Nearly everyone strives to have a thin, fit body. For some people (the genetically fortunate), diet and exercise alone are enough to achieve this goal. However, for others, these simply aren’t enough. Despite a person’s best efforts, excess weight may persist. There may be stubborn pockets of fat in certain areas, or excess weight may be distributed all around the body.

Those who struggle with their weight and body shape may turn to surgical treatment for help. Many such patients come to us seeking liposuction to help them attain their desired body shape. In some cases, these patients have a lot of weight to lose, and want to use liposuction to achieve this.

Although liposuction provides great results in certain cases, there are limits on how it can be used. It’s useful to be aware of what liposuction can and can’t do, so you can decide whether it would make sense in your case. If liposuction isn’t the right answer, there are other surgical options.

Liposuction

Liposuction is the surgical removal of particular pockets of fat. A surgical instrument is inserted under the skin, and is then used to remove the fat from the body. In the first generation of liposuction instruments, this was a simple cannula (or small tube), through which suction was applied to remove the fat. More advanced systems use techniques such as the infusion of fluid into the tissues to facilitate fat removal, or the use of ultrasound or laser energy to liquefy the fat before it’s removed. Dr. Miles prefers an advanced system that uses a reciprocating motion to facilitate the movement of the cannula through tissue while requiring less force on the part of the surgeon. Using this system, his patients have great results with less discomfort.

Liposuction is recommended for the removal of stubborn pockets of fat that resist attempts to remove them through diet and exercise. However, it is not an overall weight-loss method. Liposuction cannot safely be used broadly on all or most of the body, but rather is intended to be focused on specific areas. Good candidates for liposuction are those who are within 25 pounds of their ideal body weight, but still have certain areas where they aren’t satisfied with their body shape. If you need to lose weight overall, it’s recommended that you do this prior to having liposuction.

Therefore, although liposuction does remove fat, it is not a weight-loss surgery. However, for people who need to lose a lot of weight, there is a surgical method that can help you to achieve this. It’s called bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery, often known as “weight-loss surgery,” is intended for people who are very overweight. Rather than removing fat directly, this type of procedure alters the digestive tract. It may change how much a person can eat, how much food can be absorbed by the body, or both. Those who have bariatric surgery often lose 100 pounds or more in the months following the procedure.

Bariatric surgery is usually done by specialized bariatric surgeons. In general, a plastic surgeon doesn’t do this type of procedure. If you need to lose a lot of weight, and want to consider bariatric surgery, Dr. Miles can refer you to a trusted colleague who does these procedures.

Body lift after bariatric surgery

However, plastic surgeons are often involved in the care of patients who have bariatric surgery. After the significant weight loss that follows bariatric surgery, many patients are left with a bothersome amount of excess skin. (The same problem often occurs in people who achieve a significant weight loss through other means.) Having gone through so much to achieve a thinner, fitter body, it can be distressing to find that the body looks saggy and doesn’t fit well into clothing. The excess sagging skin will not respond to exercise and diet.

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The only way to solve the problem of excess skin is through body contouring surgery, sometimes referred to as a “body lift.” This may be targeted to any part(s) of the body where it’s needed, and each procedure is personalized. During your consultation, Dr. Miles will talk with you about your concerns, and offer recommendations about your body lift.

It’s recommended that you reach a weight loss plateau before you have your body lift, which means that you’ll need to wait at least a year after having bariatric surgery. If you have your body contouring procedure too soon, and you continue to lose weight, then you will likely end up with even more sagging skin, and will need a second procedure to remove it.

Talk with Dr. Miles about liposuction Charlotte

Liposuction is one of the more popular procedures offered at the Charlotte, NC, office of Dr. Erik Miles. If you’re considering liposuction Charlotte, contact us to schedule an appointment to learn more about this procedure.

If you have had bariatric surgery, or have lost a significant amount of weight in another way, we congratulate you. To learn more about having a body lift to finally achieve the toned body you’ve worked so hard for, schedule an appointment to talk with Dr. Miles.