No matter your size, cellulite is one thing that impacts nearly all of us. Like other skin irregularities, cellulite causes many women to feel self-conscious about wearing the clothes they love, going to the beach, and every activity in between.
Thankfully, modern cosmetic surgery innovations, like liposuction procedures for fat removal, have made it possible to get rid of cellulite safely and effectively. Not only that; but combining a liposuction for cellulite treatment can remove excess body fat , helping you to achieve your aesthetic body goals.
What Is Cellulite?
Have you ever noticed small dimpling in the areas where you carry unwanted fat, like the abdomen, legs, and booty? This type of skin dimpling is called cellulite, and it impacts nearly all women at some point in their lives. While many people associate cellulite with weight gain, the truth is that cellulite dimples can occur on all body types, even those who are already in good shape.
That’s because cellulite fat comes from fibrous muscle tissue, rather than fat cells. These fibers are called septae, and are an essential connective tissue that connects skin to the muscle fascia. However, when these fibers tighten or loosen irregularly, a cottage cheese like appearance happens. Little is known about why exactly this happens, but patients report stubborn areas of cellulite even after implementing a good diet and exercise routine.
Treating Cellulite:
There are many ways to reduce and eliminate cellulite, although some cosmetic procedures may be more effective than others. Since cellulite occurs within the body’s connective tissue, it can often be hard to reach without the help of skilled cosmetic practitioner.
Some of the most common cellulite treatments include:
Topical Treatments
Many patients try to reduce cellulite by applying creams and other topical treatment options to tighten and tone the skin. Unfortunately, these methods only lessen the appearance of cellulite, and are not an effective treatment for its root causes.
Body Contouring Procedure
Another popular cellulite reduction option is body contouring, which typically uses non-invasive cosmetic procedures to shrink fat cells and sculpt targeted areas. Unlike a surgical procedure, these methods don’t require extensive recovery and have minimal undesirable side effects.
That being said, it’s important to set realistic expectations if you choose to treat cellulite through non-invasive procedures. Despite the use of laser energy, ultrasounds, and temperature sculpting, these methods will not reach lower layers of fibrous tissue, causing patients to have inconsistent results.
Losing Weight
Some doctors recommend losing weight as a way to cure cellulite, but this often leads to disappointment. As we’ve mentioned, the appearance of cellulite can happen anywhere the connective tissues have tightened, which is why it’s not unusual to see cellulite on patients who are already in great shape.
Additionally, since cellulite often appears on specific areas of the body like the thighs and buttocks, overall weight loss won’t necessarily help you target these problem areas, and may even leave you with more loose skin.
Can Liposuction Remove Cellulite?
Can Liposuction Remove Cellulite?Now, the real question: Does liposuction for cellulite actually work?
In general, the answer is kind of. There are a few important factors that can impact your results. Essentially, traditional liposuction techniques target subcutaneous fat or stubborn fat deposits that other weight loss methods can’t reach.
When this excess fat is removed, it leads to immediate weight loss results and fewer unwanted pockets for cellulite on the skin.
However, many traditional liposuction methods only focus on removing fat cells, rather than cellulite reduction. That’s why it’s important to work with a plastic surgeon who understands your overall goals and can create a tailored plan to remove cellulite through a combination of liposuction and skin smoothing.
How Liposuction Works:
Liposuction for women removes excess fat by inserting a thin tube under the skin, slowly pulling out fat deposits in the body. This procedure can be used anywhere on the body where a stubborn amount of fat is stored like the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.
For cellulite removal, plastic surgeons use more advanced methods like laser assisted liposuction to target the areas where cellulite is visible. This helps create a more sculpted appearance and leaves patients feeling more confident than ever before.
Is Cellulite Liposuction Right For You?
A liposuction procedure is an invasive surgery, so you’ll need to make sure that you’re a good fit beforehand. We recommend setting up a liposuction consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine the best treatment method for you. The ideal candidate for liposuction is someone who:
- Has excess fat that is contributing to the appearance of cellulite.
- Been treated using other methods, but found them to be ineffective.
- Already practice a healthy lifestyle and know how to maintain their weight.
- Is capable of following a strict aftercare plan during the recovery process.
Your Cellulite Questions Answered:
Can liposuction get rid of excess skin?
The liposuction procedure is designed to remove fat cells, not the actual skin itself. If you’re concerned about loose skin, an additional skin removal procedure like a tummy tuck might be right for you. A tummy tuck removes sagging skin from the abdomen, leaving you with a slimmer, more toned waist.
What if you experience weight gain after liposuction?
Many surgeons provide their patients with strict aftercare plans to help them maintain their results. If you gain weight after having liposuction, you’ll risk losing the results you achieve through the surgery.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that since liposuction removes fat, it may take longer to gain weight than it did before you had the operation.
How do plastic surgeons target cellulite?
Using a handheld device, many surgeons look for the areas where cellulite has accumulated and remove subcutaneous fat from the same region. In doing so, it reduces the look of cellulite and creates a tighter, firmer texture for the skin.
Schedule A Cellulite Treatment Consultation Today
Are you ready to eliminate cellulite for good? The team at DMR Aesthetics Chicago is here to help. Dr. Dahlia Rice is a leading board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in helping patients achieve their dream body using innovative cosmetic surgery methods.
To see if removing cellulite through liposuction is right for you, schedule a risk-free liposuction consultation today.
References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945