The Irony of Liposuction’s Popularity
There may be no procedure that requires more skill and experience to perform beautifully than liposuction. Ironically, since this cosmetic surgery option is so well-known and desirable these days, patients sometimes think it’s ok to go to just about any doctor or clinic for the procedure.
What’s more, given the popularity of liposuction, many doctors who aren’t board certified in plastic surgery (dermatologists, gynecologists and others) have gotten into the game, sometimes with an array of fancy equipment. And patients often don’t realize the risks of choosing such a provider.
You need to work with a surgeon who is board certified in plastic surgery, who has deep experience with liposuction and who is accomplished with the cannula. Look for a practice like ours in New York, where liposuction is a tried and true specialty. Here’s why:
• Trained plastic surgeons know the whole body.
Board certified plastic surgeons are trained in the anatomy of the whole body, not just one part like the skin or the reproductive system, and they know how structures work together. A good example we’ve used in the past is the back of the thigh where it meets the rear end. Seasoned plastic surgeons will know not to remove too much fat from the upper thigh or the buttocks may sag.
• Experienced cosmetic surgeons understand male and female differences.
Not only do men tend to seek body contouring for different areas than women do, male tissue is often denser than in females. This is a good area you might probe with a prospective cosmetic surgeon, “What’s your experience with male vs. female fat tissue? Do you approach liposuction differently for men than for women?” Read more about this and find out about our approach on our New York liposuction page.
• Those who are skilled with the cannula know what sculpting means.
When a doctor is adept at liposuction, he or she knows what it means to sculpt tissue under the skin. The goal is to eliminate fat pockets, while leaving a thin, even layer of fat just under the skin. That means skin will lie flat after healing, with none of the hills and valleys that are a sign of an inexperienced provider. It also means the skin won’t adhere to muscle underneath, creating a pucker.
• The ability to recognize the stopping point is the “art” of liposuction.
Choose a board certified plastic surgeon who will help make the right decisions for your physique. You may long for the tiny, nipped in waist that’s popular for women right now, but while the cannula can banish belly pooches, it can’t re-engineer your shape. Similarly, if you’re a bigger guy hoping for a slimmer torso, liposuction can address love handles and perhaps extra fat around your upper chest. But a skilled doctor will know how to keep proportions in mind and not cause an unnatural, lopsided result. Look for a liposuction specialist who will be honest with you about these aspects of the procedure.
Avoid Liposuction Revision
Here’s one more reason to avoid working with someone who perhaps has just taken weekend courses in liposuction: do-overs are challenging. We perform many liposuction revision operations in New York each year and we can usually make a poor result look much better. But due to the formation of scar tissue and possible uneven fat tissue, it’s preferable to get liposuction right the first time.
We know you can sign up for liposuction just about anywhere today. But we still believe that getting a terrific outcome is worth traveling for. If you’d like to have liposuction in New York with us, we’d be delighted. Send us a message today!
Photo by Liza Summer from Pexels
