Question: I recently joined a health club and have started an exercise program. I am about 45 pounds overweight and have extra fat in many areas that I would like to reduce. My friends and I have discussed liposuction which sounds like an easy way to improve my appearance. Instead of exercising and dieting for months I could have the fat removed in one day. Is this a reasonable choice?
Answer: No, liposuction is not a good alternative to weight loss. There are many benefits of weight loss that go beyond appearance. These include reducing risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Liposuction does not provide the same health benefits. Also from an aesthetic point of view, patients get better results when they are closer to their ideal body weight. This allows surgeons to contour those remaining areas that are genetically resistant to weight loss. When surgeons try to contour large areas for severely overweight patients, these patients tend to have irregularities in the treated areas. Finally, from a safety point of view, most surgeons will not remove more than three or four liters of fat at a time, which amounts to less than ten pounds of weight loss. So, stick to your exercise program and have a good time at the gym.
The Plastic Surgery Center is located in Sacramento and Roseville and can be contacted at 916-929-1833 or anuyu.com.
