The accumulation of excess fat tissue in the abdominal area is a common aesthetic concern among adults across various age groups. After a while, these fat deposits become stubborn and may not respond to diet or exercise.

In such cases, a cosmetic surgery procedure may help reduce unwanted fats and restore a slimmer abdomen with improved contours. Tummy tuck and liposuction are the two primary surgical procedures to improve body contours in the waist area.

Dr. Landon D. McLain provides body contouring cosmetic surgery procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Primary Differences

Tummy tuck and liposuction plastic surgeries are quite different from each other in several respects. At the time of the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will explain the key aspects of both procedures to help them make an informed decision.

 

Reduction of Excess Skin and Fat

In addition to excess fat in the abdominal area, many individuals develop loose skin as well as separated underlying muscles. These conditions may make the abdomen sag significantly. A tummy tuck may be a more effective plastic surgery option.

Liposuction, on the other hand, is meant to reduce unwanted fat pockets. However, it is not designed to tighten sagging skin or address weakened muscles.

 

Complexity of Surgery

A tummy tuck is often a more complicated procedure compared to liposuction. The patient will typically undergo this surgery under general anesthesia, and the procedure may take longer to complete. A tummy tuck will usually require a more comprehensive surgical approach involving skin and muscle tightening along with fat reduction.

Liposuction is usually less invasive relative to a tummy tuck. It is typically undertaken with local anesthesia (with tumescent liposuction technique).

Smaller incisions are made in this procedure, and the muscles are also not involved. In addition, the use of ultrasound or laser can make this surgical procedure more targeted and less invasive.

 

Length of Scars

The surgeon may need to make more than one incision in a traditional tummy tuck, especially if both the upper and lower abdominal areas need fat reduction. The incisions will be relatively smaller in liposuction. In particular, tumescent liposuction is a conservative technique involving smaller incisions.

The scar length will typically be more extensive in a tummy tuck surgery. A skilled cosmetic surgeon will try to make sure than these scars remain discreet by placing them in unnoticeable sites.

 

Recovery Duration

The downtime after liposuction will be less with most patients being able to resume their routine activities and work in less than one week after the surgery. On the other hand, a tummy tuck surgery will involve downtime of nearly 10 to 14 days as the incisions may take longer to heal.

 

Qualified Candidates

Suitable liposuction candidates will have fairly good skin elasticity and moderate body weight, with only undesirable fat pockets in specific areas.

In comparison, tummy tuck candidates will have looser skin and weakened underlying muscles as well as significant fat deposits in the waist area that need to be addressed.

Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for body contouring cosmetic surgery procedures.

 

 

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Fat cells are distinct in their behavior in comparison to other kinds of cells. Upon reaching adulthood, the total number of fat cells in the human body remains quite stable.

Weight loss and gain do not occur by adding or reducing fat cells. Rather, it happens when the existing fat cells get smaller or bigger.

In case the patient has excess fat cells in specific sites, such as the thighs, lower belly, or neck, these areas will be challenging to reduce with diet and exercise alone. Additionally, if a person loses weight, all of their fat cells will shrink, not merely in their “problem” areas.

This means that places, where they might appreciate having some volume (such as the breasts), will reduce in size along with the rest of their body when they lose weight. Summarily, their overall proportions will not change much without external intervention.

 

A Helping Hand

Liposuction manually eliminates fat cells from treatment areas. A skilled plastic surgeon can help “even the playing field” by suctioning out excess fat cells in a precise pattern, reducing the total number of fat cells and contouring the area for a more proportional, desirable shape.

Dr. Landon D. McLain provides liposuction cosmetic surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

How long does Liposuction Last?

The good news is that the outcomes of liposuction can last for several years. The fat cells are manually removed, and the body cannot re-grow them. Therefore, these cells are permanently eliminated.

In addition, the patient will not accumulate more fat in the remaining cells in the treated sites if they maintain a stable weight and follow a balanced lifestyle.

It is a common myth that fat cells eliminated from one area will show up in another. While this is untrue, the patient will still need to be vigilant about following a healthy diet and exercise regimen.

 

Liposuction is not a Weight-Loss Procedure

Liposuction can help an individual spot-reduce stubborn fatty deposit relatively fast. However, this is not a free ticket to eat as much as they want! Liposuction is not designed to be a weight-loss procedure, and it does not guarantee that the patient will never put on weight again.

If a person consumes more calories than they burn, they can put weight back on after liposuction. The liposuction treated areas will not regain the same amount of fat as they would have without liposuction.

However, the fat cells that remain in the area will become larger with weight gain, and can potentially “cancel out” the lipo outcomes.

 

How to ensure your Liposuction Outcomes will last

Patients should commit to a healthy lifestyle and make the necessary adjustments to their diet and exercise habits prior to undergoing liposuction. The most satisfied liposuction patients are those who are fit, healthy, and within five to ten pounds of their optimal weight.

In addition, it is vital to understand that long-lasting does not imply forever. The aging process cannot be stopped by any cosmetic procedure. It is normal for an individual’s metabolism to slow down over time and for the body composition to change.

People may notice things about their body that they would like to change years down the road. In such cases, the patient should consult a skilled plastic surgeon to understand their options to touch up their results or mitigate signs of aging.

Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for liposuction cosmetic surgery.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a popular procedure for patients considering body contouring through plastic surgery.

In this surgery, fat is suctioned from targeted body areas to create the desired body shape. Patients typically choose this procedure to achieve a sleeker, more sculpted figure.  

Liposuction is also called “body sculpting,” and is a common procedure to remove fat in the abdomen, buttocks, neck, thighs, and other body areas. While this procedure can eliminate unwanted fat effectively, can it address other body issues, such as cellulite? It is vital for patients seeking a reduction in cellulite to consider this question.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

 

What is cellulite?

There seems to be no real cause for the development of cellulite, and it occurs regardless of the activity level or body type. This frustrating issue affects mostly women and is characterized by the unappealing dimples on the buttocks and thighs which may even be noticeable through certain clothing in severe cases.

Wearing swimsuits and short skirts may be out of the question for women who are self-conscious about their cellulite.

 

Can liposuction remove cellulite?

Cellulite is usually seen as unattractive as it creates a dimpled effect on the hips and other areas of the body. It often develops on the buttock and thigh areas in women. The reason for its development is fat deposits being pushed up on the skin causing an unsightly rippling effect.

An expert cosmetic surgeon can understand the patient’s concerns regarding their cellulite. However, liposuction is not an appropriate procedure for cellulite removal. This surgery will remove fat permanently from the body enhancing its contours. But it will not address cellulite.

It is important to understand the reasons for cellulite development before seeking its treatment. The dimpling effect of cellulite occurs when bands of connective tissue develop beneath the skin, pulling it downwards.

While excess fat can make cellulite look worse, it is not a cause for the appearance of cellulite. Therefore, liposuction on the buttock and thighs can only slightly improve the appearance of cellulite.

The thin skin on the thighs and butt can actually make the cellulite more noticeable. This symptom is more prominent in older women since they tend to have less elastic skin.

Results do offer some indication that laser and ultrasound-assisted liposuction may tighten the skin while removing fat. However, these treatments alone will not be able to eliminate cellulite.

 

How can I get rid of cellulite?

Liposuction is a fat loss procedure, and not meant for the removal of cellulite. There is no official treatment for cellulite removal, but certain things can help individuals mitigate the appearance of cellulite. Exercise may improve the dimpling effect. Weight loss can also help reduce cellulite.

Cellulite is a normal but aesthetically undesirable condition. It is quite common among women, and to some extent, most women have some level of cellulite on their bodies.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for liposuction.
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Liposuction surgery is a way to attain a lean and sculpted body for individuals who are within their ideal weight range but still have stubborn fatty deposits in certain areas.

The final outcomes of liposuction will take time to establish as the procedure involves a recovery period as well as aftercare. Therefore, it is understandable for patients to be concerned about long it will take for the liposuction outcomes to become visible.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Post-Operative Recovery and Results

The initial recovery period after the procedure is around one week. During this period, the patient will likely experience inflammation which will make it difficult to see any outcomes at all.

In order to minimize swelling, it is vital to wear compression garments. The patient should also start light exercise in around one week after the surgery to mitigate the risk of complications. They can resume vigorous exercise in around one month following the surgery.

It may take many months before the patient sees a noticeable change, even after the recovery phase. The individual patient and the body area that received liposuction will determine how soon the patient will notice the results. Some patients experience a difference as early as three months after the procedure while others may see the changes in six months.

In general, it may take up to one year for the final outcomes to manifest. The patient can choose to undergo revision surgery at this point if they so desire.

 

Follow the Surgeon’s Recovery Guidelines

Liposuction permanently eliminates fat pockets. However, the surgical results depend, to a large extent, on the patient. Wearing compression garments can help shape the body and mitigate inflammation. The patient will also need to follow a balanced diet and exercise regimen to prevent the remaining fat cells from getting bigger.

The patient should follow the surgeon’s aftercare guidelines and maintain a healthy lifestyle to experience the outcomes of the liposuction surgery sooner and prevent the fat from coming back.

 

How long until you can exercise?

Within a few days of their liposuction procedure, a majority of patients can resume their exercise regimen. But at the outset, patients should not exercise vigorously.

The patient should ideally start by doing around 25 percent of their regular amount of exercise. After that, they should increase their daily exercise depending on their tolerance.

 

How long will the bruising and inflammation last?

The post-op care technique used by the plastic surgeon typically determines the duration of the inflammation and bruising after liposuction. The level of bruising differs considerably among patients.

The tumescent technique for liposuction used along with the “open-drainage” technique (where the surgeon does not seal the incisions with sutures) reduces the amount of inflammation after the surgery. Most patients who undergo liposuction with the tumescent technique do not have bruising after one to two weeks of the procedure.

 

How long will the inflammation last?

Around 90 percent of the swelling will resolve in four weeks after the liposuction procedure with the open-drainage technique (incisions are not sealed with sutures) and the proper use of compression garments (worn for three to six days).

The inflammation will persist for longer, and around 90 percent of it will resolve after 8 to 12 weeks if the incisions are sealed with sutures (trapping the residual blood-tinged tumescent fluid underneath the skin). The patient may experience significant inflammation for many months with the ultrasonic assisted liposuction (UAL) technique.

Liposuction may be a suitable option for patients with stubborn fatty deposits that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for liposuction.
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Liposuction surgery can provide a more sculpted body shape by removing stubborn fat pockets that do not respond to diet and exercise.

A common question that patients ask surgeons is how much fat they can expect to lose with liposuction surgery. While there are general guidelines on the upper limits of fat removal with liposuction, the final decision is based on the patient’s unique requirements and aesthetic goals.

 

That Most in One Session

The maximum amount of fat that can safely be removed with liposuction is between six to eight pounds (three to four liters). An increase in the volume of fat removal heightens the risks of complications.

If the patient requires more fat removal than six to eight pounds, it is prudent to undergo the liposuction in stages spaced three to four months apart.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Eliminating Larger Amounts of Fat is not Always Appropriate

The best possible results are not always a result of maximum fat removal. Liposuction is meant to enhance the body contours, rather than aid in weight loss. It helps create subtle enhancements in the shape of the body by removing targeted fatty pockets.

In case the patient’s objective is to lose weight, then liposuction is not an appropriate procedure for them. Patients considering liposuction will need to reach their ideal weight range before the surgeon establishes them as suitable candidates for liposuction surgery.

Many patients can achieve desirable results in a safe manner with the elimination of smaller amounts of fat. There is no point in removing 10 to 12 pounds of fat/fluid is the patient can achieve their desired goals in three to four pounds but there is nothing wrong if someone want to lose more than three to four pounds.  

 

Aspects Affecting Fat Removal

• Treatment area
• Overall weight of the patient
• Body shape
• Whether the patient is undergoing liposuction with another procedure

Again, liposuction is not a weight loss procedure and is appropriate for people who are near their optimal weight to develop body contouring results that they have been unable to achieve through diet and exercise alone. A majority of patients can attain satisfactory outcomes with the elimination of a small amount of fat.

 

Risks Associated with Removing Large Amounts of Fat

The removal of substantial amounts of fat with liposuction presents several risks. It may lead to undesirable results such as the development of lumps of the hollow dimpling of the skin. The most crucial reason to avoid excessive fat removal is that it heightens the safety risks for the patient.

In general, liposuction is a very safe surgery. But the risk of complications increases when a substantial amount of fat is removed. Potential complications are as following:

• Accumulation of excess fluid that may affect breathing
• Seroma and hematoma development
• Blood clots
• Adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Infection
• Dehydration-induced shock
• Fat embolism which occurs if a small amount of emulsified fat enters the bloodstream

The removal of substantial amounts of fat makes the procedure more involved and extended as well as increases the recovery duration. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for liposuction.
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

After liposuction, the new body shape will be more or less permanent. In case the patient gains a moderate amount of weight after the surgery, their figure will simply become a larger version of their new body shape.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

 

Post-Liposuction Pregnancy  

Some women may harbor concerns on how a future pregnancy may impact their liposuction outcomes. Generally, patients can feel assured that pregnancy will not alter their body contouring results achieved with liposuction in a permanent manner.

If a woman undergoes a post-liposuction pregnancy and gains weight but loses the weight after the delivery, her original liposuction results will return. A majority of women in such cases will appear as if they have not gone through a post-liposuction pregnancy at all.

Regardless, women candidates for liposuction should be aware that their goal should be to undergo a plastic surgery procedure when they do not intend to become pregnant in the future.

Pregnancy can lead to stretch marks, cellulite, and sagging skin in the buttocks, breast, abdomen, and thigh regions. However, these aesthetic issues are unrelated to liposuction.

Liposuction is a fat loss and body contouring procedure. But it is not a procedure meant to enhance skin texture, remove cellulite or stretch marks, or tighten sagging skin.

 

Liposuction after Final Pregnancy

Numerous pregnancies may cause the development of stubborn fatty deposits in the abdomen area in some women.

Some women may be able to avoid the tummy tuck, which is a more invasive procedure, by choosing liposuction to achieve a taut and more youthful looking abdomen after their final pregnancy.

 

Permanent Fat Cell Reduction

Liposuction plastic surgery eliminates fat cells. These fat cells cannot re-grow once they have been removed. The adult body does not usually produce new fat cells after puberty, even if the person gains a moderate amount of body weight. Therefore, the fat cells that are removed through liposuction are gone for good.

The patient’s new, sleeker figure achieved with liposuction will be permanent in case she does not put on an excessive amount of weight after her pregnancy. However, it is critical to understand that the fat cells that remain in the body after liposuction can grow larger in size if she gains substantial amounts of weight.

In addition, the process of aging will cause normal changes in the body shape over the years. But patients can be confident that the aesthetic benefits of liposuction will always be visible as long as they follow a healthy diet and regular exercise program.

 

When do the Results become Establish?

Most patients will be able to experience 90 percent of their final lipo outcomes in almost three months after the procedure. The post-operative swelling will subside gradually over many months depending on the liposuction technique used and the extent of the surgery.

The complete outcomes of the liposuction will establish after the swelling subsides completely. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for liposuction.
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

After liposuction, the new body contours will be more or less permanent. However, if the patient puts on a moderate amount of body weight (under ten pounds), their new body shape will not be altered significantly. They would simply appear as a slightly bigger version of their new body shape.

The patient can enjoy their new body contours for as long as they do not put on an excessive amount of weight. The natural process of aging will undoubtedly continue to cause changes in the body shape. But the liposuction outcomes will still be visible.

Focused cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations in this standout part of the nation.

 

How Fluctuations in Body Weight Impact the Figure

Ideal liposuction candidates will dedicatedly maintain their body weight even after the procedure and will follow a healthy diet and exercise program.

The weight that an individual gains after liposuction will impact the appearance of their post-liposuction body shape. Ideally, patients should weigh less following lipo by at least the amount of the weight of the fat eliminated.

Effectively, a patient who originally had a body weight of 140 pounds and received liposuction surgery to remove six pounds of fat, should weight around 134 pounds after the procedure.

However, if the patient gains six pounds to weigh 140 pounds a few months after the surgery, the aesthetic results will still be attractive, but marginally sub-optimal.

If a patient puts on an additional 10 pounds to weigh 150 pounds after lipo surgery, the overall outcomes will be adversely impacted to a significant extent. Patients lacking the dedication to maintain stable body weight after liposuction may be better off without undergoing surgery.

A patient must exercise. Just because someone has liposuction does not mean they are immune to gaining weight. The only people who are immune to gaining weight are people with some rare disease which is another subject entirely.

Exercise machines for all sorts of prices are sold on the market. A patient may want to consider buying one of these and putting it in their living room in front of their TV. Now that person can do two things at once: watch a brilliant movie, show, or sporting event and burn calories at the same time.

 

Fat Accumulation after Post-Lipo Weight Gain

If the patient gains a large amount of weight (ten pounds or more) after liposuction, then the body will potentially generate new fat, and this fat must go to different parts of the body. The new fat will typically accumulate in multiple parts of the body proportional to the number of fat cells in each location.

Consequently, the areas which have been treated with liposuction will accumulate relatively lesser fat. But areas that are untreated by lipo will experience more significant fat deposits.

For example, if the patient puts on weight after liposuction of the outer thighs, hips, and abdomen, more of the new fat will go to other sites such as the upper arms, neck, back, breasts, legs, and face.

 

Maintaining Body Weight Post-Lipo

The surgeon will provide the patient with guidelines on following a healthy diet and exercise plan following their liposuction surgery. The patient should only undertake gentle walks within their home during the initial one or two weeks to help enhance blood flow.

They can progressively increase their level of activity in the next two to three weeks but without causing strain to the incisions.

After the incisions heal completely in around one month, the patient can perform more aggressive exercises. They should consume a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruit, and fiber while avoiding processed foods and saturated fats as much as they can.

 

Proven cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other suburbs and communities in The Cotton State for liposuction.
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Most patients will not experience a return of fat cells once they are eliminated with liposuction as long as they maintain stable body weight, or even gain a moderate amount of weight over the years.

The adult body does not usually generate new fat cells. Therefore, liposuction offers patients the benefit of permanent fat loss in the treated areas.

Kind cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Fat Cell Growth with Significant Weight Gain

The remaining fat cells in the treated site will simply grow larger if the patient puts on a moderate amount of weight in the years following liposuction surgery. The existing cell membranes will simply accumulate more fat.

But if the patient gains a substantial amount of weight (ten percent of their body weight or more), it may lead to the development of new fat cells in multiple parts of the body. This may include areas that have been treated with liposuction surgery in the past.

Adults experience an increase in the number of fat cells (lipocytes) on gaining a relatively substantial amount of weight. These fat cells develop from the existing pleuripotential connective tissue cells through a process known as differentiation. This process involves the existing connective tissue cells initially changing into immature fat cells or lipoblasts.

After that, the lipoblasts will gradually develop into mature fat cells as the patient puts on weight progressively. Fortunately, relatively lesser fat accumulates in the liposuction treated areas in comparison to untreated areas.

Therefore, the patient may still continue to experience the body contouring advantages of liposuction to a certain extent, even if they gain a large amount of weight.

 

Safe Volume of Fat Cell Reduction with Liposuction

A skilled surgeon will be careful to adopt a conservative fat removal approach during liposuction surgery. The safe limit for fat removal with liposuction in a single treatment session ranges between six to eight pounds (around three to four liters). This may differ slightly depending on the patient’s body weight, health, fat pockets, and other factors.

In case a higher volume of fat is eliminated in a single session, it could present a higher risk of complications for the patient. But some patients may need fat removal beyond six to eight pounds.

For such patients, the surgeon may choose to perform the liposuction in two or more sessions spaced at least one month apart. Each session would be a separate liposuction surgery.

 

Cosmetic Limitations with Excessive Fat Removal

Other than the health risks associated with excessive fat removal, the patient also faces a higher possibility of the development of loose skin, dimpling, and folds in the treated sites.

Stubborn fat deposits that remain in a specific area for a long period can cause the skin to stretch permanently and become less elastic.

If a significant amount of fat is removed from the region, it can cause the site to deflate and the skin to sag. The surgeon may recommend the patient to undergo a breast lift, body lift, or tummy luck along with liposuction in such cases.

 

Accomplished cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other towns and neighborhoods in this outstanding part of the southeast for liposuction.
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Liposuction continues to rank as a top plastic surgery procedure in the US for nearly three decades. This surgery helps enhance body contours by removing excess fatty tissue pockets in specific areas that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Patients frequently ask if liposuction can also assist them in losing weight, and to what extent. At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the patient should unhesitatingly ask such questions to be able to make an enlightened decision after gaining complete clarity on the potential advantages and limitations of liposuction.

A committed surgeon will offer clear and honest information to the patient on these matters to enable them to make an informed choice. Committed cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities in The Heart of Dixie.

 

Difference between Fat Loss and Weight Loss Procedures

Many patients do not have clarity on the difference between fat loss and weight loss procedures and consider these two procedure types to be the same.

But a fat loss procedure aims to eliminate fatty tissue deposits that in specific areas of the body. These deposits are typically unresponsive to diet and exercise and may cause unappealing bulges that comprise the contours of the body.

In comparison, a weight loss procedure is a solution for obese or overweight candidates who have been experiencing health problems due to their excessive weight. A proven medical procedure to help overweight people reduce a large amount of weight is the bariatric surgery.

Liposuction is a fat loss surgery while bariatric surgery is geared towards weight loss. Cutting-edge techniques that are available today have made liposuction a less invasive body contouring procedure.

In addition, the patient does not have to follow a strict diet plan to achieve effective outcomes from liposuction.

 

Slimmer Appearance with Liposuction

Liposuction aims to reshape the body through fat loss, but it is not a procedure that is meant for weight loss. While weight loss may be relatively easier to accomplish through diet and exercise, stubborn fatty pockets in specific areas are quite challenging to eliminate even with a healthy diet and exercise program.

Liposuction helps enhance body contours making a person appear slimmer. This may create an illusion of weight loss, although it is actually the loss of undesirable fat cells.

 

Fat Loss is Permanent

Liposuction does not aim to offer patients a significant reduction in body weight. However, it provides permanent fat loss. Adults cannot re-grow fat cells once they are removed. But if the patient gains more weight over time, their figure may appear as a larger version of their new body shape attained via liposuction.

This occurs are the remaining fat cells in the body will become larger if the patient puts on weight. To maintain the benefits of liposuction, patients should follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen in the long-term.

 

Skilled and knowledgeable cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other communities and suburbs in this marvelous region of the country for liposuction.
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

After liposuction surgery, the patient’s new figure will be more or less permanent. Even if the patient gains a moderate amount of weight following the surgery, their figure will merely become a slightly larger version of their new body shape.

Reliable cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations in the Yellowhammer State.

 

Permanent Reduction in Fat Cells

The benefit of liposuction is that the fat cells will not re-grow once they have been removed. The human body does not usually produce new fat cells after puberty, even when a person gains a moderate amount of weight. This means that the fat cells removed with liposuction are eliminated for good.

The new, sleeker body that a patient achieves through liposuction will be permanent as long as they do not gain a substantial amount of weight. But the patient should note that the fat cells that remain in the body following lipo can grow bigger in size if they put on a significant amount of weight.

In addition, the natural process of aging will cause normal changes in the shape of the body over the years. However, the patients can be assured that the cosmetic advantages of lipo will always sustain as long as they maintain a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

 

Pregnancy Effects after a Liposuction Surgery

Some women may want to understand the impact of a future pregnancy on the results of their liposuction surgery. Most patients can be confident that a post-liposuction pregnancy will not permanently affect their body contouring outcomes.

If a woman becomes pregnant and gains weight after liposuction, but subsequently loses the extra weight gained during the pregnancy after the delivery, the original outcomes of her liposuction will return.

Ideally, female lipo candidates should choose to undergo plastic surgery when they do not have plans to conceive in the future. Pregnancy can lead to cellulite, stretch marks, and sagging skin in the breast, butt, abdomen, and thigh areas. These aesthetic concerns are not related to liposuction.  

Liposuction is a procedure meant for fat reduction and body contouring to enhance the shape of the body, but it does not have a major effect on the quality of skin texture, cellulite or stretch mark removal, or tightening of loose skin.

 

Liposuction after Final Pregnancy

Certain women may develop stubborn fatty pockets in the abdominal area due to multiple pregnancies. In case a candidate chooses to undergo liposuction after her final pregnancy, she can expect dramatic enhancements in the shape of her abdomen.

With liposuction after their last pregnancy, many female patients may be able to avoid an abdominoplasty, which is a relatively more invasive plastic surgery.

 

When do the Outcomes become Visible?

A majority of patients will be able to accomplish 90 percent of their final liposuction results in around three months after the procedure. The post-op inflammation will resolve slowly, which may take several months depending on the type of liposuction technique used and the extent of the surgery.

After the inflammation resolves completely, the patient can view the full and final outcomes of their liposuction surgery. Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and other suburbs and cities in this supreme part of the US for liposuction.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.