Liposuction is consistently one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States and worldwide. Designed to help men and women get rid of stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise, liposuction is best suited for people who are already in good physical shape and close to their ideal body weight.
If there are areas of the body you would like to be slimmer and more toned looking, our board-certified plastic surgeons in Baltimore can help you achieve your ideal figure.
What Does Liposuction Do?
Before considering where on the body liposuction can be performed, let’s examine the goals of this procedure and the kind of results patients can expect. Liposuction is not meant to replace bariatric surgery, diet, exercise, or other weight loss methods — most patients seldom lose more than a few pounds by having liposuction.
Liposuction surgery targets those pockets of excess body fat located under the skin, above the muscle layer. If you have a stable body weight and choose to have this procedure, the result will be a slimmer, smoother, and more contoured figure that dieting and exercise alone could not produce.
Areas of the Body Where Liposuction Can Be Performed
Because liposuction surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that removes fat that lies just below the skin, it can be applied to many areas of the body.
Around the Waist
Often called “love handles,” or in men, “male flanks,” the sides of the waist are one of the most requested areas for liposuction. The unsightly bulges in this area are notoriously difficult to remove without assistance, and by eliminating these “love handles,” patients can achieve a more defined, contoured waistline.
Abdomen
As we age or after having children, there are two areas on our abdomen where fat accumulates and is difficult to lose:
- Upper abdomen – the area between the navel and the ribs
- Lower abdomen – the area below the navel
Removing fat from these two areas with liposuction can eliminate the “muffin top” and provide a slimmer silhouette and a flatter tummy.
Hips and Buttocks
For a more defined shape that smooths the curves around the hips and buttocks, liposuction can remove the excess fat deposits causing dimples and bulges.
Chest
Chest liposuction is more commonly sought by men than women. Men who have lost muscle mass due to the aging process or those who suffer from gynecomastia may look to liposuction to remove excess, unwanted fat.
Back
Many women are self-conscious about how they look from behind, especially if they have excess fat pushed over or under where their bra rests. Liposuction in this area can contribute to a smoother outline and a firmer shape.
Face
Patients who want to reduce excess neck or cheek fat can also opt for liposuction to achieve a smooth, defined jawline, slimmer neck, and a more contoured, youthful face.
Thighs
For more toned, smoother-shaped legs, our plastic surgeons can remove fat from the thighs and provide a thigh lift to rejuvenate their appearance if there is loose or sagging skin.
Often treated together, there are three sections to our thighs that may benefit from liposuction:
- Outer thigh “saddlebags” to enhance the patient’s overall shape
- Inner thighs to produce a thigh “gap” when standing
- Posterior thigh, also known as the “banana roll” area, can be shaped to give the buttocks a firmer, more defined appearance
Lower legs
Liposuction in the lower leg area is less common, but the reshaping can help you maintain natural-looking proportions and a slimmer profile.
Upper Arms
Affecting both men and women, fat and loose skin can settle under the upper arms over time. While this condition is mainly due to a lack of muscle tone in the triceps area, it is difficult to target through exercise alone. Liposuction eliminates this condition, leaving you with smoother, firmer arms.
Schedule a Consultation in Baltimore
At The Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery, our experienced surgeons perform liposuction as a standalone procedure or in conjunction with other procedures. These include a neck lift, breast reduction, male breast reduction (gynecomastia surgery), tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), arm lift (brachioplasty), thigh lift, and fat transfer procedures.
We want to help you decide if liposuction will help you achieve the slimmer, more toned body you have always wanted. Contact us online at The Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery or call us at 410-744-0900 to set up a consultation with one of our board-certified cosmetic surgeons.
After discussing your cosmetic goals and a thorough examination, we can help you determine if liposuction or other body contouring surgery will help you achieve the results you want.