Does Liposuction Cause Sagging Skin?

Will my skin tighten after liposuction? Our Toronto practice meets with many patients who have this concern. Liposuction is a treatment that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body by suction using special surgical equipment. A vibrating suction cannula or flexible tube is used for the removal of fat in the procedure. This can be used on many areas of the body such as the thighs, hips, stomach, under the chin, and the backs of the arms. People are often curious about how their skin will be affected by liposuction. Here’s everything you need to know about liposuction and your skin.

Liposuction in itself does not cause sagging skin. However, it does remove some of the volume under the skin when the fatty tissue is reduced. If your skin does not have good elasticity in certain areas, it is possible that it may not bounce back into shape or retract the way you would like it to. Simply put, if you already have loose, stretched skin, it may become looser after liposuction. For example, if you have lost a significant amount of weight and have sagging skin, losing any residual fat may cause your skin to sag more.

Liposuction only removes fat and does not directly tighten the skin. The natural elasticity of your skin will enable it to adjust to your new contours over time. In most cases, the body accommodates and tightens up on its own. Your skin is likely to continue to tighten for up to six months after liposuction. Individuals who already have firm skin with good elasticity and good muscle tone are typically the best liposuction candidates.

Another question patients frequently ask is, “Will liposuction fix lax skin?” One of the biggest misconceptions about liposuction is that it will improve lax skin and cellulite. It’s common for a double chin or flabby stomach to involve some degree of sagging skin along with excess fat. Sometimes, if you’re experiencing both of these types of issues, we may recommend a skin tightening procedure instead of or in combination with liposuction. Liposuction only removes fatty tissue so it will have no effect on cellulite, which is a condition that is caused by an issue with the fibrous bands in the skin that connect it to the muscle.

Will my skin tighten after liposuction? Contact Toronto plastic surgeon Dr. Wayne Carman for more advice. Call us at (416) 322-7108 or submit a contact form online to request a consultation if you would to improve your body shape with surgical fat reduction treatments.