The 8 Biggest Liposuction Myths Busted

Liposuction has been one of the most popular procedures since it first burst onto the scene in 1982 with a presentation by French surgeon Dr. Yves-Gerard Illouz. Since then, much has changed in the world of liposuction techniques and technologies. However, many critics still cling to the same myths about this life-changing procedure. To clear the air, here are the top eight biggest myths about liposuction and what you really need to know to better understand this life altering, body contouring procedure.

Myth #1 – Liposuction Will Help You Lose Weight

Because liposuction is a procedure used to remove fat deposits from specific areas of the body, many people assume that it will help you drop a few pounds overnight. Further still, some even claim that it can trigger weight loss in your body. Neither of these claims is true; liposuction is not for those who are struggling with weight loss and it cannot help you to shed excess pounds. Liposuction targets fat deposits in certain areas where stubborn fat has collected that diet and exercise cannot manage. In fact, ideal candidates for liposuction are people in good shape physically and at a healthy weight. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that helps smooth out bulges and areas like the “love handles” for a leaner-looking physique, not one that weighs in lower on the scale.

Myth #2 – Liposuction Removes Cellulite

While stubborn fat deposits are definitely on the agenda for liposuction treatments, cellulite is certainly not. This cottage-cheese-like appearance is not caused just by fat deposits, but rather by damage to the connective tissues under the skin. There is a cellular breakdown in this area that liposuction’s techniques will not address. To remove fat and improve the appearance of cellulite at the same time, talk to your plastic surgeon about your options.

Myth #3 – Fat Can’t Come Back After Liposuction

Many patients make the mistake in assuming that their liposuction results are for life and that they will never need to worry about these areas of concern ever again. On the contrary, poor diet and a lack of exercise can recreate the same problems in your body that liposuction once corrected. The procedure does remove some fat cells to accomplish its objective, but it will leave other fat cells behind. If you are lax in your healthy diet and exercise routine, these left-behind fat cells can swell up and give your bulges new life. Liposuction results are only forever if you continue to keep up healthy habits.

Myth #4 – Men Can’t Have Liposuction

While some men believe there to be a social stigma against having liposuction, this procedure can be performed on men just as well as on women. Just like women, men can find themselves frustrated with specific fat deposits that won’t go away no matter how many protein shakes consumed, miles run, or weights lifted. The male body can harbor these little pockets of fat cells just as easily and in many of the same locations. Liposuction is certainly not a gender-specific procedure and can be performed in various places of the male and female body all the same. In fact, statistics from recent years have shown a significant uptick in the number of men seeking assistance from this body-shaping procedure.

Myth #5 – Liposuction Only Removes Fat from One Part of the Body

As previously mentioned, fat deposits collect in many places and where they go, liposuction can go. Plastic surgeons can use the liposuction procedure to help smooth the abdomen, hips, outer things (or saddlebags), flanks (or love handles), inner thighs, inner knees, upper arms, submental area (the chin) and the breasts as well. With so many applications of this procedure, your specific areas of concern are likely covered by liposuction fat removal. If you have multiple areas to address, your plastic surgeon will go over them all with you and determine if you can be treated in all areas during one surgery session.

Myth #6 – Liposuction Is Only for Vanity

There is a common misconception that liposuction is only sought by people who are vain and obsessed with their appearance. After all, removing harmless fat deposits doesn’t seem like a big medical necessity, does it? Nothing could be further from the truth. Liposuction can actually offer benefits to many people, and not just by making them feel prettier. In cases of extreme self-image issues, liposuction can be part of a treatment program to boost confidence and help a person to better appreciate their body.

In other medical cases, liposuction can be used to remove benign fatty tumors, called lipomas, which can grow and become unsightly if not treated. Liposuction may also be recommended to treat a condition called gynecomastia, which involves an abnormal enlargement of the male breasts and can make life very uncomfortable. Sometimes excess fat deposits can cause metabolic problems and a condition known as lipodystrophy. When the fat is not being properly metabolized, many health concerns can result and a liposuction treatment may be recommended.

Myth #7 – Liposuction Is Extremely Painful

Maybe because the idea of the procedure seems unpleasant – suctioning fat from beneath the skin—most people tend to assume that their liposuction recovery process will be very painful. However, thanks to technological improvements, honed techniques, and decades of fine-tuning the procedure, plastic surgeons are now able to perform liposuctions that leave the patients surprised at how little pain is involved. While there will be some moderate discomfort, as well as temporary swelling, redness, and bruising, the recovery is not as long and involved as it was back when it got started decades ago. Any pain you experience can be managed with ice packs and pain medication as prescribed by your physician. Severe pain could be the sign of an infection or other complication and should be addressed immediately with your doctor.

Myth #8 – Traditional Liposuction Is the Only Option

Traditional liposuction is performed by inserting a small, thin tube near to the area of concern and then moving it back and forth to manually break apart fat. The fat cells are then suctioned through the tube and out of the body. While there have been many advancements in this procedure, some patients and their physicians are looking toward more modern ways to achieve the same goals. VASERLipo is one example of a new and less invasive way to perform liposuction. Using ultrasonic waves to break up the fat cells, VASERLipo reduces the amount of trauma to the area and thus the amount of bruising and swelling that may result afterwards. VASERLipo can be used to treat fat deposits on the knees, legs, arms, breasts, back, abdomen, buttocks, chin, and other areas of the face.

Learn More at a Liposuction Consultation

To better understand this beneficial procedure, it’s best to speak with an expert during a one-on-one consultation. Contact the office of Dr. Ronald Lohner, a board certified plastic surgeon based in Philadelphia, to get the answers you need. He completed his undergraduate education at Dartmouth College and medical school at UMDNJ-Rutgers. He is Chief of Plastic Surgery at Bryn Mawr Hospital and holds a faculty appointment at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. His peers have selected him as a Philadelphia area Top Doctor for the last 8 years. His office is located at [primary_address] in [primary_city], [primary_statefull], on the Main Line. Please call his office at [primary_phone] to schedule your consultation today.