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Denver, Colorado 80220

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Could Liposuction Cause Loose Skin?

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Liposuction is a popular plastic surgery procedure among men and women of all ages. This body contouring technique has been performed millions of times in the past several years and has continually evolved to achieve the best possible results with the lowest amount of risk. As far as we’ve come with various liposuction techniques, including the use of tumescent fluid and ultrasound waves to disrupt fat cells before removal, there is one problem that has yet to be resolved. That is the issue of loose skin after liposuction.

The Cause of Loose Skin after Liposuction

Does the liposuction procedure cause loose skin? It does not. Our skin is supported by various chemicals, including collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. After age 20, the cells that make these chemicals enter a state of dormancy. Without continual production of these vital substances, the skin loses firmness, elasticity, and overall resiliency. This is why we get wrinkles. It’s also why tissue can sag more easily after liposuction.

The liposuction procedure creates tiny tunnels when fat cells are removed through a small hollow tube. The tunnels are then filled with the surrounding fat cells that have been left intact. By collapsing into tunnels, the layer of subcutaneous fat that has been treated becomes smooth. We want this so the body doesn’t look lumpy. However, the shift in subcutaneous fat will naturally affect the appearance of the skin. The outermost layer of tissue isn’t being plumped by fat cells anymore. If it does not have good elasticity, it may pucker and look loose after fat is removed.

Can Loose Skin be Treated?

The best way to treat loose skin after liposuction is to keep this from happening in the first place. A skilled plastic surgeon observes all facets of tissue to determine what can be achieved with the intended procedure. When conducting consultations for liposuction, Dr. Berschof observes the skin for signs of laxity. This helps him predict how the skin may respond to having less fat beneath it. When the skin is lax, it means that it may not retract or bounce back as well as it could. When laxity is noticed, the option for skin tightening can be discussed.

Surgical tissue tightening is usually referred to as a lift. Excess skin and loose tissue on the backs of the arms is addressed with an arm lift. The abdomen is treated with a tummy tuck. A thigh lift can be performed to restore nice contours to this area after liposuction. The benefit of any one of these techniques is that loose skin can be eliminated for good.

Dr. Berschof has been performing liposuction and body lift procedures for several years. During your consultation, he will provide you with a professional opinion about what liposuction can and cannot do for you.

To schedule your liposuction consultation in our Denver office, call 303.399.7662.