Although liposuction is not considered a weight-loss method, patients are often amazed by the dramatic results it can provide. Liposuction can remove stubborn fat when efforts such as diet and exercise have been unsuccessful. Whether it is surgical or non surgical lipo, it is a cosmetic procedure that removes or shrinks unwanted fat cells, and the patient’s body is sculpted and molded into a slimmer, sleeker shape. However, mild to moderate weight gain after liposuction will produce new fat cells, and those new fat cells will grow and reproduce, altering those fantastic liposuction results. What do you need to do to maintain your new look?

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Erick Sanchez is the founder of Sanchez Plastic Surgery in Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Sanchez is a specialist in body contouring and fat removal procedures for men and women. Liposuction is a versatile cosmetic tool that is commonly used on the thighs, hips, stomach, flanks, arms, and neck area. During your private consultation with Dr. Sanchez, you can ask any questions you may have and discuss your aesthetic goals, and a treatment plan will be devised to give you the body contouring results you want.

Does liposuction work?

The answer to that question is yes. Liposuction procedures provide excellent results for both men and women. Every patient has different aesthetic needs and their own unique body type, and these factors make liposuction a highly structured and detailed surgical procedure. It requires a creative eye and surgical touch to sculpt and create the look that each patient desires. For individuals to get optimal liposuction results, it is critical to find an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Sanchez has performed numerous liposuction procedures with dramatic results. Liposuction can offer a natural-looking outcome, but it takes the right plastic surgeon to achieve it.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

To get optimal results with liposuction, patients should be within 20 – 30 lbs. of their ideal weight. This number may vary depending on the patient’s particular body type and aesthetic goals. Good candidates for liposuction are typically individuals that demonstrate the following:

• A healthy non-smoker at or near their ideal weight
• Able to maintain a stable, healthy weight for more than six months
• Have good muscle tone and good skin elasticity
• Pockets of excess fat in certain areas that are unaffected by diet and exercise

Will liposuction get rid of loose skin?

Liposuction procedures remove or reduce the amount of fatty tissue in certain areas, but liposuction does not remove excess loose skin. When fat is removed, the skin may appear slightly loose, like letting the air out of a balloon. The skin that is left will tighten up slightly but there still may be loose skin present. Other factors, such as skin laxity before liposuction, age, and how much fat was removed, will determine if a surgical intervention is necessary to tighten the skin. In that case, patients may have to consider a tummy tuck, arm lift, or thigh lift to remove and tighten the deflated skin. Working closely with a qualified body-contouring expert like Dr. Sanchez will help determine if a patient may need a body lift procedure performed at the same time for optimal liposuction results.

What can I expect after liposuction?

Patients will experience some mild discomfort, bruising, swelling, and slight redness in the target areas. Patients may be instructed to wear compression garments to help reduce inflammation and swelling. Compression garments also promote better circulation, which aids in the healing process. Patients may experience swelling for up to six weeks, but in general, most patients feel more comfortable after a few days, and typically return to work in one or two weeks. During the healing process, patients should stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and continue to follow a healthy diet in addition to adhering to their surgeon’s postoperative instructions.

Maintaining your liposuction results

Even though liposuction can transform the way Baton Rouge-area patients look, the results are not necessarily permanent. Some fat cells will remain in those target areas and expand if patients don’t follow a healthy lifestyle. Liposuction is not a green light for patients to eat and drink whatever they want. Dr. Sanchez will advise his patients to stay active and eat a healthy diet to maintain their liposuction results. If you have invested your time and money in liposuction, make sure you work to keep your results.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Sanchez

Liposuction is a safe and effective way to remove stubborn pockets of resistant fat. Patients in the Baton Rouge area can turn to a surgical expert like Dr. Erick Sanchez to get the shapelier body they have always wanted. For patients to maintain their new look, it requires a commitment to healthy choices, an active lifestyle, and the right surgical care. If you are considering a liposuction procedure and live in the Baton Rouge, LA, area, we invite you to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Sanchez at Sanchez Plastic Surgery today.