By As much as we tend to think that true beauty comes from the inside, we cannot ignore the fact that our outlook plays a part too. Especially for a body shape that pleases our aesthetic sense such as sight.
The wonders of losing fats with only the prick of a needle.
Of course, the definition of a perfect figure varies among people but there’s no reason to stop yourself from getting the perfect figure that you want, is there? So we eat healthy, exercise, get enough rest.
But despite all, we sometimes still can’t get our body to look the way we want it to. Why so?
Because we have stubborn areas of fat which cannot be reduced or removed by dieting and exercising. Well, everyone has them. Some a little, while others, more than others.
But before you despair, there is a way to remove those stubborn fats. Sometimes it is hard to overcome it through efforts alone so you will need professional help. How? Let’s find out more, shall we?
What is liposuction surgery?
Imagine this. Stubborn fats, which cannot be burned away through dieting or exercising, being removed by a day. Sounds like a miracle? Nope, its just advanced medical technology called liposuction.
Liposuction surgery, aka body contouring surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that removes those stubborn fats using a suction technique. It is technically not a weight loss program but rather a body sculpting procedure.
In fact, a good liposuction surgeon does not remove all fats but rather, remove just the right amount of fats to contour your body the way you want it.
Liposuction results are permanent, but of course, you will need to maintain your new figure and weight by eating healthily and exercising. If you continue overeating without a healthy lifestyle, you will soon be needing another liposuction session soon!
Are you a candidate for liposuction?
You are a candidate for liposuction if you have too much body fat yet have a stable body weight. And of course, you will need to be in good health too. The ideal candidate is one whose body weight is within 30% of their ideal weight, has firm and elastic skin, and is in good health.
You might not be the ideal candidate for body contouring surgery if you have more muscles than fats, have droopy skin, or have visceral fats. So do consult your plastic surgeon to find out if you are suitable.
If you have existing heart problems, diabetes, blood flow problems or have a weak immune system, we do not recommend that you get liposuction at all.
On which areas can liposuction be done?
The best thing about liposuction is that it can be done just about anywhere in your body! It can be targeted to remove stubborn fats in specific areas of your body. However, liposuction does not remove cellulite nor stretch marks, if you have any that is. Here are the common areas where you can do liposuction:
1. Cheek liposuction
- Targeted to remove chubby cheeks
- Entry point and incision either at the side of your cheeks or sideburn areas.
2. Chin liposuction
- Targeted to remove double chins
- Entry point and incision either behind your ears or tip of chin
3. Upper arms liposuction
- Targeted to remove flabby arms
- Entry point and incision at your elbow
4. Armpit liposuction
- Targeted to remove armpit fats (extra fold of skin between your arm and breasts)
- Entry point and incision at the back side of your armpits
5. Breast liposuction
- Mainly for men who wish to remove their man boobs
- Entry point and incision at the front of your armpits
6. Upper abdomen (stomach) liposuction
- Targeted to remove your stomach fats
- Entry point and incision at your belly button
7. Lower abdomen (belly) liposuction
- Targeted to remove belly fats
- Entry point and incision at your panty line on both left and right side
8. Love handles liposuction
- Targeted to remove fats at your hips
- Entry point and incision at the side of your upper butt on both left and right side
9. Back liposuction
- Targeted to remove fats on your back
- Entry point and incision either at your lower back or the back side of your armpits
10. Hip liposuction
- Targeted to remove fats at your hip area
- Entry point and incision below for butt cheek on both right and left side
11. Butt liposuction
- Targeted to remove fats on your butt cheeks
- Entry point and incision in the middle of your butt
12. Thigh liposuction
- Targeted to remove fats on your thighs
- Entry point and incision either behind below your butt cheeks or in front near your panty line
13. Knee liposuction
- Targeted to remove fats on knees
- Very often done together with thigh liposuction
- Entry point and incision is the same as thigh liposuction
How is liposuction done in Korea?
All types of liposuction techniques involve small incisions being made in the targeted areas where you want the fats removed. The most commonly used technique in Korea is tumescent liposuction.
First, a cannula will be inserted into the incision in order to reach the fat layers. Then tumescent fluid will be injected in under your skin.
After the fluid takes effect, the fluid, along with those stubborn fat cells, will be sucked out through the cannula by using a vacuum pump.
If you are planning to remove a large amount of fats, you are advised to take iron supplements, for about a week before and after surgery. The iron supplements will make up for the loss of blood that you will experience, especially if you have anemia. But even if you don’t, the supplements will help prevent you from being anemic.
However, you must know that goal of body contouring surgery is not to remove as much fat as possible, but rather to remove fats in the most even way possible. Because if too much fat is removed, it could lead to uneven looking and dented skin.
Liposuction + fat grafting
If you are going to get liposuction, you might want to consider putting those extracted fats to good use! It is very common for those who undergo liposuction to use the extracted fats for fat grafting. Fat grafting can help you:
- Look younger by restoring volume on your face with facial fat grafting
- Enhance and contour your buttocks with brazilian butt lift
- Get bigger breasts with breast augmentation by fat grafting
- Rejuvenate wrinkled and bony hand with hand fat grafting
Pros & cons of liposuction
As with any treatments or surgical procedure, liposuction has its pros and cons. Though its pros are known to outweigh its cons, it is not without any risks. Liposuction works best for people with good skin elasticity and in good health. For those whose skin lacks elasticity, be careful about how much fats you extract otherwise you could end up with droopy skin.
The most important thing is to make sure that your surgeon does not exceed the amount of fats allowed to be removed in a day. Removing too much fats in a day could result in fatal complications, especially if you are super obese and in bad health. Read our article on pros and cons of liposuction for more details.
What happens to your skin after liposuction?
As mentioned earlier, if you do not have good skin elasticity, your skin could end up saggy. And it also depends how much fats is removed as well.
Because when liposuction is done, skin tissues under your skin is destroyed and needs time to fully heal. Until then, you might experience indentation, bumps, hardness or soreness. Sometimes it can take months to heal, especially if your body is slow to heal.
Especially for those you are obese, droopy skin is inevitable. For example, if you have big belly, you might need to get a tummy tuck as well to get rid of the excess skin left behind.
How long does liposuction surgery take?
Body contouring surgery in Korea usually lasts 2~3 hours and is performed under local anesthesia so you will not feel any pain. Sometimes if you are too fat, you might need to do the surgery for your upper and lower body separately.
Because there is a limited volume of fats that could be removed in a day, before your body gets serious medical complications. So, make sure to get a good plastic surgeon!
When can I see results from liposuction surgery?
Instantaneous results, though bruising and swelling might last up to 1 week. And you might experience soreness or hardness or numbing sensations at the areas where liposuction is done. Also, you should wear a compression garment for the areas where liposuction is done for at least 1~3 months. This will help maintain your new body shape while your skin and body heals.
Sometimes, plastic surgery clinics tend to offer free high frequency toning treatment or fraxel treatments (about 3~4 times) as part of the body contouring package. These treatments help make your skin and tissues smoother, reduce bumps, boost healing and reduce scarring and pigmentation.
Do take note that the success of your liposuction surgery not only lies in the hands of your surgeon but also how you well you recover after surgery. Learn how to properly care for your body by reading our article on liposuction aftercare and post-op instructions.
Actual recovery time vary among individuals, and is subjected to one’s health condition & healing response.
How long should I stay in Korea?
Hospitalization is not required for body contouring surgery. But there is minimal stitching at where your fats are extracted. So, do stay until your stitches are removed and go shopping in the meantime!
Stitch removal
Stitches are usually removed 10 days after surgery.
Cautions on stitch removal
If you remove the stitches earlier then advised, your wound might reopen, causing an infection. And if you remove it too late, you risk further scarring and pigmentation.
Don’t rush the recovery procedure for best results!
Sometimes due to time constraints, you might consider having your stitches removed at the local hospitals in your home country. Although that is possible (but not recommended), it depends on how well you have been healing and is also subjected to doctor’s approval.
Liposuction surgery VS fat dissolving injections
There is no doubt liposuction is more effective than fat dissolving injections. Especially when you have a lot of stubborn fats. And there is a limit to how much excess fats fat dissolving injections can treat. Unless you do not have much fats and/or prefer a non-invasive method, we would advise you to go for liposuction instead.
What other surgery complements liposuction?
1. Fat grafting
By putting the fats extracted from liposuction unto your face, fat grafting can restore volume to your face, making you look younger!
2. Breast augmentation
The fats extracted from your liposuction session can be used for fat grafting breast augmentation as well. It’s one of the safest and effective method used for getting bigger breasts.
3. Abdominoplasty
Also known as a tummy tuck, it is suitable for those who wants to get rid of their droopy belly skin after liposuction or pregnancy.
4. Arm lift surgery
Suitable for those who have too much flabby skin after liposuction.
Conclusion
Everyone has stubborn areas of fat which cannot be reduced or removed by dieting and exercising. Therefore sometimes, professional help is needed.
Though there shouldn’t be anything stopping you from achieving the perfect figure which you want, do note that body contouring surgery might not be the best option to treat obesity. You will need a healthy lifestyle and good dieting plans as well.
In that way, you can not only maintain the results from liposuction, but also have a healthy lifestyle.
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What do you think?