Three Common Myths about Liposuction
As time goes on, it becomes harder to shed extra fat. Despite diet and exercise, metabolism slows down with age. If you have pockets of fat that simply won’t go away even though you live a healthy lifestyle, liposuction may be a great choice for you.
Naturally, anyone considering liposuction should have many questions: What should I look for in a doctor? Can liposuction help me lose weight? Will I need to take weeks off work for recovery? And so on. All the questions can become overwhelming, and cause many people to feel unsure.
That’s why we have put together the following list of three myths or misperceptions about liposuction. We seek to answer your questions, dispel the rumors, and set the record straight.
Myth #1: I’m Good to go as Long as my Doctor is Board-Certified
Finding a qualified plastic surgeon is one of the most important parts of scheduling any procedure, from liposuction to a facelift. Here’s what you need to know:
There are many certification boards, but there is only one that holds the highest level of certification and qualification for a plastic surgeon. That’s why you should never take the claim “board certified” at face value. Instead, do a little digging.
The highest level of certification for plastic surgeons is through the ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery). Make sure your prospective doctor has this certification.
But don’t stop there! ABPS certification is just the minimum requirement for a good doctor. You also want to look for the following qualities:
Frequent Performance of the Desired Procedure
In other words, if you would like to schedule liposuction, you need to find a doctor who frequently performs liposuction, rather than someone who has limited experience with the procedure.
Before and After Photos
Ask to see the doctors before and after photos. Seeing their real-life results can show you whether or not this doctor has good judgment and artistry in surgery. You may review Dr. K’s before and after photos here.
Reviews
Learn what other people are saying about the doctor. Look especially to reputable third party websites where patients can leave reviews. Click here to read some reviews about Dr. K.
Connection
You want a doctor that you feel comfortable with, someone who listens to you, and whom you trust. You will only know if you have this connection after meeting and talking with the doctor.
As you can see, there’s a whole lot more to consider than just board certification!
Myth #2: Liposuction Will Help me Lose Weight
This is one of the biggest myths surrounding liposuction. Many people think, “I can’t lose weight, so liposuction would be a great solution!”
Not so fast. Liposuction simply does not work well for people who are overweight. Rather, it is an effective treatment for people who are close to their ideal body weight, but who have stubborn pockets of fat that won’t respond to diet or exercise.
Let’s say you are within 15% of your ideal weight, and you have a big event coming up — a class reunion or fundraiser ball. Although you live a healthy lifestyle, you want to be a little slimmer and have a more distinct body contour before wearing your new, form-hugging outfit to the event. That’s when liposuction could be an effective choice for you.
Myth #3: Liposuction is Painful and Requires Weeks of Recovery Time
Many people assume that liposuction is going to hurt a lot, and requires significant downtime. That couldn’t be further from the truth!
If a small to moderate amount of liposuction is being performed, one can typically return to work within 24-48 hours of the procedure, and resume strenuous activity (such as aerobic exercise) within 1-2 weeks.
On a similar note, many people have minimal to no pain following the procedure — depending on the amount of liposuction and where on the body it is performed.
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications, but for healthy people without major medical problems, liposuction is considered very safe. Small volumes of liposuction can be completed right in your plastic surgeon’s office under local anesthesia.
So, if you want an excuse to take vacation time after your lipo, by all means, do. But it’s unlikely you’ll have to.
We hope this information helps put your mind at ease as you consider liposuction in the new year. Be smart about liposuction. Do your research and find a good doctor, so you can get results you love.
Additional Reading on Liposuction
- Smartlipo Triplex™ Laser Liposuction
- What is SmartLipo?
- What should I look for before and after photos?
- Am I a good candidate for liposuction?
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about liposuction contact us at K Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kayastha Board Certified Plastic Surgeon located in Albany, NY.
Dr. Kayastha is a board certified plastic surgeon who serves Albany, NY and the entire Capital Region. Dr. Kayastha completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University and graduated with distinction in all subjects. He then attended medical school at SUNY Buffalo. During his time in Buffalo he also completed a fellowship in surgical pathology at Roswell Park. Following medical school Dr. Kayastha gained a much sought after position in the Michigan State-Grand Rapids integrated plastic surgery residency. After finishing residency training Dr. Kayastha completed a one year fellowship in hand and microsurgery at the Buncke Clinic in San Francisco. To round out his training before starting private practice Dr. Kayastha spent an additional 6 months learning from some of the best cosmetic surgeons in San Francisco. Dr. Kayastha is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.