We are leaders in cosmetic surgery, facial aesthetics, and medically supervised weight loss, serving the entire San Francisco Bay area. Whether you live in the Bay Area or are coming in from out of town, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have on your path to your new self. Book your cosmetic surgery intro call or Med Spa consultation today and take the first step towards realizing the look you’ve always wanted for yourself.
Liposuction
Saggy skin a result of liposuction?
We like to describe liposuction and the resulting skin effects like letting the air out of a balloon. As you remove more fat there is a greater chance of skin sag. Similarly in a balloon - as you let some air out the balloon initially just gets smaller... but if you let enough out it begins to sag. Your skin acts the same way. How much you can remove depends on many factors including technique, skin elasticity, etc.
Clinical Context
Skin's ability to tighten after liposuction depends mainly on the dermis, the layer containing collagen and elastin fibers that give skin its firmness and stretch. Younger skin, with more of these fibers, usually retracts well after fat removal. Over time, sun exposure and aging reduce collagen and elastin, making skin less elastic and more prone to sagging after significant fat removal. This explains why results vary between patients even with similar liposuction volumes.
Related Questions
