In my more than 20 years performing liposuction, I’ve heard lots of reasons for deciding to have this highly successful body contouring procedure. For many of my patients, dramatically decreasing those stubborn pockets of fat and bulges that no amount of diet and exercise could erase helps them feel younger, slimmer, more energetic...and more beautiful. For others, having liposuction motivates them to live a healthier lifestyle and let go of bad habits, such as smoking.
Whatever the reason, liposuction can be a wonderful turning point in a person’s life, boosting their self-esteem and enabling them to feel confident about their bodies, sometimes for the first time. For more information on liposuction, download our free fact sheet!
As a highly experienced plastic surgeon, I feel strongly that patients should be as well-informed as possible before undergoing any kind of cosmetic procedure. In addition, they should be realistic about the results they are expecting to see after surgery. For that reason, I have put together this list of things to consider before having liposuction. To learn more about the range of body enhancing procedures I offer, click here.
Make sure you’re having liposuction for the right reasons
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Examine your motivation
Before undergoing liposuction, it's important that you already feel good about yourself in general and that what you are seeking is to lose unwanted fat and bulges in certain areas of your body and gain a more sculpted, shapely silhouette. You should not be planning that this surgery will give you an entirely new life.
In some cases, liposuction can help you present yourself better in your profession (in the fashion or real estate industry, for instance) but “looking good at your job” should not be your primary motivation for getting the surgery. I like to tell my patients that liposuction is a gift you give yourself because it will make you feel more beautiful and therefore more confident.
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Manage your expectations
Liposuction won't make your husband or wife return to you, nor will it make your employer give you a raise or promotion. It also won't make you look like your favorite movie star. Your age, muscle tone, level of fitness, body frame and amount of fat you want to lose will ultimately determine the end result. The goal should be to achieve the best you you can be.
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Be aware of your emotional state
If you're going through emotional trauma (loss of a spouse, divorce, depression), I would strongly recommend against having liposuction until you have had time to work through these emotional issues. For a few days after liposuction, you will experience pain, bruising and discomfort, possibly to a large degree. If you're already feeling down, this can make you feel worse. Your mental state can also negatively impact your healing since your immune system will be depressed, too. The result? Your body will take longer to heal.
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Have a good support system
While you are healing from liposuction, it is very helpful to have supportive people around you who can see you through the challenging first few days.
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Know the risks
Like any surgery, there are routine risks associated with liposuction, such as bleeding, bruising and infection. Make sure you are fully informed about what you are committing to and that you can handle a temporary setback. With some of my patients, what looked to them like a problem at first actually went away or healed on its own. If there is an actual problem, however, you need a strong doctor-patient relationship in order to deal with whatever action needs to be taken. Remember, we are partners going through this together.
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Have a clear idea of what you want
An open and honest discussion of your goals and a review of realistic before and after photos is critical to success. Most importantly, throughout the entire process from initial consultation to post-surgery recovery, I remind my patients to have realistic expectations of what their “new” body will look like so they will be truly happy with their results.
What happens during liposuction surgery
During the liposuction procedure, body fat is extracted by first inserting a small, hollow tube (a cannula) through one or more tiny incisions near the area to be suctioned. Incisions are usually less than one-quarter inch in length and are placed in places where they will be least noticeable, often within skin folds or contour lines. The cannula is connected through a tube to a vacuum pressure unit. Guided by your plastic surgeon, the suction device then vacuums away your unwanted fat.
Liposuction can be performed along with other plastic surgery procedures
Liposuction can successfully be combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures such as a facelift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck or lower body lift. If you're interested in reducing fat throughout your entire body, this will likely take multiple procedures.
Are you considering liposuction?
If you are thinking about having liposuction, please contact me for a free consultation where you will hear about all your options and have the opportunity to ask any questions. I have performed hundreds of liposuction procedures and am highly experienced in this specialized type of plastic surgery. Deciding to have liposuction is an important decision and I am dedicated to helping you achieve the beautiful body you’ve always wanted.
More information on body sculpting procedures
For further information on body slimming and toning procedures, you might find these pages helpful on my website:
Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Samuel J. Beran, MD is a highly accomplished plastic surgeon with offices in Manhattan, Harrison and Mount Kisco, NY. With more than 20 years’ experience and a thorough command of the most advanced techniques and technologies, Dr. Beran consistently provides his patients with the highest level of plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, skin and body. Recently, Dr. Beran was named a “Top Doctor” by RealSelf for his dedication to responding to consumer questions and patient feedback. The “Top Doctor” designation is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf physician community.
