If you’re considering liposuction at our Tallahassee plastic surgery practice, you may be unsure whether this body contouring procedure is really the best way to reach your body goals. From diet and exercise to shapewear to nonsurgical treatments, there are many other ways to create your ideal shape. How can you be sure liposuction is the right choice for you?
This is an important question to ask, and while everyone’s journey is unique, there are some answers that may help guide your decision. In this blog post, we’ll discuss when liposuction is the right way forward—and when it may be worth looking into other solutions.
When You’re At or Near Your Goal Weight
Contrary to some popular misconceptions, liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It’s not ideal for removing a large volume of fat, nor is it a treatment for obesity. Think of it instead as a cosmetic body contouring procedure. Once you’ve already put in the hard work to live a healthy lifestyle and maintain a weight at or near your goal, liposuction can step in to put the finishing touches on your look.
To see examples of the results you can expect, please visit our before-and-after photo gallery.
When You Have Stubborn Fat That Just Won’t Budge
Giving it your all at the gym and still stuck with a “spare tire” that won’t go away? This is where liposuction shines. People often turn to liposuction to reduce stubborn pockets where they naturally store extra fat, including the:
- Abdomen
- Back
- Hips and flanks (“love handles”)
- Thighs
- Under the chin (“double chin”)
- Upper arms
Once excess fat cells in these areas are removed, they’re gone for good. If you do gain weight in the future, you will gain it more evenly across your body as opposed to collecting it in these stubborn spots.
When You’re Ready To Invest in Yourself
Liposuction is an investment, both financially and in terms of your time. While most people only need a few days away from work to recover, it can take a week or 2 for you to feel back up to speed after surgery—and it can take a few weeks after that to fully resume your workout routine. This recovery time is minimal compared to the long-term results you’ll enjoy, but it’s important to understand that you will have some downtime initially.
In terms of finances, the cost of liposuction varies from person to person depending on the size and number of your treatment areas. In 2020, the average cost of liposuction in the U.S. was $3,637 (American Society of Plastic Surgeons). If this doesn’t currently fit in your budget, there are many third-party financing options available to break up your cost into more affordable monthly payments.
When Is Liposuction Not the Right Choice?
How can you tell liposuction is currently not an ideal option for you? Times when it may not be your best choice include:
- When you’re trying to lose weight. You may want to wait until you’re further along in your weight loss journey to pursue body contouring.
- When you’re doing it for someone else. You should never have a plastic surgery procedure done to please someone else or meet a societal expectation. This is about you and your vision for your body.
- When what you really need is a tummy tuck. If you’re looking for a flat, tight tummy, you may need skin tightening and muscle repair to achieve it rather than fat removal. That’s where a tummy tuck comes in.
You don’t have to make this decision on your own. Our board-certified Florida plastic surgeons can help you understand your best next steps at a private consultation. If you would like to meet with one of our surgeons to learn more, please request a consultation online or call (850) 219-2000. We look forward to hearing from you!
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