FAQs About Liposuction

Is liposuction right for you? If you're not sure whether this procedure can or will meet your needs, take a look at the answers to common liposuction questions.

What Areas Can Liposuction Change?

This procedure won't provide general or full-body fat reduction. Instead, it's a localized strategy. The surgeon will use suction to remove fat deposits from targeted areas of your body, such as:

• Abdomen. Abdominal liposuction may include the top or bottom areas of this region. Lower abdominal liposuction can help to reduce muffin top (or the appearance of fat over the waistband area of a tight-fitting pair of pants or skirt).
• Hips. This procedure can smooth the sides of your hips and give this area a more defined shape. 
• Buttocks. Liposuction can help to add a sense of proportion to your body. If your buttocks are larger than you'd like, liposuction can help.
• Waist and flanks. Commonly known as love handles, fat deposits on the sides of your body are areas liposuction can remove or reduce.
• Thighs. Thigh liposuction can reduce fatty deposits on the outer or inner areas of the upper legs.
• Arms. This surgical procedure can also reduce fat deposits in the upper areas of the arms.

Along with body areas, you can also choose facial liposuction for your cheeks, neck, or chin.

What Can Liposuction Do that Shapewear Can't?

Now that you know where you can get liposuction, you may wonder if it's the best smoothing or reduction strategy for your problem areas. If you currently wear shaping undergarments or have considered this strategy, you need to decide whether you want a more permanent solution.

Shapewear pieces are popular picks for women and men who want to tighten problem areas and create smooth lines under clothing. These undergarments give the illusion of a slimmer form, smooth any bumps, and can create a seamless look under clothing. Before you decide whether to invest in a dresser-full of shapewear or consider a liposuction procedure, ask:



• Do you want a constantly slimmer look? Again, shapewear is not a permanent solution. But liposuction can be. With a proper diet and exercise regime, this surgical procedure sculpts and changes the shape of your body for a long-term effect.
• Do some fabrics irritate your skin? Sensitive skin or sweating issues can make shapewear uncomfortable. If your skin easily irritates, these garments can be problematic - especially if you want a smoother look 24/7.
• Do you have problem areas? Liposuction can reduce localized fat deposits. Instead of pulling everything in (and holding it in place), this procedure will eliminate your problem areas.
• Do you want to smooth or reduce fat in or around your face? Shapewear can't help the neck, chin, or cheek areas. If you want to reduce deposits in these areas, liposuction is an option to seriously explore.

A surgical procedure can give you long-lasting fat reduction effects. But you may still want to create smoother lines or a slimmer shape under tight-fitting or revealing clothes. A liposuction-undergarment combination can maximize your overall physical shape.

Will Liposuction Help You Lose Weight?

The answer to this question is yes - and no. While you'll lose pounds after spot fat reduction, you won't achieve an overall slimmer look. Liposuction only targets specific areas. It won't help you to drop several dress sizes or lose larger amounts of weight.

Even though liposuction isn't the answer to overall weight loss needs, it can help with the process - especially if you've lost weight in some areas but not in specific spots (such as your thighs or arms).

Do you want to learn more about liposuction? Contact the office of Ronald C. Barry MD, FACS, for more information.