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Hello, everyone!
I am Ariko Hatate, a board-certified plastic surgeon with the Japanese Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and I specialize in helping patients achieve a natural and elegant rejuvenation.

 

Perhaps some of you are feeling anxious, thinking, “I read reviews from people who regretted getting liposuction, and that’s making me nervous,” or “What should I watch out for to make sure it doesn’t go wrong?”

 

Liposuction is a procedure that directly removes fat from areas of concern to achieve a sleeker body contour or facial profile. However, if you don’t fully understand the procedure or fail to choose the right one for you, you may end up feeling that “the results weren’t what I expected.”

 

The important thing is not just to look at the fact that “some people have regrets,” but to understand why those regrets arose and what is important to avoid them.

 

In this article, I will provide a clear explanation—from the perspective of a board-certified plastic surgeon—of the reasons people often regret liposuction, the key points you should know to prevent regret, and the approach to treatment that Bianca Clinic values.

What Is Liposuction? The Basics You Need to Know to Avoid Regrets

To avoid regretting liposuction, it’s important to first have a clear understanding of the procedure’s characteristics and how it differs from dieting. First, we’ll explain the basics you should know before considering the procedure.

Liposuction is a procedure that directly removes fat from areas of concern.

Liposuction is a procedure that uses a thin tube called a cannula to remove subcutaneous fat from areas such as the cheeks, under the chin, upper arms, abdomen, waist, and thighs. While it can target specific areas of fat, simply removing as much fat as possible isn’t always the best approach.

 

It is important to achieve overall balance while preserving the necessary fat, taking into account the patient's bone structure and skin condition.

Liposuction has a different purpose than dieting to lose weight.

Liposuction is not a procedure designed to result in significant weight loss; rather, its purpose is to adjust the volume of specific areas of concern.

 

Although weight loss may occur as a result of fat removal, the change in weight is generally relatively small compared to the visible changes. In addition, due to swelling after surgery, it may be difficult to notice the changes immediately.

The final results of liposuction aren't immediate.

After liposuction, swelling, bruising, and edema may occur, but these symptoms will gradually subside over time.

 

Don't base your judgment solely on how things look immediately after the treatment or over the course of a few weeks; keep in mind that it may take several months for the results to fully develop.

 

▷Learn More About VASER Body Liposuction
▷Learn More About VASER Facial Contouring Liposuction

Why do some people feel they “regret” having liposuction?

There is no single reason why people feel they regret having liposuction. Here, we’ll explain the reasons that often lead to regret, based on common examples.

It didn't turn out the way I had hoped.

Some people feel that they “didn’t get as slim as they expected” after liposuction. However, in most cases, this isn’t because the procedure was a failure, but rather because there was a gap between the results achievable through liposuction and their expectations.

 

The changes resulting from liposuction tend to be more noticeable in the body’s contours than in the actual weight measurement. Furthermore, one’s physical appearance is influenced not only by fat but also by bone structure, muscle tone, and skin thickness.

 

Furthermore, for safety reasons and to achieve a natural-looking result, we may deliberately leave some fat in place. Removing as much fat as possible does not necessarily lead to the best results.

I was concerned about post-surgery unevenness and asymmetry

Feeling that there are “unevenness” or “asymmetry” after surgery can also lead to regret. However, it’s not uncommon for people to have natural asymmetry in their bone structure or fat distribution.

 

In addition, shortly after surgery, swelling and contractures may cause temporary unevenness or asymmetry to appear more noticeable.

 

Since the final result can vary depending on the amount of fat removed and the balance of the layers being treated, it is important to focus on creating a design that emphasizes natural lines and to perform the procedure with great care.

The downtime was harder to deal with than I had imagined.

After liposuction, patients may experience swelling, bruising, fluid retention, and pain. Some patients may also be concerned about stiffness or tightness caused by contracture.

 

Depending on the treatment area, you may need to wear compression garments or a face band for a certain period of time, which may cause some inconvenience in your daily life.

 

While the extent of downtime and the recovery process vary from person to person, it may take several months for the final results to become apparent. It is important not to judge the outcome based solely on your condition immediately after surgery, but to understand this process before undergoing the procedure.

Liposuction wasn't right for me

Liposuction is not necessarily the right procedure for everyone.

 

For example, people who naturally have little body fat or significant skin laxity may find it difficult to achieve the desired results. Additionally, depending on the cause of your concerns, other treatments—such as thread lifts, HIFU, or fat-dissolving injections—may be more suitable in some cases.

 

Rather than deciding on the procedure based solely on the desire to “have liposuction,” the key to avoiding regret is to consult with a doctor, taking into account the cause of your concerns and your ideal outcome.

 

▷Dr. Alice at Bianca Clinic'sRead an article about the disadvantages of liposuction

What BIANCA CLINIC Values to Help You Achieve Liposuction with Fewer Regrets

To avoid regrets after liposuction, it’s important to consider not only the procedure itself but also the doctor’s diagnosis, the treatment plan, and support that extends through the postoperative period. Here, we’ll introduce the principles that Bianca Clinic values most when it comes to liposuction.

A consultation where we carefully discuss your ideal look

At Bianca Clinic, we never proceed with treatment based solely on a patient’s desire to “lose weight.”

 

For example, whether a patient wants to “achieve a more defined jawline,” “make their upper arms look slimmer,” or “smooth out the contours of their thighs,” we carefully listen to their ideal results and propose a treatment plan tailored to each individual.

 

Even when performing liposuction on the same area, each person’s skeletal structure, muscle composition, and skin thickness are unique. Our clinic is committed to first sharing your vision of the ideal result and then proposing a safe and realistic approach from a medical perspective.

Liposuction with an Emphasis on Aesthetics, Performed by a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

At Bianca Clinic, we perform liposuction using the VASER method.
As a plastic surgeon, what I value most is not “how much fat I’ve removed,” but rather “what kind of contour I’m creating.”

 

We create designs tailored to each individual, taking into account everything from bone structure and muscle tone to skin thickness.

 

 

In fact, in this case as well, rather than simply slimming the upper arms, we perform the procedure with a focus on the continuity from the shoulders to the arms and the overall balance of the silhouette. When looking at the before-and-after photos, please take a moment to assess not only the extent of the change but also whether the result has a natural contour.

A Support System That Extends Through the Postoperative Period

Liposuction isn’t something that’s over once the procedure is done.

 

At Bianca Clinic, we provide detailed instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery, including how to wear compression garments and face bands, as well as when to resume exercise and bathing.

 

Since the recovery process varies from person to person, we place great importance on providing support so that you can feel at ease until your treatment is complete, and we encourage you to consult with us if you have any concerns or questions.

Treatment plans that prioritize natural balance over the volume of suction

Some patients request, “I want as much fat removed as possible.” However, removing more fat does not necessarily lead to greater satisfaction. This is because removing too much fat can cause unevenness, indentations, and sagging to become more noticeable.

 

For this reason, at Bianca Clinic, we design our procedures not only with a focus on the volume of fat removed, but also by taking into account the balance with the skin and the overall silhouette.

 

We believe that striving for natural, beautiful contours tailored to each individual leads to liposuction results with fewer regrets.

"BeautyFill": An Option for Making Use of Fat Removed Through Liposuction

At Bianca Clinic, we also offer “BeautiFill,” a procedure that uses the harvested fat to inject it into areas of concern. Here, we’ll explain how this differs from conventional liposuction, where the harvested fat is typically discarded.

What is BeautyFill?

BeautiFill is a procedure that uses LipoLife to harvest and purify fat, which is then injected into the desired areas.

 

LipoLife is a device that allows for the harvesting of fat cells while minimizing damage to them; the survival rate of the harvested fat cells is reported to be approximately 95 percent. As a result, it makes use of fat that is often discarded during conventional liposuction, making it a viable option for those who want to “smooth out problem areas” or “naturally contour areas lacking volume.”

 

Not only does it reduce fat, but it also allows for the effective use of the harvested fat—a feature unique to BeautyFill.

Areas Where the Harvested Fat Can Be Used

The harvested fat may be injected into areas where volume loss is a concern—such as the cheeks and temples—as well as into areas where you wish to add volume, such as the breasts and hips.

 

This procedure may be an option for those who wish to avoid the use of foreign materials by utilizing their own fat. However, eligibility is determined through a comprehensive assessment that takes into account factors such as the amount of fat available, body type, and desired results.

 

▷Learn More About Fat Grafting (Face)

▷Learn More About Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation

▷Learn More About Fat Grafting for a Fuller Butt (Brazilian Butt Lift)

In some cases, patients consider both liposuction and fat grafting at the same time.

At Bianca Clinic, we don't just focus on reducing fat; we may also recommend treatments that take into account the overall balance of your face and body.

 

For example, by considering which areas to reduce and which to enhance at the same time—such as slimming the jawline while adding volume to the cheeks—you can achieve overall harmony in your face and body.

 

Since each person’s fat distribution, body structure, and desired results vary, we make a comprehensive decision during the consultation regarding whether to combine liposuction with fat grafting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction

We’ve compiled a list of questions we frequently receive from people considering liposuction during consultations.

To Avoid Regrets After Liposuction, “Diagnosis” and “Design” Are More Important Than the “Procedure” Itself

Many cases of regret following liposuction stem from a discrepancy between expectations and reality, or from errors in determining suitability for the procedure. To prevent regret, it is important to assess whether the procedure is appropriate for your bone structure and skin condition—rather than focusing on how much fat will be removed.

 

In addition, by reviewing before-and-after photos and taking a closer look at the doctor’s design skills and approach, you’ll likely feel more confident about undergoing the procedure.
Drawing on the knowledge and experience I have gained as a board-certified plastic surgeon, I work closely with each patient to understand their concerns and goals, and recommend liposuction procedures designed to achieve natural-looking results.

 

If you are considering liposuction or would like to find out which procedure is right for you, please feel free to contact Bianca Clinic for a consultation.

 

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