Even though we all wish there was a “genie bottle” or “magic pill” to help us get rid of cellulite fast, but in the end the best cellulite removal method is good, old-fashioned, healthy nutrition and anti cellulite exercises.

Many experts agree that sophisticated treatments that promise to get rid of cellulite and cost hundreds of dollars may simply cause your skin surface to puff up slightly, temporarily reducing the appearance of cellulite. Treatments like liposuction (a surgery used primarily to remove fat) and mesotherapy (injection of drugs into cellulite) are expensive, painful, and they too may produce only temporary improvement. Many doctors even warn that liposuction is not an effective treatment for cellulite because liposuction is designed to remove deep fat instead of cellulite, which is close to the skin.

The Top Four Hamstring Exercises for Cellulite Reduction

I deeply believe (and am already starting to see results – wait, till I post some before and after photos!) – many experts agree, too – that an exercise routine that combines aerobic exercise with strength training is the best weapon against cellulite. They are free, long lasting, and provide benefits for your overall health.

With the right exercise plan, combined with proper diet, you can reduce cellulite and make your lower body look smoother and firmer. Now it’s just a matter of knowing what you need to eat, what exercises you should perform, the duration of your workout, and the rest of the specifics when it comes to “proper dieting and exercise.”

As I mentioned above, the areas that typically contain cellulite are the back of the legs, also known as the hamstrings. Below, I have listed 4 of the top hamstring exercises. Performing 4 sets 8 for 2 of the following 4 exercises, 3 days a week will tighten and firm up the trouble area found behind the upper leg.

1. Stiff Legged Dead Lifts

This exercise does not require any machines – just dumbbells and can be performed at home.

• Hold dumbbells at your sides. Keep your back straight and your feet slightly less than shoulder width apart.
• With your knees close to being locked, bend forward from the waist, until your upper body is parallel with the floor, letting your hands with the dumbbells hang at arm’s length close to the floor.
• You should feel the stretch in the back of your legs.  If you are very flexible and cannot feel enough of a strech, use a step or block to stand on so you can get a deeper bend.
• Lift your torso up again, keep your shoulders back, and arch your lower back in for a complete lower back contraction.

2. Lunges with dumbbells

This exercise does not require any gym machines- just dumbbells and can be performed at home.

• Hold two dumbbells at your sides
• With your back straight, head up, and chest out, step forward, bend your knees, and bring your trailing knee close to the floor. Take a big step – your back leg should be almost straight.
• Push yourself back up off your heel not your toe to the starting position with one strong movement, bringing your feet together, then step forward with the other foot and repeat the movement.
• Alternate the legs or do all repetitions with one leg, and then repeat with the other.

3. Standing Leg Curls

This exercise can be performed with leg curl machine or with ankle weights. If you have access to one or have it at home – great. Otherwise, do them at the gym or use ankle weights.

• Stand up to the leg machine and place one leg behind the lever mechanism.
• Keep yourself steady and curl the leg back toward your behind as much as possible. Get a peak contraction at the top and then lower the weight back to the starting position.
• Do the exercises slowly and be conscious of your movement.  Lift the leg and hold it there for one or two seconds. Lower the weight slowly.  Repeat the set with the other leg. Be conscious of your body and movement at all times, making sure your form is correct.

4. Leg Curls with Leg Curl Machine

This exercise requires leg curl machine. If you have access to one or have it at home – great. Otherwise, you will have to do it at the gym.

• Lay face down on the leg curl machine and place your heels under the lever mechanism. Your legs should be stretched out straight. Hold on to the handles or the bench.
• Curl your legs up until your hamstrings get a peek contraction. Release and lower the weight slowly back to the starting position. . Leg curls should be done through the fullest range of motion possible.

To see real benefits from this you must also follow a healthy diet and make other lifestyle changes, or your results will be very limited.

Other exercises that are great for leg cellulite, are squats and bike riding. If you have a bike – try to ride it 2-3 times a week. If the weather is bad, you might get yourself a bike trainer and ride at home (read some bike trainer reviews) or a just cheap, second-hand stationary bike that you may find on Ebay.

Read more in Killer Cellulite Exercises For Your Legs and Butt, How to Get Rid of Cellulite the Old-fashioned way.  To learn about other methods that you may try, visit Body Wraps for Cellulite Removal and How to Get Rid of Cellulite.

If you are trying to figure out how to get rid of cellulite on your tights, stomach, or legs, you may be feeling the same things that I was…

• You cringe every time you see the dimpled, lumpy skin on your buttocks, belly or thighs.
• You feel embarrassed by the ugly cottage-cheese skin on your your butt or your thighs, and you wish you could have that smooth, supple skin of your younger days.
• You are hiding your body under your clothes, wearing long pants and skirts – even in summer – because you’d rather be uncomfortable than let anyone see that orange peel on your body.
• You hesitate when it comes to being intimate, embarrassed by what your body looks like and afraid your partner will find your lumps and bumps a total turn off.
• You struggle through exhausting exercise…sweating and straining – yet no matter how hard you try or how tough your workout is, you just can’t get rid of that orange-peel skin.
• You’ve wasted a fortune on sure-thing creams to rid yourself of the awful cottage-cheese skin, followed the directions carefully, used them faithfully only to find your cellulite looks just as bad as before you started.
• You’re convinced there’s no hope, you’re stuck with your dimpled thighs forever, and no matter how hard you try … how intensely you exercise…you are doomed to lumpy skin for the rest of your life.

If you’re agreeing with any of these, keep reading, because there is hope.

Like you, I did not like the way I looked. I felt like everyone was staring at my dimpled skin so I’d hide myself under clothes, even though I was in good shape and by most people’s standards looked just fine. I was frustrated with that lumpy skin on the back of my thighs – I wanted to be rid of that awful looking, ugly cellulite but I had no idea where to start.

What is Cellulite?

Known also as orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin, the mattress phenomenon, and hail damage. Whatever the name, cellulite describes a condition that occurs in both men and women – although it is much more common in women – where the skin on the hips, thighs, and butt becomes dimpled. Cellulite can also be located on the back of arms, below the arm pit, and even on the chest.

It is estimated that cellulite affects 90% of all women and for many it is a source of frustration and embarrassment. While cellulite is normal for many women and some men as well, it’s considered unattractive, to the point where wearing a bathing suit or shorts becomes a sheer torture.

Cellulite is a term that is used to describe fat deposits trapped in fibrous pockets close to the skin that give the skin a dimpled or orange-peel like appearance. Fibrous strands of tissue connect your skin to deeper tissue layers, creating compartments of ordinary fat cells. When the fat cells increase in size, the compartments bulge and produce the dimpling appearance on your skin.

Cellulite

In overweight people excess fat is stuffed in these compartments causing them to bulge out. On the surface of the skin the bulging provides the dimply appearance of cellulite, especially in areas such as the hips, buttocks or thighs. However, slim women can develop cellulite too. Factors such as hormones, pregnancy, and aging may all attribute to the weakening of the collagen fibers to give the cellulite appearance.

According to most doctors cellulite is just plain fat. Some people have been speculating that cellulite is a particular “kind” of fat, with a higher level of toxins stored in it, but there is no scientific proof to this theory.

Note that cellulite is unrelated to cellulitis, which is infection of the skin and its underlying connective tissue.

How Do You Get Cellulite?

The causes are poorly understood, and several changes in metabolism and physiology may cause cellulite or contribute to cellulite. One explanation – which also explains cellulite’s very rare occurrence in men – is based on the composition and behavior of women’s fat cells and the connective tissue that holds fat cells in place. The female connective tissue is very inflexible. Thus, as women gain weight and their fat cells expand, and due to the lack of flexibility in the nearby connective tissue, fat cells tend to bulge upwards towards the surface of the skin, giving the classic orange-peel appearance of cellulite. In men, not only is there generally less fat on the thighs, but also the outer skin is thicker and thus obscures what is happening to any surplus fat below.

The reason men typically do not have cellulite is because of the way the fibers within their dermis are shaped. They aren’t crossed, but perpendicular to the skin, and so a build up of sweaty fat beneath the skin never takes place. Not only are the fibrous bands in women crossed, but they tend to be much tighter than men’s which causes a pulling on the skin and ends up causing the actual dimpling effect.

Another reason is because they have tougher skin dermis which doesn’t allow a build up of fat to collect. That is why men have smoother, tighter skin than we do.

Another factor is hormonal. Estrogen rev up fat storage as needed for menstruation and pregnancy. Plus, in the late stages of pregnancy estrogen can actually break collagen tissue fibers apart, which is a crucial step in relaxing the cervix for childbirth. Progesterone plays a role by stressing out our veins, making us retain fluid and causing you to put on the pounds.

Thin People Get Cellulite Too

It is a myth that you won’t get cellulite if you stay slim. Even if you have just 15% body fat, you can still have cellulite, even if you must squeeze the skin to see it.

You may be wondering how can you actually have a lump of fat on the outside of your thighs when you’re thin all over. Well, you just can. During the New York City Marathon, a number of female participants still had “cottage-cheese” kind of thighs. If you’re “programmed” to store it there, it’s very, very difficult to get it off, even if you don’t have it anywhere else.

There are a number of reasons thin women can still get cellulite which include the following:

• poor blood circulation
• unhealthy diet
• lack of exercise
• smoking
• yo-yo dieting

Have you ever heard that eating lots of bread or drinking lots of coffee and carbonated drinks causes cellulite? Well, although the result may be an increase in cellulite, the real cause isn’t the soda or bread. Cellulite is just fat deposited under the skin. By eating foods high in fat and calories you will increase your fat level, thus increasing your level of cellulite.

How to Get Rid of Cellulite: Cellulite Treatments and Cures

If cellulite is not even recognized as a disease by a medical field, is there such thing as a “cure?” Well, whether there is a “cure” or not, there are various methods of treatment available out there. All you need to do is begin a search for information about cellulite and you will find yourself bombarded with commercial messages. There are hundreds of resources claiming to reduce or eliminate the embarrassing orange-peel, and “for only $$$ you too can permanently get rid of this condition in just a few days.”

The most widely advertised methods are topical creams, body wrapping, electronic muscle stimulation and liposuction. Let’s take a look at each of them.

There are a lot of methods that claim to cure cellulite.

Topical Treatment Creams

The most popular of these are creams, gels, and bath liquids. These products are said to aid in smoothing, detoxifying, and rehydrating the “affected area”. Some of the claims are:

• Increased collagen production
• Strengthening collagen and elastin fibers
• Cellulite reduction through cellular stimulation to release stored fat
• Weight reduction through appetite suppression, increased metabolism, and fat burning
• Reduced water retention
• Massaging with cellulite cream is said to boost circulation and lymphatic drainage.

The efficacy of these products is often disputed, although some women say they do see some improvement. The use of moisturizing creams rich in the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E can be somewhat beneficial. The objective behind this type of treatment is to enhance the production of collagen which is a key factor in giving skin a smooth, supple appearance.

Whether you believe these claims or not, you want to keep in mind that many people have hidden allergies. These allergies only surface when the individual comes in contact with a “new” trigger. Some of these creams and other topical products contain ingredients that can be potentially harmful for certain people.

So, before you use any new topical treatment, carefully read the labels and follow directions. Obviously, if it contains an allergen that you already know affects you, you won’t want to use that particular product. Also, test the cream on a small area of skin and wait to see if you have any adverse reactions.

Persons who suffer from asthma need to pay particular attention. “Aminophylline,” an approved prescription drug used in the treatment of asthma, is an ingredient used in many thigh creams that claim to dissolve the fat and smooth the skin. Since some individuals suffer from allergic reactions to ethylenediamine, a component of aminophylline, these people may wish to avoid these products so that they don’t develop a sensitization (become allergic) to aminophylline. For these and other reasons the government argues that the majority of “topical agents and thigh creams” should be regulated as drugs.

Avoid most mainstream products because most contain aminophylline that can cause heart palpitations, anxiety and in extreme cases, respiratory failure. Instead you should look for topical cellulite treatments that contain these natural ingredients.

It’s best to stick with natural products, such as essential oils. Essential oils enhance circulation and help eliminate retained water. Some oils you may want to try include peppermint, grapefruit, cypress, juniper, rosemary, thyme, clary sage or lemon added to a base of jojoba oil for a bath oil. Apply essential oils to the affected areas. Theses oils stimulates circulation and get the blood moving in those areas ridden with cellulite.

Body Wrapping

Many spas and salons offer a treatment called body wrapping. This procedure claims to remove inches from the waist, thighs, hips or other parts of the body. The process includes the use of special wraps or clothing and can be used with special lotions or creams that are applied to the skin. Customers are usually told that they can lose “inches” as opposed to pounds and that fat will melt away bringing about a loss of inches in about an hour. One of the claims is that wrapping will work because cellulite is “water logged fatty tissue.”

Who can resist ads for body wraps that promise “to burn away fat even while you sleep,” to “lose 3-6 inches the first day?” What woman wouldn’t love to find a product that will render them slim and trim while they sleep?

So, if you have an event this weekend and need to fit into a dress that is too tight – then you may benefit from body wraps, even if the cellulite reduction is only temporary. Whether the experience reduces your cellulite or not, body wrapping can provide a pleasant and rejuvenating experience.

Endermology

During that treatment, for about 35 minutes a therapist works over the patient’s body with the machine, which looks like some type of space age vacuum. At one end of the hose is a hand piece, which the therapist rolls over the cellulite areas. Kind of like massaging fingers, the vacuum pump pulls a fold of skin up and kneads it between rollers.

Basically the way it works is by a combination of negative and positive pressure from rollers and suction works to swell the skin. The actual cellulite is not reduced, but the skin is slightly swollen after treatment. This swelling causes the cellulite to be slightly less noticeable. The swelling usually only lasts for 24 hours and then returns the normal.

Treatment is expensive and for most isn’t practical at all. A package of 20 sessions, 2 a week, can run from $1,500 to $2,200! Should you consider this? The answer is simply, No.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy, saunas, and the like, use the power of water to cleanse, detoxify, and stimulate. The idea is similar to that of creams. Ingredients used in hydrotherapy include ginkgo biloba, soy lecithin, grape seed bioflavanoids, sweet clover extract, evening primrose oil and fish oil.

Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

The concept behind electrical muscle stimulation is toning and reshaping, as tiny micro nutrients of energy conspire to lift and smooth the skin. One treatment usually lasts about 15 minutes and costs about $30.

Electrical muscle stimulation has been used by doctors for some time to increase blood circulation, prevent blood clots, relax muscle spasms, and rehabilitate muscle function after a stroke. Providers of EMS equipment for consumer use will tell you that the process will reduce breast size, remove wrinkles, perform face lifts and remove cellulite, although there is no clinical evidence that proves these claims.

The premise is that using EMS, the brain sends a nerve impulse to the “motor point” of the muscle you desire to change. This signal is a message to the muscle to expand and contract. Electrodes are placed on specific motor points of the muscle group(s) to be exercised. When the electrical stimulation is applied through the electrodes using a mild current the muscle will expand and contract. The theory is that this makes it possible to duplicate regular exercise without the effort using conventional means.

During conventional exercise, your brain is sending messages down the spinal cord through the nerves with the muscles you are using, causing them to relax and contract. Your brain is controlling the muscle with voluntary muscle action.

EMS uses the outside electrical source to stimulate the nerves and send signals to your muscle to expand and contract. It sends an electrical current through adhesive electrodes creating the expansion and contraction. This would be considered involuntary muscle action. It is believed by some that EMS stimulates large nerve axons, or long outgrowths of a nerve cell body. Some of these cannot be stimulated voluntarily so the logic is that EMS might allow for increased development of tissue by enlarging it without multiplying cells.

The EMS equipment for consumer use is a “massage like” device that consists of a hand held motorized device with two adjustable rollers and suction which creates a symmetrical skin-fold. The marketers claim that “the skin gently folds and unfolds under the continuous action of the rollers allowing for smooth and regulated deep tissue mobilization. As the viscosity of the subcutaneous fat layer decreases, blood flow and lymphatic drainage increase, facilitating the elimination of excess fluid and metabolites, while improving overall cellular function.” Whether you believe those claims or not, keep in mind that if not used properly these devices can produce harmful effects. If you ask me, this is a waste of time and money.

Liposuction Surgery

Another procedure being touted for the treatment of cellulite is liposuction surgery. Liposuction is an invasive procedure and involves surgery with a tool equipped with a v-shaped blade that is inserted through small excisions in the skin to cut the fibrous X shaped bands of tissue that form the structure where the cellulite is formed.

Once these bands are cut, some fat (cellulite) is suctioned out and some fat reinjected. This can produce a temporary smoothing, but eventually the cellulite almost always returns.

If you ask me, this is a very costly price to pay for temporary results and a risky procedure.

There is Hope!

No cream, oil, electronic device, or surgery can completely eliminate cellulite. Some may in fact slow down the accumulation and lesson appearance of cellulite temporarily, but none have been proven to actually reduce it.

With all this said, I am sure you are wondering if there is hope. Well,there really is hope. Study after study has shown that the key to reducing cellulite significantly is by a combination of both proper diet and anti Top Hamstrings Exercises for Cellulite Reduction , Killer Cellulite Exercises For Your Legs and Butt and Get Rid of Cellulite the Old-Fashioned Way.

Many spas and beauty salons offer a treatment called body wrapping. Body wraps are non-surgical treatment that promises to tighten your skin, reduce cellulite, eliminate toxins, and even help you lose a couple of inches after a single session.

The process includes the use of special wraps or clothing and can be applied with special lotions or creams that are applied to the skin. Customers are usually told that they can lose “inches” as opposed to “pounds” and that fat will “melt away” bringing about a loss of inches in about an hour.

Who can resist ads for body wraps that promise “to burn away fat even while you sleep,” to “lose 3-6 inches the first day?” What woman wouldn’t love to find a product that will render them slim and trim without the need for exercise or dieting?

What are body wraps really?

Some are plastic or rubber garments worn around the waist, hips and thighs, and others cover nearly the entire body. Some are applied at beauty salons, others can be worn at home while carrying out routine activities, while exercising, and even while sleeping. Some are inflated with air from a vacuum cleaner, others use an electric hair dryer to blow in warm air. Some are used after a cream, gel or lotion is applied or after the wrap is soaked in a solution.

Some people have tried using “plastic wrap” as body wrap material. In fact, that used to be a popular practice several decades ago. Body wrapping has evolved since those days, becoming much more sophisticated. Prices for a body wrap range anywhere from $40 an hour up to as much as several thousand dollars at some of the upscale spas.

The treatment may start with taking measurements from various areas around your body, including waist, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, thigh, and forearms. You may then be covered with a mineral salt and clay paste and wrapped tightly from ankle to neck in warm cotton bandages pre-soaked in a mineral salt and clay solution. The salt and clay mix exfoliates the old dead skin and draws out tissue waste.  Seaweed, mud and herbal wraps are also popular options. 

Herbs can be fresh or dried and usually organically grown is best. Each herb has a specific effect. Some increase circulation, another may soothe the skin and so on. The herbs are steeped in very hot water (almost boiling) then special muslin sheets are soaked in the solution, and these herb-infused sheets along with other insulating layers are wrapped around the body.

Most often, you will be wrapped from neck to toe with the arms set close to the sides of the body. This can be uncomfortable for someone who suffers from claustrophobia. The easiest correction for this is to keep the arms free from the wrap.

Body wraps are said to reduce body dimensions by removing fluids and/or toxins from the body. The goal is to create a condition not unlike your body when you have a fever. When we have a fever, our body eliminates toxins by sweating. It’s the same principle with body wraps. Some people report a very intense detoxification while for others it might be mild.

This detoxification process is what actually causes the inches to be lost as it tightens and firms the skin. The wrap helps to compact the soft body tissues and sculpt the body’s contours. That’s why you lose inches but don’t actually lose any weight.

Medical experts agree that such treatment will cause a loss of inches and perhaps pounds due to profuse perspiration. However, the reductions are only temporary. The fluid is soon replaced by drinking or eating. Keep in mind that rapid and excessive fluid loss is potentially dangerous because it can bring on severe dehydration and can upset the balance of important electrolytes in the body. Reputable spas are aware of any potential hazards such as this, so do your homework and select a spa with a good reputation.

Selecting the spa

Whatever type of body wrap you select make certain that you feel comfortable with the spa and that a technician is always close at hand. Care should be taken when selecting a salon or spa. Some things to consider:

• How long have they been offering body wraps?
• Do they have a licensed clinician whose sole purpose is massage and/or body wraps?
• Where do their herbs and other contents come from?
• Will they allow a tour of their facilities prior to signing up for the procedure?
• Have they had any unresolved complaints reported by the Better Business Bureau?
• Do they have any package pricing for multiple visits?

You may want to talk to your friends if they have had a body wrapping experience, whether they enjoyed it and what kind of results they experienced. You may even want to check for “two for one” specials and try it out with a friend! 

Body Wrap Results: Does it work?

Some advertising claims that body wrapping will eliminate, or at the least reduce, cellulite but I’ll leave that up to you to determine. Whether or not you will see permanent reduction in your cellulite is doubtful. 

However, you will most likely lose a few inches here and there (even, if just for a few days), and you will feel altogether healthier and revitalized. The results are terrific motivation to stick to a healthier diet and to maintain a regular exercise program in a bid to keep those extra inches at bay.

So, if you have an event this weekend and need to fit into a dress that is too tight – then you may want to give body wraps a try, even if the cellulite reduction is only temporary.

Read more in How to Get Rid of Cellulite main page and my posts: Get Rid of Cellulite the Old-fashioned way, Killer Cellulite Exercises For Your Legs and Butt, and Top Hamstring Exercises for Cellulite Removal.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure intended to remove fat deposits and shape the body. Fat is removed from under the skin with the use of a vacuum-suction canula (a hollow pen-like instrument) or using an ultrasonic probe that emulsifies (breaks up into small pieces) the fat and then removes it with suction.

If you have localized fat you may decide to have liposuction to remove fat from just one specific area. Keep in mind, thought, that liposuction is a procedure for shaping the body and is not recommended for weight loss.

Liposuction may be performed on the abdomen, hips, thighs, calves, arms, buttocks, back, neck, or face. A liposuction surgery may include more than one site, for instance, the abdomen, back, and thighs all on the same day.

Who performs liposuction and where is it performed?

Most liposuction procedures are performed by plastic surgeons or dermatologists. However, all that is required to perform liposuction is a medical degree, so any licensed physician may perform liposuction. It’s a good idea to find out all you can about a particular physician before considering him or her to perform your surgery. Check with your local licensing board, ask your physician how many procedures like yours has he/she done and request to see before and after photographs. Some professional organizations recommend special training for physicians, but it isn’t required by law. So the more information you can determine, the better you can feel about your procedure.

Don’t be afraid to ask your physician detailed questions about the surgery. Remember, you deserve to know the answers. Ask for in depth explanations of what your procedure consists of, what the risks are, and what results you can realistically expect.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure, so remember even the best screened patients under the care of the best trained and experienced physicians may experience complications as a result of liposuction. Emergencies may arise during any surgery and access to emergency medical equipment and/or a nearby hospital emergency room is important. These are things that you should ask your physician before the liposuction procedure.

Don’t base your decision simply on cost and remember that you don’t have to settle for the first doctor or procedure you investigate. The decision you make about liposuction surgery is an important one but not one that you must make right away.  Take your time to decide whether liposuction is right for you and whether you are willing to take the risks of undergoing liposuction for its benefits.

When is Liposuction not for me?

If you are considering liposuction as a means to lose weight, then liposuction is not for you. This is a procedure designed to shape the body and is not recommended for losing weight.

Cost is a huge factor to take under consideration. Since liposuction is primarily considered “cosmetic,” most medical insurance companies will not pay for the procedure placing the burden directly on you.

Complications can arise and are unavoidable in a percentage of all patients.

If you are on certain medications this may not be a procedure you should risk. Some of the considerations are:

Current infection
History of bleeding
Heart disease
Edema
Blood clotting medications
Anti-inflammatory agents
Anti-coagulants
Any medications that may interact with the drugs used during liposuction.

Your skin elasticity may not be adequate. Your doctor will evaluate the skin at the site where you are considering liposuction to determine if skin is elastic enough to shrink after liposuction. If it is not, it will be baggy after liposuction. This may cause you to have to consider plastic surgery to eliminate the excess skin.

Liposuction Risks

It is important to remember that liposuction is a surgical procedure and that there may be serious complications, including death.

Before you have liposuction, you should be aware of these risks and should weigh the risks and benefits. Don’t believe that complications “only happen to other people.” Try to avoid being influenced by friends that have had the procedure or doctors encouraging you to do so. Take your time deciding if you are willing to accept the risks of liposuction.

Before you undergo liposuction, you should have a complete physical exam so that your doctor can determine if you are an acceptable candidate for liposuction.

It is important for you to discuss any medical conditions that you have and to tell your doctor about any medications that you are taking including any herbal or other non-prescription ones. If your doctor decides that you can have liposuction, discuss the procedure thoroughly with him or her. Just because a physician says that you may have liposuction does not mean that you must decide to have liposuction. You may still change your mind even after discussing the procedure with a physician.

Your physician should be able to answer any questions that you have about liposuction including questions about what to expect during and after liposuction and the complications or problems that sometimes occur with liposuction. Some physicians will provide written information about liposuction.  

Have Realistic Expectations

While medical complications are important, the reason that people have liposuction surgery is for cosmetic reasons. The cosmetic effect after liposuction may be very good and many patients report being satisfied. However, it is possible that the cosmetic effect will not be what you expected. In other words, your appearance after liposuction may not be what you expected or wanted.

Some cosmetic shortcomings after liposuction include:

• There may be scars at the site where the doctor made the cut to insert the liposuction canula. These scars are usually small and fade with time but in some people, scars may be larger or more prominent.
• The liposuction site may have a wavy or bumpy appearance after liposuction.
• Liposuction results may not be permanent. If you gain weight after liposuction surgery, the fat may return to sites where you had liposuction or to other sites.
• Results may be less dramatic than what you were expecting and you may be disappointed.

The “make over” programs you may be watching on television give the impression that anyone and everyone is a candidate for a dramatic make over. Don’t enter into a decision based on what you see on television. The patients you see on television are the very best candidates in terms of health and other factors. They are selected based on the fact that their “before” and “after” will show drastic results. That just isn’t true for the average person.

What Are Some of the Alternatives?

Some of the alternatives to liposuction are:

• Eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh raw fruits and vegetables to lose some excess body fat and toxins
• Exercise more to strengthen muscles
• Learn to accept your body and appearance as it is
• Use clothing or makeup to downplay or emphasize body features that you don’t like
• Try some of the other methods that we discussed such as creams or body wrapping.

Read more on my blog How to Get Rid of Cellulite. To learn about other methods that you may try, visit Body Wraps for Cellulite Removal and other methods to Get Rid of Cellulite. Also readTop Hamstrings Exercises for Cellulite Reduction , Killer Cellulite Exercises For Your Legs and Butt.