While most individuals view liposuction as a cosmetic procedure, it also serves as a medical treatment for five conditions, says Dr. Joel Aronowitz. Although this use of the medical procedure isn’t well-known to the public, doctors recommend it frequently to patients diagnosed with the five conditions.
Lymphedema
According to Medical News Today, doctors use liposuction to treat lymphedema, a chronic condition causing edema in the legs or arms. Edema occurs when excess fluid called lymph builds up in bodily tissues. The swelling and lymph retention cause discomfort and pain, and can make it hard to use one’s limbs. Liposuction removes the excess fluid, reducing the swelling.
Lipomas
Some individuals develop fatty growth beneath their skin. Referred to as benign tumors, they rarely cause pain, but some patients consider them unsightly. They move under the skin when touched and feel rubbery, not hard. Doctors use liposuction to treat lipoma development by withdrawing the fatty deposits so the area goes flat again.
Gynecomastia
Liposuction also provides a viable solution for gynecomastia, a condition that some men develop when fat deposits develop in the man’s chest. This accumulated fat makes it look as if the man developed breasts. Plastic surgeons remove the fat deposits using liposuction.
Excess Skin and Abnormal Fat Deposits After Extreme Weight Loss
When an individual with a morbid obesity diagnosis loses a significant amount of weight equaling 40 percent of their BMI or more, it can cause excess skin and fat deposits. A plastic surgeon uses liposuction to remove excess skin and other abnormalities.
Lipodystrophy Syndrome
A doctor might also use liposuction to treat lipodystrophy syndrome, a condition in which body fat builds up in one area of the body but leaves another area. A plastic surgeon can remove body fat from one area using liposuction, and then redistribute it to another using a process called fat grafting.
Cost of Liposuction
Like most plastic surgery procedures, liposuction ranges in cost depending on where you live, the doctor you use, and the size of the area you need treated. On average, liposuction costs $8,469 in the U.S. Prices range from $3,500 to $20,000 with the size of the area treated most significantly impacting the cost. The $20,000 figure refers to the cost of full-body liposuction.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon
According to Healthline, when a person considers liposuction, their choice of plastic surgeon significantly impacts the surgical outcome. In addition to choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon, Healthline counsels people to pick a doctor who specializes in liposuction, such as Joel Aronowitz MD.
Earning a board certification means the plastic surgeon has completed six years of post-medical school surgical training, a requirement for earning their certification. They also must complete continuing education hours annually. The medical website also suggests reviewing before and after photos of their previous liposuction patients.
Meet with the plastic surgeon for a consultation to learn if liposuction would work for your situation. If it doesn’t, the surgeon may recommend other procedures or treatments. For some conditions, there may be a less invasive procedure.
