What’s your least favorite body part? We all have one unfortunately!  Despite all the popularity of low carb diets, keeping a food diary, or even diet pills, most people still fight bulging bellies and flabby thighs. No wonder liposuction is the third-most-requested cosmetic surgery procedure! (according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS)). Even the recession isn’t keeping people away from lipo! 245,000 procedures were performed last year, at an average cost of $4,000!

According to most doctors the ideal liposuction candidate is someone who works out regularly and has a healthy body fat percentage and is mostly bothered by small fat deposits in one or two specific spots (such as the dreaded “muffin top”). However, most patients who request liposuction are out of shape and turn to surgery as a shortcut to lose weight. This can cause disappointment down the road because “liposuction changes the way you gain and lose weight.” When fat is removed by liposuction, it can prompt the body to gain weight in areas that previously weren’t problem spots. In fact most doctors say they frequently sees patients return two to four years after their first procedure to request it again.

Think liposuction is still for you? Check out the risks involved and, of course make sure you consider all the side effects. If you’re not ready for the leap into liposuction, there are a few things to try to get your body headed in the right direction. Count your calories. Get out and exercise whether it be exercise videos, the gym or your bike. Make sure your fitness plan combines aerobic exercise, cross training and weight lifting.