Ask Dr. Franklyn Elliott: Fully Understanding Liposuction

Liposuction is an incredibly versatile cosmetic procedure. And when I say versatile, what I mean is that it can be used by both male and female patients to remove patches of unwanted fat from areas all over the face and body. In some cases, liposuction can even be performed as an in-office procedure. However, as versatile as liposuction may be, that doesn’t mean that it is necessarily the right cosmetic surgery procedure for every patient. I thought it would be educational and informative to answer a few common questions about liposuction and the benefits that it can help provide patients.

Question #1: Is liposuction an option to treat a double chin?

It can be. Liposuction to address a double chin is a popular method for removing the submental fat below the chin (within the neck area). However, some patients experience these issues due to lax skin or muscle in the neck area. In these cases, a neck lift or even a mini facelift may be a more beneficial surgical approach. I always examine my patients thoroughly during plastic surgery consultation appointments to determine the root cause of their issue and then make a procedure recommendation based on my findings.

Question #2: Is liposuction of the “flanks” the same as liposuction of the waist?

While different plastic surgeons may have slightly different meanings of these terms, for me, the flanks and the waist are different areas. The waist can refer to the most narrow portion of the torso, whereas the flanks include the lower portion of the back extending out to the hips (sometimes known as “love handles”). These areas are often treated together to provide comprehensive fat reduction from the abdominal area.

Question #3: Is there such a thing as full body liposuction?

While it is certainly possible to have multiple liposuction areas treated at once, there is a limit to how much fat can be removed in any one surgery session safely. While it is possible to remove larger amounts of fat with liposuction, safety is my top priority and doing too much at once can come with increased risks, as well as potential aesthetic issues like skin rippling.

I hope my readers found this information helpful. There is a lot that any patient needs to know about liposuction before a procedure can take place, and I’m proud to be there to educate my patients on plastic surgery. Providing this kind of information to patients is a big reason why I’ve been named a Top Doctor in Atlanta for over 20 years, an honor that I do not take lightly. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow along with me on Facebook and Twitter for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and much more.