Five Things You Need to Know Before Getting Lipo

July 19, 2018

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Liposuction was the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure of 2017. Last year, more than 245,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the United States, up 5% from 2016. Since its inception in the early 1970s, liposuction has steadily become one of America’s most sought-after procedures. These surgeries are commonly performed by Dr. Ravi at the Houston, Texas-based Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. Liposuction can be performed alone or in combination with other cosmetic surgeries and procedures. Dr. Ravi can get rid of stubborn fatty tissue almost anywhere on the body, but his expertise is providing contours that are impossible to achieve through diet and exercise alone. But before you pick up the phone to schedule a liposuction appointment, there are a few things that you need to know.

1. Liposuction provides long-term results if you maintain your weight.

Liposuction sculpts the target area by vacuuming away fatty tissue. Since the fat cells do not return, the benefits of liposuction can last for years to come. Unfortunately, if you gain weight, the surrounding fat cells can still expand. To enjoy optimal results from your liposuction, it is vital that you maintain your weight by sticking with a healthy diet and a consistent exercise routine.

2. Lymphatic massage can boost your liposuction results.

After an invasive procedure, surrounding tissues will often produce excess lymphatic fluid, which is essentially from the inflammation process. This fluid can cause edema and pockets of fibrosis, sometimes resulting in scar formation. Lymphatic massage is a specialized technique that stimulates improved healing, reducing post-op swelling by flushing this fluid from the body and improving blood circulation. Not only do patients see better liposuction results with lymphatic massage, their recovery time is often shorter and discomfort kept to a minimum. Lymphatic massage is not painful, and in fact, will improve any pain you may feel after surgery.

3. Liposuction provides dramatic body contouring results, not weight loss.

Liposuction is an excellent choice for those people looking to eliminate isolated pockets of fat along the abdomen, thighs, bra rolls, lower back, upper arms, and under the chin. However, liposuction is a quick fix for relatively small areas. The technique is designed for body contouring, not weight loss. For weight reduction, patients need to focus on nutrition and a healthy diet, combined with routine exercise. Liposuction cannot provide an alternative to a healthy lifestyle.

4. Liposuction can increase metabolism, helping you to lose weight.

One of the most exciting benefits of liposuction is an increase in metabolism after surgery. While the metabolism-boosting benefits of liposuction are nowhere near that of weight loss, the change is still significant. To take advantage of this increase in metabolism, patients are encouraged to begin eating well prior to their procedure and continue with a healthy diet afterward, ultimately helping with overall weight loss.

5. Good liposuction results depend on skin elasticity.

Without good elasticity, skin cannot bounce back into shape (skin tightening) after liposuction. Instead, once the fatty tissue is eliminated, the skin may become saggy and wrinkled. If lax skin is present, liposuction can be paired with a radiofrequency (RF) technique, such as BodyTite, rejuvenating the body’s collagen and elastin production. BodyTite immediately strengthens tissue fibers, tightening and smoothing the skin. Those patients with a large excess of lax skin may require surgical excision, such as Dr. Ravi’s well-known Tummy Tuck, to achieve optimal results.

Liposuction at Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics

Although liposuction is a tried and true procedure, approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a safe technique for eliminating body fat, patients should trust their body to the hands of a board-certified plastic surgeon. An experienced provider ensures patients the best results and fastest, most comfortable recovery period. If you are in the Houston area, reach out to Dr. Ravi Somayazula at Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. Dr. Ravi has been performing his innovative liposuction technique for the last decade and is well known in the field for outstanding results. Performed alone, or in combination with BodyTite or Tummy Tuck, Dr. Ravi’s liposuction can help you achieve your desired look. Keep in mind that your own fat doesn’t have to go to waste, it can easily be used to add volume to other areas of the body such as the breasts or the buttocks (Brazilian Butt Lift). Call Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics at 281.242.1061 or fill out our online Contact form to learn more about liposuction in Houston.