Liposuction is an effective way of removing excess fat from the body, but sometimes it’s not meant to be the best solution in certain circumstances. We see someone who’s had a successful liposuction and forget that things could have gone wrong. Some of us get stuck in what we think and believes to be the truth. And while that may be the case, what we know is not always the truth. The following are some of the common misconceptions about liposuction.
All the fat that was removed will not return
Technically, this is both true and misleading. Well, the fat that is disposed post op in canisters or whatever your surgeon uses cannot return. However, there is always a chance that the remaining fat cells will swell even after the procedure. There is also the possibility of new fat cells forming. This is not farfetched as stem cells in the adipose tissue have the ability to grow into any kind of cells. In case the body regains fat, it starts developing in the back, belly and arms. With time, the fat also grows on the feet.
Lipedema can be cured with liposuction
Despite common belief among patients, this statement is by no means backed up by medical research. Liposuction is not a cure for lipedema, and will never be. It only facilitates extraction of fat from the body, nothing more and certainly nothing less. All that is medically proven is that the condition is partly genetic, responding to hormones and partly lifestyle oriented.
You won’t have to wear a compression after liposuction
Well, this remains to be seen. Fact is, if you need compression before the surgery, chances are you will need it after the procedure. It really is a “time will tell” kind of thing. Most people will only need light compression, and there are those who will be lucky enough to not need compression at all. Thankfully, compression is not needed for the rest of one’s life, just for the first few weeks after liposuction.
Liposuction will definitely provide cosmetic improvement
It takes a lot of work, time and skill to work on a plump person. There’s only so much fat that liposuction can help extract. And even then, the results are sometimes unpredictable. The surgery on one part of the body may make other parts look bigger, hence un-proportional. On the other hand, the surgery may get the proportions right. It all depends on the patient. So can it provide cosmetic improvement? Like we said, it depends.
Liposuction is a great procedure for someone who would want to achieve cosmetic improvement such as removing targeted fat and removing stretch marks. Like most medical procedures, it is really a matter of the patient’s unique circumstances. However, it doesn’t mean that people should completely dismiss traditional alternatives such as exercising and eating a good diet. It also doesn’t mean that it’s for everyone.
Remember, if you decide to go through with it, you have to come up with a lifestyle plan that you can stick to. You can get a lot out of the procedure, but you also need to understand how you can get better results by living a healthy lifestyle after the surgery.
This article was not written by Dr. Robert S. Fischer M.D and may not represent his views. To talk to Dr. Robert S. Fischer M.D. please contact the office directly.
