As the holidays approach so does the temptation to enjoy all of the wonderful treats they have to offer. From the turkey and pumpkin pie of Thanksgiving to the large family feasts of Christmas, New Years and Hanukah, it is hard to resist home cooking and office dinner and cocktail parties.
What can be done is we can get rid of a few extra pounds after the holidays! As is the case all year round, the key is balancing proportions and to try not to overeat. The second is keeping the pounds off with a little exercise sprinkled in between the holiday treats. Of course when these pounds do not seem to want to leave and you are holding your weight beyond the holidays, liposuction becomes a viable alternative. Although liposuction is not intended for weight loss, it is very effective in giving people the appearance that they have lost a great deal of weight. Liposuction is intended to target those troubled areas that we cannot seem to lose through diet and exercise. In women this area is typically in the thighs (saddlebags) or around the abdomen. In men it is more likely to be in the waist (spare tire) and abdomen. Although maybe only 5 lbs. of actual weight may be removed with liposuction (fat floats because it is not very dense or heavy) it can give the appearance of 20 lbs. of weight loss. Because the waistline is often targeted, it is not unusual that patients may go down several clothing sizes after liposuction!
Although liposuction is not intended for weight loss, it is very effective in giving people the appearance that they have lost a great deal of weight.
Liposuction has been in use for more than three decades and it is an extremely safe and effective procedure when performed by a well-trained and qualified surgeon. It is essentially scarless, since the fat is removed through tiny cannula holes placed in strategic areas on the body. Healing is relatively quick but swelling and bruising may take several weeks to completely resolve so plan ahead. Exercise and diet should always be used in combination with liposuction because they will tremendously enhance the final results. Many patients will use the surgical experience as sort of a “springboard” to changing their exercise and dieting habits. Some people simply need a “little push” in the right direction! As they begin to see definitive results, the motivation to change bad habits is much more effective and longer lasting.
Since liposuction has been around for so long, new techniques are constantly being developed and tested. In the news we now hear about such procedures as tumescent, LASER assisted, Ultrasound, VASER, SLIM, SMART and COOL liposuction. In fact, all of these techniques all have one thing in common. They remove fat from the body through the use of liposuction cannulas. The only real difference is how the fat is treated prior to its removal. All of the procedures will utilize “tumescent” solution to infiltrate the soon-to-be liposculpted areas. The tumescent solution serves to numb the areas, “firm” up the fat to be removed and help with post-operative bruising. Once the fat is ‘tumesced,” or filled, with solution, the fat can be treated with ultrasound, light or LASER in order to “melt” the fat prior to its removal. The intention of this pre-treatment is to provide a smoother result with less post-operative bruising and discomfort.
One area that liposuction can be particularly effective and can yield dramatic results is in the neck. This is an area where a little suction can go a long way. A heavier neck can give the illusion that a person is significantly overweight even though they might only be a few pounds over the norm. In addition, as we age, we tend to acquire more fat under our chin and lose fat in our face. Therefore, not only does liposuction of the neck make you look thinner, it can also turn back time and make you look younger!
Overall, liposuction is an extremely safe and effective procedure. This is why it is always in the TOP TWO cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. Just remember it is intended to target “trouble areas” and that dieting and exercise will ALWAYS enhance what a talented plastic surgeon can achieve through liposculpting.
