Just about everyone knows what liposuction is at this point. The surgical fat-reduction procedure has been in the public eye for decades now, with advances in techniques and safety making headlines about a subject that was once taboo. When it comes to liposuction at Palm Springs and Palm Desert’s Cosmetic Surgery Institute, patients tend to come in knowing about the procedure—but maybe not being aware of all the benefits it can provide.

Here are six potentially surprising things to consider when thinking about fat-reduction surgery:

1) Body fat removed via liposuction is out of the body for good. While lifestyle changes alter the size of fat cells, liposuction physically removes those fat cells from the areas where they are lodged. That means they can’t get larger and contribute to new pockets of fat in the future—which is good news for anyone who wants long-lasting results.

2) A significant amount of fat can be removed. While nonsurgical fat-reduction treatments have their advantages, they result in the destruction of less fat than possible via liposuction. Patients who want to address larger volumes, bulges, and bulk should choose surgery over freezing and similar methods.

3) Modern liposuction techniques allow for especially unobtrusive scars. Since the tool required to remove fat is not that large—consisting of a thin cannula inserted to break up and suction out the unwanted cells—the incision can be short.

4) Fat taken from one area can be added to a different area to increase volume where desired. This give-and-take allows for more sophisticated sculpting of contours as opposed to a simple slimming down.

5) Many people think of how their body itself will look after liposuction, but many are happy to realize that the procedure can change how clothes fit as well. Specifically, reducing volume in one area helps outfits to not only sit differently over that feature, but to hang differently on the overall frame.

6) Seeing a slimmer you in the mirror can create a positive feedback loop that encourages more positive changes. Even though liposuction is not a weight-loss treatment, patients are often inspired to eat well and take better care of their body and health when they see how they look after surgery.

Learn more about what liposuction involves, as well as the benefits possible, by contacting the Cosmetic Surgery Institute online or calling 760.837.0364.