If you have recently decided that you might be interested in liposuction, then you are probably wondering how long the results of that procedure can last. While the fat is going to be physically removed from the body, the longevity of the results depends on many different factors. That is why it is so important for patients to sit down with an experienced surgeon to come up with a long-term plan for maintaining the results. With the proper lifestyle habits, you can rest assured that your stubborn body fat is going to be gone forever following your liposuction procedure.
Making Lifestyle Changes
Even though the liposuction procedure is highly effective, you will probably need to make some major lifestyle changes in the months leading up to your surgery. Many surgeons won’t even consider carrying out this procedure unless a patient has been able to maintain a consistent weight for two or three months. If you are struggling to lose weight, then you should work with a registered dietitian who can help you come up with a diet that you can stick to. You might also want to speak with an experienced trainer who can develop a custom workout routine that allows you to build muscle and burn fat.
Your First Consultation With the Surgeon
Once you have made some lifestyle changes and looked over a few liposuction before and after photos, you will then need to schedule your first appointment with the cosmetic surgeon. That consultation will give you the opportunity to learn more about how the operation is carried out and what you can expect following your procedure. The surgeon will also need to look at your medical history and discuss your weight loss journey to ensure that liposuction is right for you. Liposuction can remove quite a bit of fat, but you should be somewhat close to your ideal weight before you consider this operation. If the surgeon decides that you are a good candidate, then you will be given further instructions on what you can do to prep for your procedure.
How Is Liposuction Carried Out?
This straightforward procedure usually takes around two hours to complete, and a strong anesthetic is going to be administered well before the surgeon begins the operation. Once your anesthetic has been administered, one or more small incisions must be made near the pocket of fat that is going to be removed. While many patients have this procedure carried out on the abdomen, it is also a good option for fatty tissue in the upper arms, back, flanks, hips, and buttocks. To remove the fat, the surgeon is going to insert a small rod known as a cannula, and that device is going to physically break apart the fat before extracting it.
Maintaining Long-Term Results
The results of liposuction should be seen almost immediately, and you could be back on your feet within just a few days. As soon as you have been cleared by your surgeon, you must immediately resume your exercise routine if you want to maintain the results. Because the fat is physically extracted from the body, the results can last a lifetime as long as the patient’s weight doesn’t fluctuate in the future. That being said, some patients decide to schedule additional treatments to remove more fat or target other areas of the body. If you have looked over the liposuction before and after photos and think that this operation might be right for you, then it is time to schedule your first consultation with an experienced cosmetic surgeon.