Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat from specific areas of your body. It’s a popular option for common “trouble spots,” like the stomach, thighs, and hips — but is it the same as losing weight the old-fashioned way?
The answer is no. While liposuction removes fat from your body, it’s not the same as weight loss, and it’s not a substitute for weight loss. Instead, it can complement a healthy lifestyle to help you contour your body and shed stubborn pockets of fat.
Walter D. Gracia, MD, PA, is a Fort Worth, Texas, plastic surgeon. He and our surgical team specialize in liposuction and other cosmetic body procedures. This blog explains why liposuction can’t replace weight loss and how to decide if liposuction is a good option for you.
Weight loss vs. liposuction: the key differences
Weight loss and liposuction are two different things. Weight loss refers to losing excess body weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise. When you lose weight, you lose fat fairly evenly throughout your body.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat from specific places in your body. While the goal of weight loss is to reduce the overall amount of body fat you have, the goal of liposuction is to contour your body by removing specific pockets of stubborn fat.
Weight loss is important in improving your overall health and reducing your risk of complications, like diabetes and heart disease. Liposuction, on the other hand, is a cosmetic procedure that’s not medically necessary, and people choose to undergo liposuction for aesthetic purposes.
Liposuction isn’t a weight loss solution. The procedure can only remove a limited amount of fat, and Dr. Gracia can’t use it to target every area of your body. Because of its limitations, liposuction can’t address any underlying health issues or lower your risk of obesity-related conditions.
Are you a good candidate for liposuction?
Liposuction isn’t a substitute for weight loss, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any benefits. Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries available — and for a good reason.
Liposuction targets specific areas of fat to contour your body. Dr. Gracia recommends it for people close to their ideal body weight, but who are bothered by stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to healthy diet and exercise.
It’s crucial to have realistic expectations when considering liposuction, and our team is available to discuss the benefits and limitations of the procedure with you. As an experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Gracia can help you determine if liposuction is a good option for you.
Liposuction permanently eliminates fat cells, but gaining weight in the future can negatively affect the procedure results. If you gain weight, your remaining fat cells will expand, and you could lose the contours you achieved with liposuction.
If you’re curious about how liposuction could help you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gracia to learn more. You can call our office at (817) 336-9450 or request an online appointment. to get started.