A Study of Patient Satisfaction with Liposuction
Liposuction has become a popular procedure worldwide as the obese population has grown. In the United States, it is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure; according to a 2011 report by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, about 850,000 procedures are performed each year, making it a highly popular cosmetic surgery.
In addition, as the obese population continues to grow and interest in body contouring and health rises along with the concept of well-being, studies on liposuction, postoperative patient satisfaction, and changes in body image and self-esteem before and after surgery (postoperative self-esteem change) have also been reported.
However, some patients who have undergone liposuction were not satisfied and had several revision surgeries, yet in the end say they regret having had liposuction and that it would have been better to diet and exercise diligently. On the other hand, some patients are delighted, saying that if they had known how good it was, they would have had the surgery much sooner.
Why is that?
Of course, choosing a good clinic will lead to good results, and if you choose a clinic without much experience, you may come to regret your liposuction. But statistically, if you are treated by a reasonably skilled surgeon, how high is the satisfaction rate for liposuction?
This time, I will explain using published papers as examples.
[It is said that Olympic bronze medalists are happier than gold medalists.]
1. Broughton’s Study
In 2006, Broughton, a plastic surgeon at the University of Texas medical school in the United States, published a paper on postoperative satisfaction in 209 patients who had undergone liposuction.
A survey (questionnaire) was conducted among patients who had undergone liposuction, asking them to choose one of four responses about the surgery: very satisfied (44%), satisfied (36%), dissatisfied (13%), and very dissatisfied (7%).
About 80% were satisfied with their postoperative results, and 86% of the patients who had surgery answered that their body shape had improved compared to before. Furthermore, 53% said they were very satisfied and that the results were excellent. In the end, 79% said they would like to have another area treated, and 86% said they would recommend liposuction to others.
Two main conclusions can be drawn from this.
First, liposuction is a procedure worth having, with a satisfaction rate of about 80%, and satisfaction improves further after 6 months.
Second, considering that the University of Texas medical school is a world-renowned, highly skilled institution that produces many papers, a clinic that can achieve a satisfaction rate of about 80% can be regarded as a good clinic.
Then by what criteria is satisfaction judged? Some patients may be satisfied with a reduction in size, while others may be satisfied because their body lines have become more attractive.
Of course, choosing a skilled, reputable clinic is the most important factor in improving satisfaction, but even after surgery at a reasonably skilled clinic, there will be cases of dissatisfaction. This may be due to dissatisfaction with the size reduction, body lines that did not improve, or suffering from postoperative pain or complications, but I believe that in most cases it is because a sufficient preoperative consultation did not take place and the patient had unrealistic expectations. I believe the criteria for judging this satisfaction should be made objective through consultation.
In his book Tumescent Liposuction, Dr. Klein specifies the patients who should not undergo surgery as follows.
- Those with unrealistic expectations (a person weighing 60 kg will be able to wear the clothes from when they weighed 50 kg, it will fix a husband’s infidelity, they will get perfect results like a model).
- Those who make unreasonable demands, are discourteous, and distrust the doctor.
- Those who want a guarantee of perfect results.
- Those who lie about or refuse to provide information on their medical and surgical history.
In other words, those who have realistic expectations through objective and accurate consultation can be considered candidates for surgery. He also says the following about patients’ realistic expectations for liposuction.
Important Information about Tumescent Liposuction
Realistic expectations
Although the results of liposuction are often quite spectacular, it is not realistic to expect perfection. It is impossible to guarantee the precise amount of improvement that will result from liposuction. Patients should not have unrealistic expectations. Although patients can usually expect to achieve at least a 50% improvement, it is unreasonable to expect 95% improvement or near perfection. For the perfectionist, or for liposuction of a very large area, maximum improvement may require a second procedure, for which there would be an additional fee.
Patients who would be satisfied with a 50% improvement would be reasonably good candidates for liposuction.
The “50% improvement” is intentionally a vague measure. It indicates a definite perceptible improvement, but something short of perfection. If a 50% improvement would make a patient happy, it is likely that these expectations will be met. Our patients generally achieve more than a 50% improvement.
Important Information about Tumescent Liposuction
Realistic expectations
Although the results of liposuction are sometimes truly remarkable, it is not realistic to expect perfect results. It is impossible to guarantee a specific degree of improvement after liposuction. Patients should not have unrealistic expectations. Even though at least a 50% improvement can usually be expected, it is not reasonable to expect a 95% improvement or something close to perfection. For perfectionists, or for those who want a very large area treated, a second procedure will be needed to achieve maximum satisfaction, and an additional fee will have to be paid for it.
It is reasonable to judge that patients who would be satisfied with a 50% improvement are good candidates for liposuction.
‘50% improvement’ is an intentionally vague figure. It means a clearly perceptible improvement, but something short of perfection. If a 50% improvement can make a patient happy, these expectations are likely to be met. Our patients generally achieve more than a 50% improvement.
Cosmetic surgery is about improving on your preoperative state, not making your imagination a reality. And if you have only realistic expectations through sufficient preoperative consultation, I believe you will be happy after surgery.
2. Goyen’s Study
In another study, in 2002, Goyen and colleagues, dermatologists in Australia, reported that 80.5% were satisfied after liposuction, 74.8% experienced improved self-esteem, and 87% said it had become easier to dress. Although it is a subjective perspective, 83.7% answered that they felt happy about their figure when looking in the mirror, 81.3% said they would like to have liposuction on another area, and 86.2% reported that they would recommend liposuction to others.
In conclusion, if you choose a good clinic, liposuction is a procedure with a high satisfaction rate of over 80%, so I can say there is no need to feel burdened about the surgery.
In Korea, however, there is a perception that liposuction is dangerous, and a feeling that paying for surgery when diet and exercise are available will draw disapproving looks from others. As a result, many people seem to recognize the need for liposuction while remaining conscious of the negative views of those around them.
In fact, when talking with patients about liposuction during treatment and consultations, I quite often see cases where they hide the fact that they had liposuction out of concern for how others see them, and I even receive requests from patients to keep the fact that they had surgery a secret from those around them.
4. Studies by Rorich and Cardenas-Camarena
Rorich and colleagues cited the following four key elements for achieving a satisfactory liposuction result:
They also stated that lifestyle improvements are needed after surgery, which requires the support and help of a spouse and others around the patient.
In other words, beyond choosing a good clinic and having the liposuction itself performed successfully, liposuction is a procedure that removes subcutaneous fat to shape a beautiful body, and a satisfactory result can be achieved in patients who have realistic expectations and manage their lifestyle well after surgery.
In fact, Cardenas-Camarena, who reported on large-volume liposuction, reported in 1999 that satisfaction after large-volume liposuction was very high at 92%. Given that after large-volume liposuction the loosened skin does not fully retract and skin sagging and wrinkles occur more often than with ordinary-volume liposuction, yet satisfaction is still higher, this shows how great an influence realistic expectations have on satisfaction after liposuction.
5. Venus Clinic’s View
Until now, cosmetic surgery has mostly consisted of procedures to beautify the face, but as society develops and the economy becomes more prosperous, attention is increasingly focused not only on the face but also on the beauty of the body shape. A beautiful face as well as a beautiful figure and a well-balanced body can bring self-esteem and happiness to oneself and pleasure to others.
At Venus Clinic, too, when we consult with patients after liposuction, we are often surprised by their satisfaction with the surgery and by their interest in and efforts toward dieting and health. We see cases where patients who distrusted the results of liposuction before surgery and held prejudices about the procedure’s complications and dangers came in reluctantly, led by someone else, had surgery half-heartedly, and then, satisfied with the results, brightened up and, full of confidence, took up dieting actively and worked hard at it. In the case of large-volume liposuction in particular, the changes are often even more dramatic.
Coming up on three months for my abdomen, and one month for my arms!!
I used to be negative about liposuction. Was it that TV show Zero Complaints?? It showed cases of side effects that were so horrible I just did not feel like doing it. Meanwhile, my wedding was getting closer and closer... The weight I had lost through exercise came back with the yo-yo effect, so I threw caution to the wind, ate whatever I wanted, and gave up exercising, and then my fiance suggested I give it a try... So, holding his hand, I went to Venus Clinic in Bucheon. Even while listening to the explanation I was lukewarm:' It cannot really be that good' how much could I possibly lose? It is all just a sales pitch, a sales pitch'
Then I set a surgery date, canceled it, set it again, and had my abdomen done. When I looked at the photos a month later, it was really different. My lines had come back, haha. The lines I had briefly seen in my life and then lost, hahaha
A friend saw it and said she might try it too, and was secretly envious.
Right after surgery my arms were so heavy I could barely lift them, but as they gradually slimmed down, it was really great.
I do not know when it will be, but I have even made up my mind that I will do my lower body someday too.. haha
Anyway, my confidence has returned since the surgery, and it really is great.
----------------- From a review by Voice of the Heart
In the before-and-after photos of Voice of the Heart below, the pure volume of fat aspirated was 4000 cc.
Most people who want liposuction have struggled with stress about their body shape, or have developed resistance to dieting and, because of the yo-yo effect, resigned themselves to being obese, and choose liposuction as a last resort.
In other words, the value of liposuction lies in the fact that, by improving one’s positive body image and self-esteem and relieving dissatisfaction and stress about body shape, patients can gain greater confidence at work, greater job satisfaction, and the psychosocial stability to maintain smooth interpersonal relationships. However, I also believe that a social environment must be created in which patients, through active correction of lifestyle habits after surgery, are given the opportunity not only to improve their health but also to open up a new life and enhance their quality of life.
Liposuction is a surgery that removes the fat layer to shape a beautiful body, and it has advantages beyond losing weight through diet and exercise. Now, if you are mentally prepared, it seems the time has come to focus your efforts on choosing a good clinic with high postoperative satisfaction.
References
On Choosing a Liposuction Clinic
[Dr. Wonho Jung, Director of Venus Clinic]
