The Difference Between Liposuction and Weight Loss

It is not uncommon for patients to seek liposuction treatment as a means to lose weight and get the physique they’ve been wanting.  What many patients don’t know, however, is that liposuction is a minimally-invasive surgery that is best performed as a complement to weight loss efforts.  In fact, liposuction is considered a surgery that is primarily aimed at re-shaping the body, not losing weight.  While the procedure does get rid of unwanted fat, liposuction usually can’t achieve the full weight loss that patients would like. This blog will help you to understand the differences between liposuction and weight loss and guide you towards a realistic plan that will help you to achieve your aesthetic goals.

Patients should be in good general health and close to their target weight before having liposuction.

A good diet, exercise routine, and overall healthy lifestyle is important for everyone.  Eating plenty of whole foods, avoiding sugary and processed foods, and participating in movement of some sort each day can go a long way towards helping you to meet your weight loss goals. While there are many nuances to weight loss, you can generally rely on the fact that consuming less unhealthy food and doing more exercise will help you lose unwanted fat.  Many of our patients have great success through these efforts, but you should know that it requires commitment and consistent work.  We know it is not easy to lose weight, and we applaud your efforts towards a healthier you, as it takes time and dedication.

Liposuction is a procedure that is best performed on individuals who are in good general health.  If you are significantly overweight, we ask that you get closer to your target weight before undergoing liposuction for several reasons.  You will be more likely to heal well if you are generally healthy. And, patients who are close to their ideal weight are able to experience better, more lasting results from their surgery.  Further fluctuations to your weight can affect your results.

What can liposuction do for me?

Liposuction simply isn’t a good alternative to weight loss.  It can, however, address stubborn “problem areas” for patients who have worked on their bodies through diet and exercise but can’t seem to get rid of unsightly bulges.  If you are within 10-15 pounds of your ideal weight but have resistant fat in areas such as the upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, or thighs, liposuction can be strategically performed to re-shape these parts of your body for a smoother, sleeker contour.

We know how much hard work it takes to lose weight and build a healthy body, and it can be frustrating to have one or two spots that simply won’t change despite your efforts.  Unfortunately, many of us have genetic tendencies to store fat in certain areas, and these are often the first to expand during weight gain and the last to shrink during weight loss.  And, once you have added fat cells to these areas, the cells will shrink but not go away when you lose weight. This is why liposuction can be an excellent approach to addressing these problem spots.  By dislodging and removing the fat cells, your surgeon can reduce the fat deposits in these areas and permanently get rid of excess fat. As long as you maintain a relatively stable weight after your procedure, the fat cells will not grow back!

If you are close to your target weight but have problem spots you’d like addressed, contact us at 952.562.5940 today to discover how liposuction can help you to finally achieve the body you’ve been working hard to get!

Looking for a New Year’s Resolution that You’ll Stick to in 2019?

The new year is here and resolutions are in full gear.  If your goals for 2019 include cosmetic enhancement, we are here for you! Plan ahead and call Dr. George Landis for a flawless new year with these procedures.

Facelift

Every new year brings surprises and a few extra lines and wrinkles. Camouflaging them with powders, creams, and practical make-up techniques may have worked at one time but no longer. Sagging skin and drooping jowls can make even the best of us look tired and old. Reverse the signs of aging by tightening the skin and refreshing your facial features with a facelift.

Youthful contours of the face can be lost due to a variety of factors including, thinning of the skin, loss of facial fat, gravity, sun damage, smoking, stress, and heredity. Used alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as an eyebrow lift, eyelid surgery or even fat transfers or fillers to replace any lost fatty volume, a facelift can rejuvenate your entire face. This highly individualized procedure can be tailored to your specific needs and cosmetic goals.

Depending on the degree of changes you want to see, you may need either a traditional lift, mini-facelift or neck lift. The traditional facelift incision begins in the hairline at the temples and continues around the ear to the lower scalp. Fat can be sculpted or redistributed while the underlying tissue is repositioned, and the deeper layers of the muscles are also lifted. Once completed the skin is re-draped over the uplifted contours and the excess skin is trimmed away. If needed a second incision can be made under the chin to improve an aging neck.

The mini-lift is a modified version of the traditional lift. Shorter incisions are made at the temples and around the ear prior to any adjusting under the skin. Mini-lifts are usually reserved for patients that have a lesser degree of skin relaxation. While still improving the look, the mini is less rejuvenating than a full facelift.

Liposuction

Unsightly bulges are caused by stubborn fatty deposits unchanged by diet and exercise. These bulges can leave you feeling like a failure and disappointment. Thankfully, liposuction can help eliminate the source of your discomfort.

Because liposuction is not a weight loss treatment, the ideal candidate is someone who is at or near their desired weight. During the procedure, excess fat deposits are targeted for removal to improve body contours, helping to slim and reshape specific areas. This versatile procedure can be used either alone or in multiple areas of the body and in conjunction with other procedures such as a facelift or breast augmentation.

During the procedure, small inconspicuous incisions are made through which a small cannula can be inserted into the problem area. A solution is used to aid in loosening the fatty deposits while the cannula is moved back and forth in controlled movements to suction out the unwanted material. Once any swelling has subsided, your improved body contour will appear leaving you slimmer with a more defined tone sure to boost your self-esteem.

Breast Augmentation

Individuals who feel uncomfortable with their breast size or shape can find themselves lacking in confidence and often use clothing as a way to enhance what mother nature didn’t give them. Weight fluctuations and pregnancy can also impact your breasts causing a loss of volume.

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that uses implants to increase the size and shape of the breast. There are two main types of implants, silicone, and saline. Silicone gel implants tend to have a more natural feel but both types are safe for use. Each can be placed either on top of or beneath the muscle depending on your aesthetic needs. During the procedure, small incisions are made to allow for insertion. Any surgical scars are easily hidden within the natural contours of the body and generally fade over time.  After a short recovery period, the results of breast augmentation are immediately noticeable. You will enjoy your new curves and the confidence associated with looking and feeling your best for many years to come.

Call today for a consultation

Whatever your cosmetic surgery needs, Dr. Landis and his team of highly trained professionals are standing by to help you look and feel your best in 2019 and beyond.

Contact us today at 952-562-5940

Mommy Makeover Minneapolis

Mommy Makeover is a cosmetic surgery term for a group of procedure commonly performed in combination with each other to help a woman rejuvenate her body after pregnancy, birth and nursing. Many women find the joys of the miracle of birth and having children one of the highlights of their lives, but at the same time, many also wish that they could undue some of the effects those major life events have had on their body.

Take a look at our online gallery of real patient before and after photos to get an idea of the kind of results possible through Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Liposuction, and Tummy Tuck procedures. The Mommy Makeover Minneapolis isn’t one specific procedure, but rather customized to each patient’s individual needs. Often the Mommy Makeover will include some combination of breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction. If you are interested in learning more about the Mommy Makeover procedure and recovery process, and to find out if it may be right for you, contact our office to schedule your Mommy Makeover Minneapolis consultation with Dr. Landis today.

Mommy Makeover Minneapolis

The Mommy Makeover is a not a singular procedure but a combination of procedures that is customized to each patient and performed to rejuvenate the key areas of the body most affected by pregnancy. For many women the miracle of bringing a child into the world is life changing in the best ways possible, but for some women the toll it takes on their bodies is something they would rather change if they could–and through the Mommy Makeover, they can.

Each Mommy Makeover is customized to meet each patient’s needs but may include some combination of tummy tuck, breast augmentation, breast lift, and liposuction. If you are interested in learning more about the Mommy Makeover procedure and to find out if it may be right for you, contact our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Landis today.

Thigh Lift Minneapolis

Thigh Lift is a body contouring procedure that is designed to enhance the appearance of the thighs by removing excess skin in the thighs. Many people struggle with excess, sagging skin after bariatric surgery. The Thigh Lift may be performed on its own or it may be performed in combination with other body contouring procedures such as Liposuction to also remove excess, stubborn pockets of fat. If you are feeling self-conscious about your thighs and interested in learning more about your options, contact our office to schedule your confidential consultation with Dr. Landis today. During your consultation Dr. Landis will examine you, ask you about your medical history, your goals and concerns to determine if a Thigh Lift may be right for you.

Ready to begin discussing your body contouring options and to find out if a thigh lift may be the right option for you? Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.