Liposuction: Decide the Right Method Through Thorough Consultation With Your Surgeon [Dr. Kim Column]

[MediaFine Expert Column] As temperatures rise and clothing lightens, interest in liposuction surges — exposing the body parts that winter clothing helped conceal.

Liposuction, while technically a surgical procedure, is comparatively straightforward in execution. A pharmaceutical solution is injected into the target fat layer to semi-liquefy it, then a cannula is inserted to suction the fat out. It is most commonly used for areas resistant to exercise — particularly abdominal and upper-arm fat.

The Risks of Over-Extraction

More is not better when it comes to liposuction. Over-extraction significantly increases the risk of skin irregularities, dimpling, and pitting. For this reason, a skilled surgeon always leaves a minimum residual layer of fat to preserve smooth skin contour — ensuring that even if weight is gained later, the surface remains even and free of irregularities.

Critically, complications from over-extraction are not fully reversible — correcting them requires additional liposuction and fat grafting procedures. This is why the decision about how much fat to extract must be made with precision at the very first procedure.

Skin Elasticity Must Be Considered

True satisfaction after liposuction comes from addressing not just fat removal, but skin elasticity simultaneously. For patients undergoing large-volume extractions, or those in their 30s or beyond whose skin has lost natural elasticity, standard liposuction alone may be insufficient. Conventional liposuction delivers only about 2–5% skin tightening — it cannot meaningfully restore skin elasticity that has already been lost.

As with any procedure, a thorough consultation with the practitioner is essential to determine the most appropriate technique for each patient's unique anatomy and goals. Surgeon expertise is a critical factor — research the practitioners at your clinic before booking.

(Dr. Kim Hyun-soo, Apgujeong ReYeonK Dermatology)