There are a variety of reasons patients end up with a less-than-terrific liposuction outcome. Some budget-conscious people choose an inexperienced provider, perhaps not understanding the difference between a doctor who has taken weekend courses and one who has years of specific, hands on plastic surgery training under his or her belt.
Other times, the cosmetic surgeon is simply too aggressive in removing fat. It’s no accident that “sculpting” is a word often applied to liposuction. It takes skill and experience to know how much fat to remove to achieve a noticeable result while avoiding hills and valleys. Not every cosmetic surgeon, or even every board certified plastic surgeon, is an expert.
If you’ve had liposuction and are unhappy with the outcome, you may be thinking about trying again. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind.
DO know that it’s possible to improve your body contour. Corrective liposuction is a challenge for plastic surgeons, but in the right hands you have every chance of achieving a smoother, more natural look.
DON’T assume it will take only one procedure. You may be lucky and just need a little fine-tuning, but some patients find they need more than one visit to their plastic surgeon to smooth out contour irregularities. This is especially true when fat grafting is part of the plan. Your body may absorb some fat, meaning an additional transfer session may be needed.
DO find a plastic surgeon with many tools on hand. Surgeons you consult should offer at least several of these techniques: ultrasonic liposuction, laser liposuction, micro liposuction, fat transfer, CoolSculpting…the list goes on. The point is, no one approach fits all, especially when it comes to corrective liposuction.
DON’T leave a consultation without a thorough understanding of the surgical plan recommended for you. Your plastic surgeon should be able to explain the plan and why it’s best for your unique needs.
DO seek out a bona fide corrective liposuction expert. Each plastic surgeon you consider should be able to demonstrate extensive experience in correcting liposuction mistakes.
DON’T try to save money by visiting a low cost provider. Chances are, this may have been a factor in the poor outcome of your first procedure. When you’re seeking corrective plastic surgery, your wallet should not be the main consideration.
DO have more than one consultation. The best way to choose a surgeon to trust with a tricky procedure like corrective liposuction is to compare several. Ask them the same questions, take notes during the consultation and scrutinize their backgrounds and qualifications carefully.
DON’T skimp on the selection process. Spend time on each plastic surgeon’s website—reviewing their CV, looking at before and after photos and reading testimonials. Ask to speak with patients who have also sought corrective liposuction with the surgeon. You may find you even need to travel to work with the right expert.
If you’ve ended up with unnatural looking liposuction results, don’t despair. Help is available for you—as long as you invest in understanding your options and finding the right plastic surgeon to work with.
Resources:
http://www.realself.com/article/correction-liposuction-complications
http://www.liposite.com
http://messageboards.makemeheal.com/male-man-liposuction/liposuction-gone-horribly-wrong-t7267.html