One of the most common reasons for surgery I hear from Tampa-St. Petersburg women who want liposuction is that they’re hoping the procedure will get rid of their cellulite. I’m not sure why this lipo myth is so persistent, but it’s time to set the record straight: lipo does not remove cellulite.
What Is Cellulite?
I think the reason for this confusion about lipo and cellulite stems from a misconception about what cellulite really is. Cellulite is not fat, or at least is not the result of fat deposits alone. Instead, the appearance of cellulite is caused by the tougher connective tissue web that overlays the fatty tissue layer.
These fibers press down on the softer fat, and the effect is just like pressing a fishing net over a pillow: the softer tissue pushes up in lumps where there are openings, and is pressed down where there are solid parts of the net. This combination causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite, which occurs primarily in women and mainly in the thighs.
Why Lipo Won’t Help
If liposuction removes fat cells, why can’t it remove the cells from below the connective tissue to smooth those lumps and bumps away? The answer is that liposuction treats deep fatty deposits located lower down than the layer where cellulite develops. In fact, getting liposuction in an area that has noticeable cellulite can, in some cases, make dimples even more pronounced.
Lipo isn’t a solution for weight loss, and it won’t help get rid of cellulite. However, liposuction is the ideal treatment for eliminating stubborn pockets of fat that haven’t responded to diet or exercise in order to smooth out your body contours. You can expect great results from lipo, as long as you have realistic expectations about your results.
Author: Dr. Joseph Castellano
Dr. Joseph Castellano is a native Floridian who grew up in the Tampa Bay area. After medical school and residency, Dr. Castellano returned home and has opened a practice in Tampa, Florida focusing on breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, and eyelid rejuvenation. He is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association
