Achieving your body contouring goals and shedding stubborn body fat can feel like a near-impossible feat with diet and exercise alone. It may be time to consider liposuction if your healthy lifestyle is not targeting the places you want.

Dr. Stephanie Teotia is a board-certified plastic surgeon offering innovative aesthetic solutions to patients in Dallas and the neighboring communities. Her expertise and surgical partnership can help you accomplish your goals and feel confident about your figure.

What Is Liposuction, and How Does It Work?

Liposuction is the secret weapon to slimming and reshaping specific areas of your body. Dr. Teotia will make tiny incisions in the targeted area, then insert a thin tube called a cannula and use it to break up and suction out excess fat deposits. Eliminating excess fat will reveal your body’s natural contours with minimal discomfort and recovery time. 

How Much Fat Can I Have Removed With Liposuction?

Liposuction is not a procedure designed to help people lose a drastic amount of weight. The best candidates are healthy adults with a BMI of 30 or lower who need help with specific trouble spots. For safety reasons, Dr. Teotia will only remove six to eight pounds of fat with liposuction. More than this heightens the risk of complications. Therefore, you should expect a realistic size reduction for your body shape. 

What Factors Affect Weight Loss in Liposuction?

Factors that can affect weight loss in liposuction patients include:

• If you are having liposuction in a smaller area like your calves, chin, or ankles, you likely will not see a weight change compared to those who get liposuction on their abdomen, thighs, or buttocks.
• Since muscle is denser than fat, you may not see a dramatic increase in your body weight if you regularly weight train and are in excellent physical shape. Remember, the primary goal of liposuction is to improve your shape and contour, not necessarily achieve a lower number on the scale.
• If you combine a tummy tuck with your liposuction, you may see a more significant weight loss due to the excess skin removed in this procedure.

Is Liposuction a Permanent Weight Loss Solution?

Yes, liposuction is a permanent weight loss solution. Everyone is born with a set number of fat cells. When you gain weight, these existing fat cells do not increase; instead, they grow larger. When you lose weight, these fat cells shrink down to their original size.

The fat cells Dr. Teotia removes through liposuction are gone for good. However, the remaining fat cells in the area can still expand and grow with weight gain. So, while there is no chance of the removed fat cells returning, you must still work to maintain your results with a sensible, consistent workout and nutrition plan.

What Are the Risks and Limitations of Liposuction for Weight Loss?

Liposuction has a long track record of safety and reliability when performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Teotia. Still, removing substantial amounts of fat with liposuction presents several risks. Cosmetically, it can lead to unnatural-looking results such as the development of lumps or dimples. Removing too much fat can also increase your chances of experiencing potential complications like these.

• Fluid accumulation
• Hematoma or seroma development
• Blood clots
• Infection
• Dehydration, which can lead to shock
• Fat embolism, which occurs when a small amount of fat enters the bloodstream

How to Prepare for Liposuction to Maximize Weight Loss

If your BMI is above 30, Dr. Teotia may ask you to lose weight before getting liposuction. Patients who are already at or near their ideal body weight can optimize their results with these tips.

• Eat healthy: Give your body the fuel it needs to heal quickly and effectively.
• Get active: Keep moving and maintain your usual workout routine to promote good circulation. Do not try to change things up too much before your procedure to prevent your body from going into shock.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water will flush harmful toxins from your body, which will help you recover faster.

What Should You Expect After a Liposuction Procedure?

Initial bruising and swelling can make the treated area appear temporarily larger than it did before surgery. To promote healing and recovery, we recommend taking three days to a week off work. Dr. Teotia will provide you with compression garments to wear for six weeks after surgery to reduce swelling and support your new contours.

Be patient and do not rush your healing process. You can expect your results to continue improving for six to eight weeks after your surgery.

How Does Liposuction Compare to Other Weight Loss Methods?

Though liposuction is extremely effective at reducing stubborn fat deposits, it is not a substitute for a healthy diet and consistent exercise. Liposuction removes targeted fat from one area at a time, whereas fitness and nutrition are the best ways to improve your physical and mental well-being.

Are there Any Alternatives to Liposuction for Weight Loss?

While you may have read about non-invasive fat reduction treatments like CoolSculpting, they do not compare to the efficiency of liposuction. CoolSculpting uses controlled freezing to destroy fat cells, but requires multiple treatment sessions to achieve your desired results. In contrast, liposuction only requires one procedure, allowing you to flaunt your improved figure after a brief recovery period.

How Can You Maintain Your Weight After Liposuction?

You have just invested money in liposuction and love your results. Now, how do you maintain your contours and stay at a healthy body weight?

• Prepare balanced meals with plenty of fresh produce, lean protein, and whole grains.
• Don’t skip meals. Staying on a schedule will help you avoid cravings that might cause you to reach for unhealthy snacks.
• Limit your intake of processed foods.
• Stay away from sugary beverages like soda and energy drinks. Drink plenty of water instead.
• Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily.
• Limit your stress and prioritize sleep.

Schedule Your Liposuction Consultation With Dr. Teotia Today!

Dr. Teotia strives to deliver unparalleled and natural-looking liposuction results. Her customized and highly personalized approach empowers patients to renew their unique aesthetic self-confidence.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about liposuction with Dr. Teotia in Flower Mound, TX.