Don’t substitute liposuction for good nutrition

Liposuction Expert Weighs In on National Nutrition Month

Liposuction is a wonderful way to get rid of stubborn fat deposits quickly. Although it sounds like an easy way to lose weight, it is not a substitute for a nutritious diet and regular exercise. March is National Nutrition Month, so it’s a great time to think about ways to lead a healthy life. You still have a couple of months before swimsuit season to lose excess weight and improve muscle tone.

Get the best results from liposuction

We admit that we have selfish reasons for promoting diet and exercise before liposuction. Our patients achieve better results and are happier with their procedures when they have clearly defined muscles and less fat to remove. When our patients look good, then we look good.

The tumescent anesthesia solution that we use for liposuction is a mix of local anesthetic (lidocaine) and other medication. This approach causes the tissue to become plump and tighten. This effect provides more accuracy and control of the cannula, the device used to break up and remove unwanted fat cells. When the initial swelling subsides ‒ soon after the procedure ‒ your body will conform to the underlying muscles.

Avoid fad diets

There is no easy way to go from fat to thin. Stories about quick-weight-loss diets are misleading. The best plans for reducing weight involve the slow, gradual loss of about one to two pounds a week. Anything more than that will cause you to lose muscle, bone and water and the weight will return quickly. You also want to avoid severely restrictive diets, fat-burning pills and other quick-weight-loss remedies.

Get moving

You need to move your body in order to tone muscles and improve circulation. Regular exercise, combined with healthy eating habits and water consumption helps deliver nutrients throughout the body and eliminate waste and toxins. It also aids in recovery and healing from liposuction and every other cosmetic surgery procedure.

Although it sounds like the magic solution, liposuction isn’t a substitute for significant weight loss. Consider consulting with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) who specializes in weight management if you have more than a few pounds to lose. When you’re ready to have Dr. Greenberg weigh in on your options for liposuction, contact his team at North Texas Cosmetic Surgery.