According to a study presented at the 23rd Annual World Congress of Dermatology, study participants who had liposuction to treat their lipedema reported a significant increase in quality of life when surveyed several years after their procedure (Lipedema is a disorder, affecting mainly women, that causes fat to accumulate around certain areas, particularly the arms and the legs). Even without this clear data, liposuction is an obvious solution to such a disorder.

Rather than being a cure for obesity, liposuction is used to target and remove pockets of fat from specific areas. And, because the fat cells themselves are removed, it is very difficult for the fat to grow back, even with patients who suffer from lipedema.

The fact that over 340,000 liposuction procedures were performed last year shows why the popularity of this procedure continues to grow. In addition to treating disorders such as lipedema, liposuction is also used in conjunction with other procedures, and as a standalone cosmetic procedure.

• Liposuction With Other Procedures – In many cases, liposuction can be a necessary or recommended aspect of many other cosmetic procedures, including the tummy tuck. The tummy tuck is designed to flatten out the stomach by getting rid of loose skin, but it can also involve the removal of some fat under the loose skin to achieve a truly toned look. Liposuction can also be used in conjunction with lift procedures, including an arm lift or a body lift after bariatric surgery.
• As a Standalone Procedure – Most liposuctions are performed as a standalone procedure, for cosmetic reasons. Since most procedures only remove around 5 pounds of fat at any given time, the procedure cannot be used to turn someone from obese to slim. Yet, it is very effective at taking care of stubborn pockets of fat that won’t seem to go away with diet and exercise alone.

While there is a serious difference between someone with severe pockets of fat due to lipedema and someone who is dealing with a normal amount of excess weight around their love handles, liposuction can be effective just the same.