Areas of excess fat are not necessarily indicative of a person’s health or vitality. Someone can exercise daily and count calories but still struggle with a protruding belly or thick thighs. Dalton cosmetic surgeon Dr. Joel Williams frequently works with patients who have these complaints, and he usually suggests liposuction to eliminate the stubborn pockets of diet- and exercise-resistant fat.
Take control of areas of the body that aren’t responding to diet or exercise; schedule a consultation at Williams Plastic Surgery to discuss your treatment options.
Ideal liposuction candidates have excess fat, not skin. The skin should have good elasticity to be able to tightly hug the body’s new contours. Candidates should also be physically and mentally healthy, and not smoke. If a liposuction candidate smokes, Dr. Williams may ask him or her to quit for several weeks prior to, and following surgery.
Liposuction is usually performed at our accredited surgical center. Dr. Williams prefers traditional liposuction versus nonsurgical lipo options which require multiple treatments. Traditional liposuction involves passing a thin, hollow tube back and forth through the areas of fatty tissue and essentially “vacuuming” out the fat.
It’s important to keep in mind, as mentioned above, that liposuction does not remove excess skin. If a patient has large amounts of excess skin instead of, or in addition to excess pockets of fat, it’s recommended that he or she explore other options such as tummy tuck or body lift surgery. Dr. Williams will recommend the best treatment option on a case-by-case basis.
Patients recovering from liposuction usually feel sore and bruised after surgery. This will dissipate quickly, but pain medication is prescribed to relieve discomfort. Dr. Williams may dress the patient in a compression garment, which should remain in place until he advises otherwise. Patients should avoid strenuous activity, but are encouraged to get up and move around frequently. Full recovery from liposuction can take 7 to 10 days but the final result may not be evident for six to eight weeks and in some cases possibly longer.
Imagine how it will feel to no longer worry about a “spare tire,” “saddle bags,” or “love handles.” Fat will most likely not grow back to the area that has been liposuctioned, although patients should be aware that future weight gain will displace fat to another area of the body if the patient gains weight.
If you would like to discuss liposuction with a credentialed and qualified Dalton / Chattanooga-area plastic surgeon, please contact Dr. Joel Williams today via email or by calling or texting his office at (706) 278-2700.
