How to Choose between Liposuction and Nonsurgical Body Contouring
Whether you’re trying to achieve those last finishing touches to your physique after significant weight loss or you just can’t seem to get your pre-baby body back following a pregnancy, there are a variety of reasons why you may consider liposuction and other body contouring options. But with so many different treatment options now available, it can be difficult to decide which is the best one for you. Here are some of the biggest differences between liposuction and nonsurgical body contouring procedures that may play a role in your ultimate decision.
What Is Liposuction, and Who Are the Best Candidates?
Liposuction remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, as it can remove localized pockets of stubborn fat that won’t respond to diet and exercise alone. Although it can be performed on nearly any part of the body, the most common areas for liposuction include the hips, waist, love handles, and thighs (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Prior to your liposuction procedure, an experienced plastic surgeon will sit down with you to discuss your individual needs and goals for your final results. With that in mind, he or she can design a surgical plan custom-tailored to help you reach those goals and love your results. It is important to keep in mind, though, that liposuction and other body contouring procedures are most effective after you’ve already reached or have come close to reaching your ideal weight. Think of liposuction as a body shaping tool to help smooth your contours, rather than a method of weight loss.
During your procedure, your plastic surgeon will remove the small pockets of subcutaneous fat in the desired area using a small tube called a cannula and small incisions. Once this fat is gone, it’s gone for good, despite myths that it can reappear in other parts of your body. Following your liposuction treatment and recovery, you can expect to enjoy the sleeker, slimmer new figure that you’ve always wanted.
Can Nonsurgical Alternatives Offer Similar Results?
Nonsurgical alternatives to liposuction, which include CoolSculpting and ProLipo Plus, can yield smooth results, but ultimately, liposuction is going to deliver more dramatic results that may be longer-lasting. Another downside to many nonsurgical body contouring procedures is that they may require multiple treatment sessions in order to achieve similar results to one liposuction procedure.
For many men and women considering their body contouring options, liposuction can offer the comprehensive results that they’re looking for without requiring multiple treatments. For much smaller areas of localized fat where there is still very good skin elasticity, nonsurgical body contouring options could be more appropriate (The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery).
Determining Which Is Right for You
Of course, the decision is ultimately up to you and your personal preferences and goals, but speaking with a skilled plastic surgeon who has experience performing liposuction procedures can be a good first step in helping you determine which is right for you. He or she will be able to better analyze your individual situation and assess whether or not liposuction or other body contouring tools can realistically help you achieve your desired look.
At Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology in Pittsburgh and Wexford, our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Heil would be happy to discuss in detail your unique needs and goals to help you decide whether or not you could benefit from liposuction. His skill, expertise, and years of professional training make Dr. Heil one of the top 10 percent of plastic surgeons in the Pittsburgh area. Before and after photos specific to liposuction can be seen here. Your satisfaction, comfort, and safety are of the utmost importance, and Dr. Heil is dedicated to providing all three to each and every patient.
If you’d like more information about your liposuction options, or to set up a consultation with Dr. Heil, please feel free to contact us at 724-264-3608 and take the next step toward achieving the smooth, slim figure you want.
