Liposuction is a contouring procedure, and it works wonders for people who want to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat not touched by diet or exercise. Many people believe that liposuction tightens skin, but that’s not really the case. While some people have liposuction and end up with beautifully smooth results, others find that their skin is not as elastic and they need some help tightening it after liposuction.
Understanding Skin Changes After Liposuction
What’s the difference between people whose skin is smooth and those for whom it sags? It primarily comes down to skin elasticity. Skin with good elasticity snaps back after a procedure while tightening and smoothing out. If skin has poor elasticity it can appear loose, uneven, or wrinkled. Often, people have poor elasticity because of significant weight loss, post-partum changes, the natural thinning of the skin due to age, or even genetic differences in the quality of collagen. While liposuction is extremely good at removing fat and contouring skin, it can’t tighten the skin. In fact, by removing fat from under the skin, liposuction exacerbates the problem.
Liposuction and Loose Skin: Why Loose Skin Happens After Liposuction
Does loose skin after liposuction indicate that the procedure was done improperly? Not necessarily. Sometimes, loose skin is the result of an over-zealous doctor, removing fat too aggressively, and this can injure other tissues as well. However, as frustrating as it may be, skin laxity after liposuction also happens because of many other factors. When it happens, it leaves the skin sagging, drooping, folding, or wrinkling in the liposuction area, feeling loose and looking less defined. So, why does it happen? Poor skin elasticity is often to blame. This can happen because the patient has lost a significant amount of weight before the procedure, but it can also happen when a patient has a higher-than average percentage of fat. Older patients have less collagen, and this makes them more prone to sagging, and a patient’s genetic factors like skin thickness and quality, along with collagen production, factor into the situation as well. To reduce their risk of loose skin after liposuction, it’s important for patients to follow their doctor’s instructions carefully.
How to Prepare Your Skin Before Liposuction
Before you have liposuction, thoroughly vet your surgeon. A reputable, experienced surgeon will be much more likely to achieve a positive outcome, and you’ll be more likely to have smooth, tight skin. However, there are also things you can do ahead of your procedure, to give your skin the best chance at looking great. Try to maintain a healthy weight leading up to your liposuction, and don’t smoke. Fill your diet with lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, and stay well-hydrated to help boost your skin’s elasticity and promote healthy healing. Avoid processed foods and those that are high in sodium and added sugar, and don’t consume alcohol. Be careful about herbal supplements and vitamins; some, including vitamin E, fish oil, and ginkgo biloba, can negatively impact clotting.
Treatment Options for Loose Skin After Liposuction
Fortunately, there are options to improve skin laxity after liposuction. Start by giving it some time. Minor loose skin issues are often resolved during the healing process, but you’ll need to be patient and wait for it to happen. You can also talk to your doctor about strength training exercises, massages, and healthy lifestyle habits that can help support your skin’s recovery. After a few weeks, the swelling will settle, and by two or three months post-liposuction, you will see noticeable tightening in the skin. It could take about 12 months for you to see the final results. However, there are also procedures to help tighten your skin, both surgical and non-surgical. Surgical procedures include abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), arm and thigh lifts, monsplasty (pubic lift), and an extensive surgery called a body lift. All of these procedures can help tighten skin when non-surgical options won’t work. Sometimes, though, minimally-invasive procedures can make a world of difference, using technologies like Quantum radiofrequency to help you look your best again.
Worried About Skin Laxity After Liposuction? Contact Kevin R. Hanz MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
If you’re thinking about liposuction but have concerns, contact us to have your questions answered by the practice trusted across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for excellent care and exceptional results. The team at Dr. Kevin Hanz MD, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has over 20 years of experience, and we offer a wide range of services, from personalized plastic surgery to advanced non-surgical treatment. Led by the talented Dr. Kevin Hanz, a recognized expert in plastic surgery, we provide cutting-edge treatments like liposuction, Mommy Makeover, facelift surgery, breast augmentation, and non-surgical aesthetic procedures, including injectables. Contact us for a complimentary consultation, where you can learn more about the personalized options we recommend for you.