Liposuction isn’t one-size-fits-all – discover how target areas, fat composition, and goals influence the procedure for men and women.
Have you ever looked in the mirror and wished you could tweak a specific area of your body? Stubborn pockets of fat that persist despite diet and exercise can be a source of frustration. Liposuction offers a targeted solution for those seeking a more sculpted physique. But did you know that liposuction considerations can differ between men and women? Read on to know how liposuction surgery can be tailored to meet your specific concerns and goals.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes unwanted fat deposits from your body. It’s often used on areas like the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and arms. Liposuction is not a weight-loss solution though, and it’s not meant for people who are obese. It’s ideal for those who have reached a stable weight but have stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise.
Liposuction surgery can permanently remove fat cells, but it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle after the procedure to prevent new fat cells from forming. There are different techniques for liposuction, but they all involve inserting a cannula (a thin tube) into the fatty area. The cannula is connected to a suction machine that removes the fat cells.
How Does Liposuction Differ in Men and Women?
While the core liposuction procedure is similar for both genders, liposuction for men and women differs in terms of the target areas, fat composition, and goals. Let’s explore this in further detail.
Target Areas
For many women, liposuction offers a solution to achieve a more sculpted and contoured figure. Common target areas for women include the:
- outer and inner thighs
- hips and flanks
- buttocks
- arms
Men often seek liposuction to achieve a more defined and chiseled physique. Liposuction for men is often used to target the:
- abdomen
- chest
- flanks
- neck and chin
Fat Composition
One major difference between liposuction for men and women lies in fat composition. Men tend to have denser, more fibrous fat cells compared to women. This denser fat is also more closely adhered to underlying muscle tissue.
This difference in fat composition can impact the liposuction procedure for men in a few ways. Because of the denser fat, techniques like VASER (Ultrasonic-Assisted Liposuction) might be preferred for some areas in men. The ultrasound waves from VASER can help liquefy the fat cells, making them easier to remove with suction.
Surgeons may remove slightly less fat during liposuction for men compared to women. This is because achieving a defined look often requires preserving some of the underlying fat layer in men, particularly in areas like the abdomen.
Body Goals
Men and women often differ in their goals for getting a liposuction procedure. Men typically seek a more defined and chiseled physique. This might involve achieving:
- Sharper abdominal contours: Liposuction can remove stubborn belly fat for a more sculpted midsection. In some cases, it can even help enhance underlying muscle definition, creating a toned “six-pack” appearance.
- A more V-shaped torso: Removing excess fat from the flanks (love handles) can create a more tapered waistline and a more defined V-shape when viewed from the front.
- A chiseled jawline and defined chin: Liposuction can refine the jawline by eliminating excess fat deposits around the neck and chin area. This can create a more sculpted and youthful appearance.
- A more masculine chest contour: Liposuction can address gynecomastia, a condition where enlarged breast tissue occurs in men. This can significantly improve confidence and create a more masculine chest profile.
On the other hand, women often aim for a slimmer physique with enhanced curves. This may include achieving:
- A defined waistline: Removing excess fat from the hips and flanks can create a more hourglass figure with a narrower waist compared to the hips and bust.
- Smoother, more streamlined thighs: Liposuction can address stubborn fat deposits on the outer and inner thighs, creating a smoother and more contoured appearance.
- Refined buttocks: Liposuction can be used to refine the shape and contour of the buttocks. In some cases, fat transfer can be combined with liposuction to add volume and create a curvier look.
- More toned upper arms: Liposuction can address unwanted fat in the upper arms, often referred to as “bingo wings,” for a more toned and sculpted look.
Which Type of Liposuction Procedure is Best for Me?
The specific lipo techniques used can vary depending on your individual needs and goals. There are three most common liposuction methods:
1. Tumescent Liposuction (TL): This is the most widely used and versatile technique. TL involves injecting a tumescent fluid, a mixture of saline solution, lidocaine (anesthetic), and epinephrine (medication to constrict blood vessels), into the target area.
A cannula (thin tube) is then inserted, and a surgical vacuum gently suctions out the liquefied fat cells. TL is generally well-tolerated and suitable for most areas of the body.
2. Ultrasonic-Assisted Liposuction (VASER): VASER utilizes ultrasound waves to liquefy fat cells before suctioning them out. The ultrasound energy specifically targets fat cells and minimizes damage to surrounding tissues like nerves and blood vessels.
VASER can be particularly beneficial for areas with denser fat, such as the back, male chest (gynecomastia), and upper arms. This technique may also offer some skin tightening benefits due to the collagen stimulation from the ultrasound energy.
3. Laser-Assisted Liposuction or SmartLipo: Similar to VASER, laser energy is used to liquefy fat cells in this technique. The laser also has the potential to tighten the skin in the treated area by stimulating collagen production. Laser liposuction is often used for smaller areas and for achieving a smoother, more contoured result.
Get Real Results.
Don’t wait for a change – create it. Schedule a consultation with our multi-awarded, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Yoel Rojas. We serve patients all over Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Glendale, New York, and surrounding areas.
Liposuction for Men Before & After
More than weight loss! Watch this patient’s amazing transformation! Dr. Rojas and his team performed an extended tummy tuck and upper back lift/flankplasty along with lipo360 and a BBL on this patient. Then they did an additional HD Lipo360 and further lower back skin excision and gluteal fat grafting.
Later they did HD VASER Lipo360 with more aggressive ab etching, Renuvion J Plasma along his entire torso, and used the harvested fat to fat graft his chest, shoulders, and abs. They complemented the grafting with Renuva and Bellafill fillers/stimulators.
Watch the full transformation.
Liposuction for Women Before & After
Witness the remarkable transformation achieved with VASER liposuction of the torso! This patient’s journey is not just about losing inches; it’s a story of sculpting and redefining their silhouette. The ‘before’ picture shows areas of stubborn fat that resisted diet and exercise. It wasn’t bad, but she wanted more definition and a smaller waist. In the ‘after’ picture, taken 3 months post-procedure, you can see a beautifully contoured, more defined torso.
