When Diet and Exercise Fail, There’s Liposuction. Grand Rapids’ Dr. Brad Bengtson Explains

While healthy dieting and exercise are good habits for all of us, they won’t necessarily make those lumps and bumps of fat go away, because while these measures can shrink fat cells (and only keep them small if you strictly regulate your habits), they cannot make them leave the body. The only way to make these stubborn of fat go away is to physically remove them—which is exactly what liposuction does. Grand Rapids’ Dr. Brad Bengtson explains the latest techniques used to perform the body sculpting procedure.

As per the latest statistics collected by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the number of liposuction procedures performed by member surgeons throughout the Unites States has risen between 2015 and 2016 by 6 percent to make it one of the top five cosmetic surgical procedures of 2016.

Liposuction—also known as liposculpting, lipoplasty, or simply lipo—is the physical removal of fat cells from the body. The procedure sculpts and re-contours the body by suctioning out excess fat deposits that are both diet- and exercise-resistant. Liposuction can also work as a method to collect fat that can be used in augmentation or fat grafting procedures.

The areas that are most commonly sculpted by liposuction include:

• Abdomen
• Waist, hips, and love handles
• Back
• Flanks
• Inner and outer thighs
• Neck and chin area
• Upper arms
• Knees and calves
• Male and female breasts

Often, even the fittest of individuals may choose to receive liposuction, as after a certain point, many fat deposits may be resistant to dieting and exercising efforts. The areas where you may see stubborn fat pockets depend on your individual genetics.

While liposuction may result in some weight loss due to the removal of fat deposits, it is important to understand that the procedure is not intended for this, and that only individuals within 30 pounds of their ideal weight may be considered for the surgery. Some amount of fat is healthy to have, and a responsible surgeon will ensure that patients have realistic expectations of liposuction to prioritize health and safety while maximizing the aesthetic results.

While most liposuction operations are performed with patients under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis, some lipo on smaller areas may be completed using local anesthesia and a sedative.

The incisions that allow the surgeon to remove fat from the body are usually about a quarter of an inch, and are placed to be as inconspicuous as possible when wearing clothes or bathing suits. Your doctor should discuss incision placement during your consultation.

There are three main types of lipo procedures:

• Standard or Traditional Liposuction: The surgeon manually loosens and suctions out fat through a small incision on the area to be improved. This method can be used on several areas. Recovery time is usually between five to 10 days.
• Power-Assisted Liposuction: A cannula is used to automate the fat loosening action, leaving the doctor more room to direct the device with greater precision and control. The procedure is faster than traditional lipo, and requires less recovery time.
• Laser Liposuction: Heat from a laser liquefies the unwanted fat to enable easier removal. The heat also tones and tightens loose skin. Recovery time is usually four to five days.

After a liposuction operation, it is typical to experience bruising, swelling, and soreness in the treated areas. Up to 10 days may be required for recovery. Within a day of the surgery, many patients find that they are able to resume light activity.

While the results tend to be long-lasting (and sometimes even permanent), they can be affected by marked weight gain or loss, pregnancy, and normal aging and gravity over time. To maximize the results, patients must be committed to maintaining a healthy routine of eating and exercising.