Choosing to get liposuction in NJ, or anywhere for that matter, is a big deal. You would be surprised how many people consider the procedure to get rid of a stubborn bulge (or two) on their bodies. Here in the Bergen County area, and across the country, liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgeries—and also one of the most misunderstood. In truth, liposuction is pretty amazing.
When used for the right purposes and toward the right goals, liposuction is an amazing solution for body enhancement. Liposuction makes “spot reducing” possible—when by any other means, including diet and exercise, it simply can’t be done. As plastic surgeons, we field a wide variety of questions about lipo in our New Jersey aesthetic practice.
The good news is: the vast majority of those who undergo a liposuction procedure in NJ (and across the US) are very happy with the outcome. Liposuction is one of the most successful plastic surgeries with a very high satisfaction rate.
Still, if you are thinking about liposuction, we want to take this opportunity to let you know that we are as invested in this decision as you are. It is our job to be sure you have thought through your decision to seek liposuction surgery. That is why we have compiled some advice from a couple of experienced plastic surgeons about liposuction surgery. We hope this will help you solidify your decision about whether liposuction is the right fit for you.
How Liposuction Works
Liposuction is a procedure designed to contour and improve the appearance of certain localized areas of the body – by removing excess fatty deposits. The procedure is designed to streamline targeted areas, which often include: thighs, flanks or love handles, abdomen, buttocks, upper arms, neck, chin, male breast tissue and more.
Fat is removed from the desired area with a surgical tool called a cannula, through a small incision or incisions. The hollow cannula is used to “vacuum” or suction fat from beneath the skin. Alternatively, an ultrasonic probe is used to emulsify (break up, soften or liquefy) the fat and remove it with suction.
Why is Liposuction so Popular in Bergen County?
Liposuction is a sought-after procedure for good reason. More women undergo the procedure, but men are now seeking liposuction in much greater numbers. For patients here in New Jersey and throughout the country, liposuction provides an opportunity to make a small change to the body that often makes a big difference in an individual’s life.
Standards of “beauty” differ widely from person to person (culture to culture and decade to decade), but it’s normal to want to look and feel your best as you face the world each day. As a society, in general, becomes more fitness conscious, “erasing” any stubborn body bulges is becoming more and more common.
Liposuction is not suitable for everyone, but for many people in Bergen County, liposuction surgery is a perfect solution for a more streamlined shape.
Be sure to consider all of these options carefully before proceeding with liposuction surgery:
Ask Yourself What Your Motivation for Surgery Is
Make sure you’re doing it for yourself. We all think of peer pressure as a teen thing. However, even if you’re well past the teen years, what others might think can have an effect on you.
We have seen people who, after considering their motivation for surgery, come to the realization that they were actually strongly influenced by what friends or colleagues might think.
For some of these folks, there may be better ways to eliminate a less-than-stellar body image. The plan might include liposuction in NJ, or it might not.
Establish Realistic Liposuction Goals
Liposuction can accomplish some wonderful things. We have seen people whose self-esteem had been low prior to liposuction surgery change their outlook following surgery. (This can happen even if no one else notices the “flaw” that the patient wants to correct with liposuction.) Many people improve their confidence and their lives this way.
Here are some very realistic goals that liposuction can readily accomplish:
- You want to get rid of that small bulge of upper thigh fat (we’ve heard the term “saddlebags” from some patients) that seems to run in the family.
- You are troubled by an extra “tummy pouch” that has developed after giving birth.
- You want to banish the “love handles” that came about from hormonal changes later in life – common to both men and women.
- You are bothered by annoying bra-strap bulges that have successfully resisted all of your fitness efforts.
- You are self-conscious about a pocket of fat in the neck area or a double chin.
- You want that one out-of-proportion body area to fall in line with the rest of your figure or physique.
Liposuction can help with, and often eliminate, all of these body issues, and many more not listed here. Provided you are a good candidate and provided your chosen surgeon shares your aesthetic sense, liposuction can improve your life. Liposuction works for hundreds of thousands of people each year. If your goal is close to one listed above, liposuction can help you get the look you want.
On the other hand, if your goals are not realistic, you will be disappointed with the result. If you’re considering surgery to lose 20 pounds, you will be disappointed. If you’re doing this to significantly change your life, you will be disappointed.
Understanding and discussing your goals is part of a responsible plastic surgeon’s role. We can’t help you get the liposuction result you want if we don’t know your goals. Don’t choose a surgeon who glosses over your goals.
Find a Plastic Surgeon that Shares Your Goals
We want to help you see what is possible with liposuction in NJ – and what is not – so that you will know what to expect. We want you to make an educated and informed decision. There may be other options you should consider if you’re looking for a body change that liposuction cannot provide.
Many patients that are seeking liposuction find out that what is really required is a tummy tuck, especially if they have had children. Only a qualified plastic surgeon can explain the difference to you.
If your goal is completely unrealistic, we will let you know that it’s not achievable in our professional opinion. The majority of patients we meet in our Bergen County offices are good candidates, and we begin our partnership together at that point.
Don’t Consider Using Liposuction as a Weight Loss Solution
This falls into the category of unrealistic. Liposuction is best used as a contouring procedure. Liposuction is not used as a weight loss solution because it would be dangerous to perform on the entire body and it would not improve the way you look.
The only way to deal with obesity is through diet, exercise and proper health care or bariatric surgery – all in consultation with your physician.
Don’t Take Liposuction Surgery Lightly
If you choose your surgeons carefully, your surgery should go extremely well and you should heal quickly—but don’t take lipo lightly. Any surgery carries risks, so you have to make sure the outcome you want is achievable and that it is worth spending time, money and recovery for.
Your surgeon should describe for you what to expect from surgery and how your recovery is expected to go. The more seriously you take your liposuction surgery, the more likely you will follow aftercare instructions and the better outcome you will have.
Don’t Choose a Liposuction Surgeon Based on Price
Focus on finding a surgeon you trust, rather than focusing on the price. We recommend choosing a plastic surgeon that you feel listens to you and takes an interest in you, your goals and your health. We also advise you to be especially wary of advertised pricing.
Each surgery is different, even if it is called the same thing. So no surgeon should be able to inform you about costs until she/he has learned your goals and made the surgical plan to achieve them. There is no one-size (or price) fits all in plastic surgery.
Trust Your Gut
When choosing a plastic surgeon, after verifying their credentials, we find it is best to go with the surgeon with who you feel most comfortable.
For the very best results, choose the one you found to be most knowledgeable and interested in answering your questions. The one that gave you a detailed plan for your procedure and didn’t rush you into a procedure. Odds are, this is the type of surgeon that is the best fit for you.
Liposuction in New Jersey: It Does Make a Difference
Experience matters when choosing a surgeon, of course, and you’ll find the most experienced surgeons right here in Bergen County. That’s why more people get liposuction surgery here in this area than almost anywhere else in the country.
It really makes a difference undergoing surgery locally, because you have access to some of the most knowledgeable and skilled liposuction surgeons.
Find out What Liposuction Can Do for You
Don’t let any of this dissuade you—just consider these points in your decision process. When you’re ready to find out what having liposuction surgery in NJ can do for you, we invite you to come in for a consultation with Dr. Cohen or Dr. Winters.
We believe that finding the right patient is just as important to us, as finding the right surgeon is to you. We would love to discuss your goals and expectations for liposuction surgery.
