With non-surgical options for fat removal available, patients are left to question if going under the knife is really the best option for removing unwanted fat. Belly pooches, bulging or dimpled thighs, double chin … these are just a few of the different localized areas of the body with stubborn fat that, for many people, will not go away despite the best efforts of diet and exercise. 

Non-surgical fat reduction options include CoolSculpting, truSculpt, BodyTite, SmartLipo and Kybella. Although these alternatives offer body contouring without an incision or much recovery time, the disadvantages are greater than the surgical option of liposuction for 2 main reasons: the amount of fat that can be eliminated and the time it takes to see results. Non-surgical options only allow for a small amount of fat to be eliminated and in most cases relies on the body to eliminate the fat through eliminated waste which can take several months. 

Liposuction is the best fat removal method since it provides more dramatic results than non-invasive options. Even after hours spent at the gym or counting every calorie consumed, certain trouble areas will continue to hold fat. Liposuction involves the gentle suction of excess fat deposits via a thin, hollow tube called a cannula using a controlled back and forth motion. Liposuction surgery is most effective at targeting fat in the legs, back, arms, face, neck and abdomen but can be performed just about anywhere on the body due to the versatile shapes and sizes of the cannulas used in surgery. Unlike non-surgical fat removal methods, liposuction produces results after just 1 treatment with visible results once swelling subsides. Other treatment options likely require multiple sessions to achieve only a percentage of the results liposuction can deliver. As liposuction removes the subcutaneous fat (the fat underneath the skin but above the muscle), muscle definition is much more pronounced after surgery, specifically for liposuction performed on the abdominal, bicep and thigh areas. 

The best way to determine if liposuction is the best fat removal method for your specific concerns and body goals is to meet with one of our renowned plastic surgeons at David W. Allison, MD. To determine if you are a good candidate for liposuction surgery, we welcome you to arrange a consultation with David W. Allison, MD by calling 703-754-8228 or filling out our easy-to-use online forms at WEBSITE.