the likelihood of getting the most stunning outcomes possible!

5 Impressive Liposuction Results to Learn From – With Before and After Photos

Reviewing before-and-after photos is a good starting point to help narrow down the type of liposuction you need. It also makes sense if you review stories and photographs of patients that have the same (or as close as possible) age, gender, ethnicity, and body measurements.

We hope that these stories from actual patients at our practice in San Francisco will help make liposuction less confusing and help inspire the results you’ve envisioned for yourself!

Case Study #1: Miss P’s Abdominal Liposuction

Even right after, I could see a significant difference. And the result has only gotten better over time. I wish everyone who struggles with their body image could do this!

Patient Age: 29
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: East Indian
Height: 5’4″
Weight: 120 lbs

On her first visit at our practice, Miss P already knew what she wanted from liposuction. She wasn’t seeking a complete overhaul, she simply wanted to look better when wearing a fitted dress. Yet, her bulging belly was getting in the way.

After careful assessment of her existing body frame and evaluating her goals, Dr. Fan performed liposuction on Miss P’s abdomen, waist, and bra rolls. In Miss P’s case, it was the skill and experience of Dr. Fan that mattered the most in helping her accomplish dramatic, spectacular results.

Case Study # 2: Mr. M’s Liposuction After Massive Weight Loss

I lost 50 pounds prior to my procedure but couldn’t lose any more weight. I decided to get lipo to help look even slimmer. I’m very happy with my decision. I may not look perfect, but I look and feel great!

Patient Age: 32
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Middle Eastern
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 225 lbs

Mr. P had been toying with the idea of liposuction after losing a great deal of body weight through diet and exercise. For him, liposuction was the best solution for the flabby stomach he still had after massive weight loss.

Following his face-to-face consultation with Dr. Fan, we encouraged Mr. P to have both liposuction and a tummy tuck to address his concerns. Mr. P, however, declined the tummy tuck idea but was keen to have liposuction. We later explained to him that Dr. Fan could perform the liposuction, but his issue with excess abdominal skin could not be remedied with liposuction alone. He was okay with that, and 4,800cc of fat was removed from his abdomen and surrounding flanks.

From this case study, it is worth noting that liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, excess body weight, or loose skin after weight loss.

Case Study # 3: Miss F’s Neck Liposuction

Droopy necks run in my family. I’m very happy that I was able to get rid of the family trait!

Patient Age: 29
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Height: 5’4″
Weight: 130 lbs

Miss F initially scheduled a consultation with Dr. Fan because she was frustrated with her sagging neck and jawline that seemed to run in her family.

Despite Miss F’s diligent anti-aging routine, nothing was working when it came to slowing down the appearance of fat on the bottom part of her face. While she may have lost the genetic lottery in terms of neck fat accumulation, Miss F’s saving grace was the good skin elasticity she had in the neck area. This made her a good candidate for neck liposuction.

After the procedure, Miss F came back to us for her follow-up consultation and was extremely pleased with the natural-looking outcomes.

Case Study # 4: Miss B’s Ankle Liposuction

I’ve always had nice legs, but my ankles always bothered me. Dr. Fan’s delicate skill helped me feel less self-conscious about my thick ankles.

There was only one thing that Miss B, a healthy and fit 24-year old, wanted to change in her body— her thick ankles.

She was having a hard time finding a surgeon with the right skill and technical precision to perform liposuction in the area. Apart from the fact that the lower legs don’t have deep fat compartments, this type of procedure is trickier to perform because the area behind the knee houses blood vessels and nerves that are prone to nerve injury.

After careful planning with Dr. Fan, Miss B underwent liposuction of the ankles and calves while awake under local anesthesia. A total of 400cc of fat was removed.

It’s also worth noting that careful patient selection by the surgeon is a must in ankle liposuction. Not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure.

Case Study # 5: Miss L’s Liposuction with Brazillian Butt Lift

I was tired of my flat Asian butt. Now I feel so sexy. Thank you, Dr. Fan!

Miss L initially wanted to have a larger, fuller butt. After careful assessment and discussion of the pros and cons of different buttock enhancement procedures with Dr. Fan, Miss L decided on a Brazilian butt lift.

Excess fat was harvested from her waistline through liposuction, meticulously processed, and reinjected to her buttocks. If you’re like Miss L who wants to hit two birds with one stone, you can reshape your body not just with fat transfer for butt enhancement but also with liposuction.

How to Get the Same Stellar Liposuction Results

To attain stunning and natural results from liposuction, it’s important to pin down the specific issues that you want to address. A face-to-face consultation, complemented with research on your end, is an excellent starting point.

Also, you have to understand that the best liposuction results are accomplished when your fat deposits are localized, you are within normal body weight, and have good skin elasticity in your areas of concern. Often, poor skin elasticity will result in unsatisfactory outcomes.

You should also make an effort to stick to a healthy diet and an exercise regimen before and after your surgery. This will boost the aesthetics and longevity of your liposuction results.