Everyone wants to be the best version of themselves that they can be. It’s only natural. However, one of the most common requests we hear at our surgery is: “Take it all out, Doc! I don’t want any fat left behind,” and, “give me lipo, in high def! I want to be super sculpted!” However, before rushing in and trying to rid your body of all fat, it is important to understand the liposuction process and what you can expect to get out of your procedure.
When it comes to plastic surgery, the realities can sometimes be different from the expectations that people have. That is why we want all of our prospective patients to understand the possible outcomes that can occur from excessive liposuction, and why it should be avoided. Having too much volume removed, treating too many areas at once, or having too many hours of surgery can be detrimental and sometimes even fatal.
Here are some of the most important side effects to consider:
Rather than the desired smooth and sculpted look, taking out too much fat can actually give your skin a cachectic, or sunken appearance. This doesn’t look natural or appealing in the way that most people want. The goal should be to remove the maximum amount of fat possible without exposing patients to risks and complications, while giving the best possible aesthetic appearance.
When you take out too much fat from areas like the upper arms and the inner thighs, you can end up with loose, saggy, and wrinkled skin. This is because the skin can lose its integrity and structure, like a building that’s stripped of its insides and collapses. While you will get a certain amount of skin retraction from the naturally occurring fibrosis of the collagenous subcutaneous fascia, there is only so much that this system can cope with, and it is important not to push the limits.
When you take out too much superficial fat, sometimes the vascular supply to the skin on top can be damaged and can even result in necrosis or skin death. Obviously, this is about as bad as it sounds. Your skin may never recover, and it can lead to lots of other serious health implications.
This condition, also known as Toasted Skin Syndrome, is an unpleasant rash that may never go away. It occurs when the skin is traumatised and can result from excessive liposuction. While it looks like a burn, it can be even more uncomfortable and can require ongoing treatment.
Some patients have irregularities across the treated area after liposuction. In the industry, these are referred to as Lipotrops, and occur when the excessive and uneven removal of fat results in depressions and dimples in the skin. Of course, this is not the highly toned result that those seeking liposuction want to see. That is why it is important to take fat evenly and cautiously, to ensure a uniform result across the surface of the skin.
If you are considering liposuction, it is best to consult with a reputable cosmetic surgeon who has extensive experience in this specific area. Make sure your procedure is performed at a facility that is fully licenced to perform cosmetic treatments outside of a hospital environment and ask to see photos of previous surgeries. Liposuction is not a process or a decision to be rushed; it is a complex procedure, and sometimes complications do occur. Be sure to talk through all your options with a surgeon that you can trust and is honest with you about the expected results. Find someone who cares about the skin you are in, now and into the future, and will help you to work towards a body that you will be happy with.
