A common thought is that liposuction is a weight loss procedure – which it isn’t. Liposuction is a fat removal procedure that provides targeted body contouring. If you’re wondering how much weight loss occurs with liposuction, it’s usually less than 5 pounds. But even though liposuction is not for weight loss, getting liposuction can make it look as though you have lost weight because the procedure strategically eliminates fat from trouble areas like your lower belly, hips, thighs, or upper arms.

Liposuction and Weight Loss

We live in a society that is obsessed with body weight and the number on the scale. Thousands of people step on their bathroom scale every day, hoping to see a lower number than they saw yesterday because they’ve been working really hard on their diet and exercise regimen. If that number hasn’t budged – or if it has increased – it can be incredibly discouraging.

But there is an important point to consider here. When you step on a scale, the number that appears is the combined weight of all your bones, muscles, fat, and organs. It’s entirely possible for you to lose 3 pounds of fat but gain 3 pounds of muscle, and the number on the scale would remain the same. It would seem as though your physical activity and/or dieting aren’t doing anything when in fact they are – your body is growing stronger and converting excess fat into fuel. You are losing fat, which is what people usually want to achieve with weight loss.

Liposuction and Fat Loss

When people want to lose weight, what they usually mean is that they want to lose excess fat. This is where liposuction comes in.

Liposuction is a customized procedure that surgically eliminates unwanted fat. Individuals identify their trouble areas, which can be nearly anywhere on the body, and liposuction is performed on each trouble area to suction away excess fat cells. Afterward, the treated areas will appear smoother, flatter, and slimmer.

This is why some people believe liposuction is for weight loss. Since it eliminates localized fat from stubborn areas, liposuction gives the impression of weight loss without technically being a weight loss surgery. The number on your bathroom scale may not change significantly, but the deliberate removal of fat from trouble areas creates leaner contours and a shapelier figure that will appear to have lost weight.

If you are looking for weight loss surgery, liposuction is not the solution; seek out a bariatric surgeon to discuss your options. But if you’re interested in getting rid of stubborn body fat and having a slimmer figure, liposuction could be the answer! Liposuction can help you lose fat and give you the body contours you desire.

To schedule your consultation for liposuction today, contact Dr. Joyce Aycock online or by calling 720-634-7400.