Liposuction – What the Procedure Can and Cannot Do

Today, there are a variety of cosmetic surgical procedures we can choose from to enhance our appearance. Liposuction, also known as “lipo”, has been one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States for many years, and its popularity continues to increase. According to 2023 ASPS Procedural Statistics, it was the most in-demand plastic surgery procedure in 2023, with almost 350,000 procedures performed, up 7 percent from 2022. Smartlipo laser liposuction in NYC is a popular option that contours your body without invasive surgery.

However, many people get lipo without fully understanding what exactly the treatment can and cannot do. Like all cosmetic surgical procedures, liposuction offers numerous benefits, but has its limitations too. Understanding the benefits and limitations of liposuction is crucial if you are considering the procedure.

What Liposuction Can Do

• Permanently removes unwanted fat pockets: Liposuction in New York City can permanently remove localized fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. It can improve the shape and contour of areas such as the abdomen, thighs, arms, and neck. Leading a healthy lifestyle and staying at a stable weight can help you preserve your results.
• Can be performed on both men and women: Both men and women benefit from this body sculpting treatment Each gender may have different areas of concern, but the procedure can be customized to meet the specific needs and aesthetic goals of each patient. For instance, while high definition laser liposuction can provide men with a lean, muscular looking torso, it can help women achieve an ideal feminine silhouette by defining the body’s curves.
• Sculpts the body and creates curves: In addition to its ability to remove stubborn fat pockets, liposuction can sculpt the body. Women who wish to retain the voluminous appearance of their buttocks, for example, can opt to slim down their waist, resulting in an hourglass figure. Expert surgeons can provide customized treatment to help you achieve your specific goals.
• Supports spot reduction: Exercise often fails when it comes to losing fat in particular areas of the body such as the arms, stomach, and thighs. Lipo can directly target localized fat deposits and address concerns such as love handles, bra bulges, bat wings, and other stubborn fat pockets almost anywhere on the body.
• Can be performed using local anesthesia: Compared to traditional surgical methods that require general anesthesia, laser liposuction in NYC is a minimally invasive procedure that is typically performed using local anesthesia. Patients can return home the same day. Today, most patients prefer to have their procedure done under local anesthesia because of its safety and shorter downtime and recovery period. However, ultimately, the choice of anestheisa method depends on your surgeon’s preferences and the extent of the area being treated.
• Provides an instant reduction in body fat: While dieting and exercise can be ineffective and time-consuming, lipo produces immediate fat reduction by removing fat cells from targeted areas. Once complete, the patient has fewer fat cells in the treated region. However, the visual outcome isn’t instant due to natural inflammation and swelling that follow the procedure. The new, leaner contours become visible when healing is complete.
• Leaves minimal or no scars: While surgical procedures leave noticeable scars, laser liposuction needs only tiny incisions to remove the excess fat, so that scarring is minimal.

What Liposuction Cannot Do

• Cannot help you lose weight: Liposuction is not a weight loss solution but a body contouring procedure. It removes stubborn fat deposits and reshapes the body. Lipo can only help those who close to their ideal weight and could not lose the last few pounds through diet and exercise.
• Cannot resolve stretch marks, dimpling, cellulite, or other skin surface irregularities: Liposuction can help reduce the amount of fat pushing out against the skin, but it does nothing for stretch marks, dimpling, cellulite, or other skin surface irregularities.
• Traditional techniques leave loose skin: Traditional liposuction can eliminate those excess fat cells that are unresponsive to diet and exercise but could leave you with saggy skin and prevent you from achieving your body contouring goals. While laser liposuction removes fat and also tightens the skin, having good skin elasticity is important for optimal results.

If you are considering laser liposuction in NYC, understanding these capabilities and limitations can help you make an informed decision.