TL;DR:
- Excess fat causes: Genetic conditions, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, hormonal disorders (e.g., PCOS, hypothyroidism).
- Liposuction purpose: Models body contours; not a cure for obesity or weight loss substitute.
- Ultrasonic liposuction: Breaks fat into emulsion with ultrasound probe, uses small incisions; lasts 60-180 minutes; visible results immediate but final results take 2-3 months.
- Recommended for: Stubborn fat areas, gynecomastia, disproportionate fat, prep for fat transplant (e.g., breast augmentation).
- Post-weight loss options: Combine liposuction with abdominoplasty (mini, partial, reverse, or total) to address excess fat/loose skin.
- Results: Permanent if weight is maintained; problems may return after weight gain, pregnancy, or lifestyle changes.
Excess body fat is one very common problem that is often difficult to deal with, even with a good diet and regular physical activity. So liposuction surgery is gaining popularity, which allows to model the silhouette and get rid of fatty tissue from places where there is too much of it. However, can it be treated as a way to cure obesity?
Causes of excess body fat
Acquiring excess body fat is easy, but burning it off is already much more difficult, especially if we are not talking about being slightly overweight, but quite obese. The risk of accumulating unnecessary body fat is even greater:
- Genetic conditions,
- Unhealthy diet, too many calories in the diet,
- Irregular meals,
- Sedentary lifestyle,
- Hormonal disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism, excess estrogen, PCOS).
Burning fat requires a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Of course, such changes take time and perseverance, which is why many people are looking for a simpler way, as the fast pace of life and excess work are not conducive to maintaining a healthy and slender figure. However, it is worth remembering that liposuction is not a treatment for obesity – it is a way to model the body, not an alternative to weight loss. It is especially worth looking at the causes, as it will be difficult to maintain a slender figure without treating hormonal disorders or regular workouts.
How does ultrasonic liposuction treatment work?
Techniques for performing liposuction are improving over time, making the procedure more effective, less risky, and recovery less strenuous. Ultrasonic liposuction has the primary advantage that there is minimal damage to the tissues surrounding the fatty tissue. Prior to traditional liposuction, an ultrasound-emitting probe is used here, which causes the fatty tissue to break down into an emulsion form, easier to separate and remove. A thin needle and skillful massage are used during liposuction, so only small incisions are required for the procedure. Liposuction takes about 60-180 minutes, and the first results are visible as soon as the procedure is completed. However, the final results should not be evaluated earlier than 2-3 months after liposuction.
For whom is ultrasonic liposuction intended?
Liposuction is not a remedy for overweight or obesity, but it is worth opting for in at least a few cases. The procedure is helpful if problems such as:
- Resistant body fat that is difficult to get rid of despite exercise and a healthy diet,
- Gynecomastia,
- Distorted body proportions by excess fat in a particular area,
- Preparation for transplantation of one's own fat tissue (e.g., breast augmentation with fat, facial or hand modeling).
Liposuction is particularly often chosen by post-pregnancy women who have a problem with excess body fat. It can also be an additional support after weight reduction, when a specific area needs slimming.
How to improve the appearance of the figure after weight reduction?
Sometimes, however, it happens that despite overall weight reduction, there is still excess fat and/or loose skin in problem areas, such as the abdomen, flanks or thighs. Liposuction is the mainstay here, but in some cases it is also worthwhile to get rid of excess loose skin, which often appears after pregnancy or weight loss. Helpful is abdominoplasty, which is performed to varying degrees, depending on the amount of excess skin. The plastic surgeon will advise on the best procedure for a particular patient. Abdominoplasty can be performed using three techniques, which differ in terms of invasiveness:
- Miniabdominoplasty – can be performed with an endoscope, so a minimal incision is sufficient. The procedure works well for patients with little excess skin and fat.
- Partial abdominoplasty – it is performed in the upper or lower abdomen, it is possible even under local anesthesia. Such a procedure is often performed in women after pregnancy.
- Reverse abdominoplasty – the incision here is made in the subpectoral fold, and the upper part of the abdomen is corrected.
- Total abdominoplasty – the procedure is the most invasive, so it must be performed under general anesthesia. Instead, it allows to remove even large amounts of unnecessary skin and to model the straight muscles of the abdomen.
Often the possibilities of both procedures are combined: liposuction and abdominoplasty, but this is no substitute for weight loss. In the most severe cases of obesity, gastric reduction surgery may be necessary to help reduce the volume of meals.
Does liposuction produce permanent results?
The effect of body contouring is permanent, but of course liposuction cannot be considered a permanent solution to the problem of excess fat or loose skin. After putting on weight again, weight fluctuations or pregnancy, the problem may return. Lifestyle is always the basis, and plastic surgery only plays a supporting role. Maintaining a slim figure doesn't come effortlessly to everyone, so it's no wonder we look for solutions to get rid of unnecessary fat. Liposuction is excellent for body contouring, but it is not a remedy for weight maintenance problems.
Conclusion
Liposuction is a powerful tool for reshaping stubborn fat areas, not curing obesity. A healthy lifestyle remains essential for managing weight and maintaining results. While procedures like liposuction and abdominoplasty can enhance body contouring, they aren't substitutes for sustainable habits. Long-term success relies on treating root causes like diet, exercise, or hormonal imbalances. Use these procedures wisely—as support, not shortcuts—and pair them with consistent care of your health.
