There are some areas of fat that no amount of diet and exercise will remove. That’s where liposuction, a fat reduction procedure, comes in. Liposuction can permanently remove unwanted love handles, as well as excess fat in the arms, thighs and other areas. Miami board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Craft discusses how to know it’s the right time for you to get liposuction.

After Diet and Exercise

Liposuction is not a weight-loss treatment. Consider liposuction only after regular dieting and exercising fail to get rid of stubborn fat pockets. Only a limited amount of fat is removable via liposuction.

Liposuction works by breaking down excess fat and sucks fat out of the body via a high-pressure vacuum attached to a hollow tube, or cannula.

Good Health

Candidates for liposuction must be in good health. That includes mental as well as physical health.

Contraindications for liposuction include:

• Blood clotting disorders
• Diabetes
• Lidocaine allergy
• Liver or kidney disease
• Obesity
• Serious cardiovascular disease
• Systemic infection

Near Goal Weight

Those seeking liposuction should come close to their goal weight. They must maintain that stable weight for a certain period before considering liposuction.

Realistic Expectations

Liposuction improves your appearance and can boost self-esteem. It is critical, however, to have realistic expectations about the results beforehand. It can take several months before the final results are apparent. The overall results tend toward the subtle rather than dramatic.

After liposuction, patients will still have cellulite, stretch marks and other skin conditions. Liposuction has no effect on these issues.

Patients who do not continue to follow a healthy exercise and dietary regimen after liposuction can expect to regain weight.

Adequate Recovery Time

For patients trying to determine whether a nonsurgical fat reduction procedure or liposuction is the best choice, keep in mind that recovery time for liposuction is longer.

Expect to take at least one week off after liposuction before resuming normal activities. Avoid strenuous activities for several weeks afterward.

The Wrong Time for Liposuction

There’s a right time for liposuction, and a wrong time. Smokers should not undergo liposuction, so stop smoking at least several weeks before scheduling a procedure.

Pregnant women or those who have given birth within the past six months are not current candidates for liposuction.

Patients who underwent major surgery must wait at least six months before having liposuction.

For More Information, Contact Dr. Christopher Craft

If you would like more information about liposuction and whether this is an appropriate time to undergo the procedure, schedule a personal consultation with team members at the Miami practice of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Craft. We will answer all of your questions and address any concerns.