You eat like a vegan and work out like an athlete but still can’t lose those stubborn fat pads around your middle, your thighs, and your upper back. Why is that? You want the body you once had, and you work hard for it, but there seem to be areas immune to diet and exercise. What can you do to gain the results you so desperately want?
If you struggle to lose stubborn fat from a specific body part, and this fat is not responding to a healthy diet and exercise routine, liposuction may be the right cosmetic procedure for you. Although liposuction is not suitable for everyone, you are a good candidate if:
You Are at or Close to Your Optimal Body Weight
Liposuction is not a weight loss treatment, and best results are with patients who are near their ideal body weight.
Your General Health is Good
As with any aesthetic surgical procedure, optimal results and faster recovery depend on good health. The healthier you are, the more satisfied you will be with the outcome.
You Want to Reduce Disproportional Areas of Stubborn Fat Deposits
Liposuction extracts fat through a cannula (narrow tube) via a suction device and works best on explicit areas of your body, rather than for overall fat elimination. By targeting stubborn areas, liposuction can make your body look proportional. Liposuction is primarily used for the abdomen, hips, back, outer thighs, or inner thighs but can be used for most parts of the body.
You Have Sufficient Skin Elasticity
When stubborn fat is finally eliminated, your loose skin can become unattractive if it does not have enough elasticity for it to adjust to your body’s new shape. The older we get, the less elastic our skin becomes, so it’s important to have a plastic surgeon assess your skin’s condition before deciding on liposuction.
You Have Realistic Expectations and Understand All Risks Involved
You should not expect results that are not possible due to your unique body type. It is also important to understand the risks associated with Liposuction or any other surgery you are considering. A good plastic surgeon will educate you on realistic expectations and potential complications of your procedure.
Contact Chicago plastic surgeon, Dr. Mussat today if you think you are a good candidate for liposuction or want additional information about this procedure or any others we offer. You can call us at 312.751.9000 or Contact Us online here.
In an ideal world, all of those articles that promise us our dream body if we eat right, exercise several times a week, drink green tea, and perform the latest “miracle cleanse” would all be true. Obviously, we’re not living in an ideal world. We live in the real world, where genetic predispositions, hormones, and age control the distribution of body fat… And where dieting down to a very low body fat percentage in order to banish stubborn fat is usually more dangerous than it is healthy.
This is not to suggest, of course, that we can’t maintain a healthy body weight via natural means. Barring a medical issue, most of us can (and should). There are, however, a number of obstacles that stand in the way of achieving the “ideal” body this way, such as:
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Metabolic factors.
Our bodies instinctively react badly to being deprived of food. (And of course, when you look at our evolutionary history, this isn’t exactly shocking.) When we lose a significant amount of weight, our metabolisms slow down as our bodies desperately try to hold onto their stores of energy (AKA fat). This makes it extremely difficult for most of us to safely and healthily lose those “last couple inches” of stubborn belly fat.
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Genetic factors.
Unfair as it may be, sometimes our genetics simply work against us. If you’ve ever seen a thin person with a distinct double chin or love handles, you know that nature doesn’t always get her proportions right. If you’re genetically predisposed to having one or more deposits of stubborn fat, they’ll probably remain present in some capacity even if you’re quite slender.
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Motivational issues.
Because we’ve been led to believe that we’ll somehow obtain the perfect body if we just behave well enough (i.e., eat “whole” foods, do cardio, and so on), most people end up disappointed by dieting. Sure, it may shed the pounds, but it just won’t produce the really attractive shape and obvious muscle definition most of us want. This realization leads to a loss of motivation, a lack of effort, and inevitably, weight gain. In fact, numerous studies have shown that people who have cosmetic surgery following weight loss are much more likely to keep the weight off than those who don’t.
This naturally brings us to the real solution for stubborn fat: Liposuction. If you’re battling metabolic or genetic challenges, liposuction is the most effective way to safely get rid of your remaining “problem fat.” Remember: There’s no shame in turning to cosmetic surgery for assistance. You’ve done the hard work of weight loss, after all— now it’s time to reap the reward. Contact Dr. Florence Mussat for a liposuction consultation today!
Spring is coming and summer is close behind. If you want a better body this summer, it’s time to start planning. Many of our patients struggle with their middles. If you have loose skin, a little extra fat, or a permanent belly pooch, come see us. We can help you get ready for summer, but you’ll need to start this spring.
My Tummy Needs Help- What Treatments Do I Need?
Often diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to maintain a flat, tight tummy. Pregnancy, aging, weight loss and other factors all take their toll on your mid-section. If hitting the gym and eating right aren’t enough for the lean, sexy stomach you want, it may be time for a little plastic surgery. Liposuction or a tummy tuck could help you to ditch the excess and discover your best belly. Which treatment do you need? Learn a little more about each of your options below.
• Liposuction- Excess fat? Liposuction isn’t a weight loss treatment, but it is an excellent choice for those stubborn pockets of unwanted fat. A small incision is made near the treatment area, a cannula is inserted, and fat is removed using suction. Since fat cells don’t regenerate in adulthood, you’ll experience lasting results. This treatment is ideal for stubborn fat pockets in isolated areas like the tummy, love handles, waist, etc.
• Tummy Tuck- If you have excess skin on the abdomen, a tummy tuck is the way to go. This procedure removes excess skin and fat, tightens abdominal muscles, and restores a flat, tight abdominal appearance. If you want to reverse post-pregnancy changes or have lost a lot of weight, a tummy tuck is probably the procedure you need.
Do I Need Both Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck?
Liposuction and a tummy tuck are effective treatment options on their own, but some patients will need both for the best results. Choose liposuction and a tummy tuck if:
• You have excess fat and loose skin.
• You want the most dramatic abdominal transformation.
• You want to shape and sculpt the entire middle, not just the tummy.
• You’ve lost a lot of weight or have experienced pregnancy related changes to your body.
We can perform both procedures with a single trip to the operating room. Combining treatments is an excellent way to maximize results while minimizing downtime.
Bikini season is on its way. Is your body ready? If you need a little help with your tummy before summer, we’re here. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Mussat today.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet play a role in giving you a sculpted figure. There are cases, though, that these two might not be enough. There will always be stubborn fat lying around in certain areas of your body that just won’t go away.
If you’re frustrated with the slow to zero progress of your efforts, consider getting a liposuction. This minimally invasive procedure will not only trim away excess fat around your abdomen, hips, buttocks and thighs, you can also use the procedure to vacuum away the fat in other areas of your body.
That’s right! The areas that liposuction targets are not limited to these four areas alone. It can also suction fat in areas that you didn’t know could benefit from a light or small procedure.
The following are the top areas that liposuction can target to give your body a more sculpted contour.
- Torso
The belly usually gets the most attention with liposuction, but other areas of the torso can also benefit from this procedure. For example, a small procedure can target the back part of the torso where the love handles usually poke out. Your surgeon can also target the excess fat deposit that bulges out along the bra band. By targeting the area with precision, you can wear a swimsuit or a low-cut backless dress with confidence.
- Legs
The thighs are not the only ones that can benefit from the procedure. If you have bulges and folds due to excess fat around your knees and ankles, you can definitely include them in your list of target areas. The procedure can add definition to your legs and make them look more toned. Plus, it can help banish the fat that gives you the infamous ‘chunky ankles’ or ‘cankles.’
- Neck
As you gain weight, some of the fat settles in the upper neck area. This leads to the formation of the double chin, which may make you feel self-conscious. If you have a double chin and it’s ruining every selfie shot you take, a light procedure can banish it. In addition to that, liposuction can also give your jawline definition.
- Chest
Weight gain or hormonal imbalance in men causes gynecomastia, a condition that results in the abnormal growth of breast tissue in men. Most men who have this condition can greatly benefit from a light liposuction procedure to remove excess breast tissue.
- Arms
If you want to have toned, well-defined arms, you can use liposuction to achieve your aesthetic goal. You can also use the procedure to target the fatty bulges in the underarms while you’re at it.
By targeting these areas, in addition to your abdomen, hips and buttocks, you can have a sculpted body sooner than expected. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Mussat, please call her Chicago practice today.
The holidays are a time for many celebrations, holiday parties, and social events with family and friends. To help you look your best for the holidays, Dr. Mussat created this infographic on body contouring procedures. Procedures such as arm lift, liposuction, tummy tuck, and thigh lift can contour your body and have you ready for the holiday season. For more information on body contouring procedures, please contact Dr. Mussat’s office.
Arm Lift
- Arm Lift removes excess skin and fat between the underarm and the elbow
- Reshapes your arm for smoother skin and contours
- Results in a more toned, proportionate appearance
- Recovery lasts 1-2 weeks
- 96% Worth It rating on RealSelf.com
Liposuction
- Liposuction removes stubborn, excess fat deposits
- Can be performed on the knees, thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, back, upper arms, neck, and chin
- Results in a nice contour
- Recovery lasts about 2 weeks
- 91% Worth It rating on RealSelf.com
Tummy Tuck
- Tummy Tuck removes loose, sagging abdominal skin
- Often performed in conjunciton with liposuction or after massive weight loss
- Results in a sexier and leaner stomach
- Recovery lasts about 2 weeks
- 97% Worth It rating on RealSelf.com
Thigh Lift
- Thigh Lift removes excess skin and fat from the thigh area
- Reshapes the thighs for smoother skin
- Results in better proportioned contours of the lower body
- Recovery lasts 1-2 weeks
- 91% Worth It rating on RealSelf.com
