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How Effective is Liposuction for Love Handles?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

The use of liposuction for love handles can be a highly effective means of smoothing the skin and improving the overall appearance of the hips and stomach. The actual effectiveness will depend on the individual patient, since there are various factors which can have an impact on how well liposuction works. Those who are severely overweight or who have a high amount of fat in this region may experience less dramatic results than those with minimal excess fat.

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure which removes pockets of fat from beneath the top layers of skin. It is generally used to remove fat which does not leave the body, even after diet and exercise. Those who are severely overweight do not generally benefit from liposuction because it is not generally a weight loss tool. It is used to remove the last little bit of stubborn fat from those who are a healthy weight or who are only minimally overweight.

Liposuction is best pursued by people with a healthy body weight, rather than someone looking to lose weight.
Liposuction is best pursued by people with a healthy body weight, rather than someone looking to lose weight.

There are various reasons why liposuction for love handles may be more effective than using this treatment for other areas of the body. First, the area above the hips where love handles form is less prone to cellulite than the thighs, abdomen, and buttocks. Cellulite can lead to less desirable results when performing liposuction because it can affect the way fat cells are removed. This can lead to additional lumps and bumpy areas of skin.

Although using liposuction for love handles can be very effective, the overall appearance of skin will depend on various factors. Older patients who have less elastic skin may have a wrinkling or drooping of the skin following this procedure. Those with more than a little fat accumulated around the love handle region will also not have the same results as those who have minimal fat around the middle. Each individual's genetic makeup, disposition to cellulite and skin regeneration, and the amount of fat accumulated beneath the skin where it may not be seen are also factors.

Patients should find a reputable surgeon to perform liposuction for love handles. Although it can often be done as an outpatient procedure and is not considered dangerous when done correctly, an incorrect administration of medications or instruments could result in serious injury. Bruising and swelling are all common after surgery. Most insurance providers do not cover this operation since it is purely cosmetic and is not generally used for the treatment of disease or illness.

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    • Liposuction is best pursued by people with a healthy body weight, rather than someone looking to lose weight.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Liposuction is best pursued by people with a healthy body weight, rather than someone looking to lose weight.