Define liposuction areas--number or order shouldn't matter

Scott L. Replogle, MD answers: Area to have Liposuction done first?

I have an apple-shaped body. I am a very active and healthy person with defined arms, legs, and very little body fat except in my belly and love handles. I work out regularly and eat healthy but my body looks very disproportionate. I saw a plastic surgeon and was advised to have two Liposuction treatments: one in my belly and one for my love handles in the back. Are both necessary? If so, which should I do first?

Scott L. Replogle, MD
4 months ago

Assuming liposuction is done properly, the key to patient satisfaction is knowing what liposuction does and what it doesn't do as well as understanding what area is going to be done and what degree of change and improvement is expected in that area. 

Since liposuction is nearly always a cosmetic choice, there is no correct answer to which area to do, how many, or in what order. The patient has to look at any area that is suitable and decide which area is the most important or worth the cost. Particularly if the liposuction is done under local anesthesia, it is perfectly reasonable to do one area that is of most concern first and then see how that goes before deciding on another area. On the other hand, if the patient is certain that she wants to do two or three areas eventually, then it costs less to do them together rather than separately. 

I disagree with the statements implying that the results will be better using laser or Vaser lipo. Liposuction is the removal of excess fat cells permanently from the subcutaneous layer (between the skin and muscle) and it doesn't matter how they are removed. 

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