There’s this false idea out there that people have when it comes to cosmetic surgery and what type of effects it can have on the body. More specifically, people imagine that the average patient is an obese lazy individual who doesn’t eat well and never exercises, and is using liposculpture surgery (also called liposuction) to take a quick short cut to a slim, fit and trim body.

This image is not accurate for a number of reasons. First of, as noted at the Liposculpture Guide, the amount of fat that can be removed from the body without causing undue health risk tops out at about 10 pounds. This means that no one is going to go into a doctors office for liposculpture with a big fat belly and walk out with a slim waist and a six pack on their abs!

Furthermore, doctors recommend liposculpture not as a replacement for diet and exercise, but more as a last resort. When meeting with a cosmetic surgeon or liposculpture doctor for a consultation, it’s necessary to discuss your previous health history, including your current diet, history of weigh loss and weight gain, as well as how often (or not) you exercise. It’s at this point that many learn from their doctor that the ideal liposculpture patient is someone who is already fairly healthy, doesn’t smoke cigarettes, eats decently, and exercises in moderation.

This thought makes some scoff, but it’s actually closer to the reality of what the average patient is like, unlike the myth of the obese lipo patient. The reason for this is that liposculpture is often used as a means to “fix” those trouble or problem areas that diet and exercise alone were unable to change. For instance, some women find that the shape or size of the calves or thighs tend to run in their family, genetically, and while they exercise regularly, it feels impossible to break out of that genetic linkage.

When it comes to cosmetic surgery, myth abounds more than fact, but it’s wise to learn the facts before you spread the myths!