Should I Try to Lose Weight Before Liposuction?

Many of us desire to have a toned and sculpted figure, but sometimes, stubborn areas of fat can get in the way of our aesthetic goals, which is why liposuction has become so popular. Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that permanently eliminates fat pockets in areas where they stick around, such as your hips, thighs, abdomen, face, and arms. 

However, it’s important to note that, under no circumstances is liposuction a weight-loss tool. Instead, it should be one of the last steps in a weight-loss journey. If you’re within 15 pounds of your ideal body weight, you can be considered a candidate for liposuction. 

At Ayewah Aesthetics in the Midtown West neighborhood of New York City, New York, board-certified cosmetic surgeon Martha Ayewah, DO, and the rest of our team offer VASER® liposuction to assist in contouring your body as you reach your goal body weight.

This month’s blog focuses on what you need to know before getting VASER liposuction. 

So, what exactly is liposuction?

Everyone’s body is different, and sometimes even the best diet and exercise routine can’t eliminate stubborn areas of fat. Liposuction addresses this by eliminating those pesky fat deposits lingering underneath your skin. 

There are various liposuction methods, and they break apart and remove the fat in different ways. While some use saline solutions or lasers to destroy the fat cells, VASER liposuction uses powerful ultrasonic waves. 

VASER is an acronym for vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance. It stands out from other liposuction techniques since it allows Dr. Ayewah to be precise in fat cell destruction and gentle on surrounding tissue. 

What happens during VASER liposuction?

Before getting liposuction, Dr. Ayewah sits with you to discuss your goals. She can help determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure and talk through any other necessary steps you need to take first. Liposuction may not be a good option if you still have a significant amount of weight to lose or excess skin from dramatic weight loss. 

If Dr. Ayewah gives you the green light for liposuction, you can prepare by making sure you stop smoking and avoid taking blood thinning medication before your procedure.

On the day of your liposuction procedure, Dr. Ayewah starts by administering anesthesia to keep you comfortable. She then makes a few small incisions and inserts a tube that sends the ultrasonic pulses. After the fat cells are broken apart and liquified, she removes them with a cannula tool. 

You may experience bruising and swelling around the procedure site as your body heals. Wearing a compression garment can help with the recovery process, and you can expect to see the full results about 3-6 months after your procedure.

To learn if liposuction might be a good fit for you, schedule an appointment with us by calling our office at 607-600-6506 or using our online booking feature today.