Liposuction

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical method of removing fat deposits. It involves inserting a specialized tube, known as a cannula, through the skin’s surface and into the fat-filled area between the dermis above and the muscle below. Moving the cannula back and forth dislodges the fat cells, which are then suctioned out through the tube. This reduces the volume in the treatment area, resulting in slimmer contours.

Popular areas for liposuction include:

• Abdomen
• Lower back
• Hips
• Thighs
• Knees
• Chin
• Neck
• Arms
• Underarms
• Breasts
• Calves
• Ankles

Patients often choose liposuction over non-invasive contouring methods because results are immediate, rather than those that may require several sessions such as CoolSculpting® and Kybella®.

Types of liposuction procedures

There are three types of liposuction methods we commonly use. We will discuss the best technique for your body and aesthetic goals during your consultation.

• Power-assisted, in which a cannula device moves in rapid, back and forth vibrations to break up fat cells. This method is best for large volumes or tough areas of fat.
• Ultrasound-assisted, which uses energy to “melt” fat.
• Tumescent liposuction, in which a sterile solution is infused into the treatment area to dissolve fat.

Read more about what a liposuction procedure can entail

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

Liposuction is not designed to help patients lose weight or improve health. Its purpose is to tackle resistant bulges of subcutaneous, exercise-resistant fat. We recommend that patients be close to their ideal body weight (within 30 percent), have good muscle tone, and have firm, healthy, elastic skin. Preferred candidates are people who are in good overall health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations.

What to expect at your liposuction consultation

Patients understandably have questions about surgical fat removal, from how to prepare for the procedure to liposuction cost and what to expect during the recovery process. During your consultation, our providers will discuss any concerns you have and go over the various methods of liposuction to determine which one is best for your aesthetic goals. We will also discuss risks so you are aware of any potential complications.

How to prepare for liposuction surgery

In the weeks and days leading up to the procedure, patients are asked to follow pre-surgical instructions. These usually include:

• Avoiding alcohol
• Stopping or altering blood-thinning medications and supplements
• Attending pre-surgery appointments and completing lab tests to determine current health status
• Refraining from eating and drinking at least 12 hours before the operation

What is liposuction recovery like?

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure, meaning it doesn’t usually require patients to be hospitalized overnight. Our team strongly recommends asking a friend, family member, or partner to drive you home afterward and watch over you during the following 24 hours. The anesthesia may cause you to feel drowsy or disoriented, and slow your reflexes during this time, so you shouldn’t drive or operate heavy machinery.

Due to the nature of liposuction, fat reduction results are technically visible right away. However, it may take some time for full results to be visible due to postsurgical swelling. Other side effects may include bruising and soreness in the treated areas. Depending on the scope of the procedure, it can take up to three months to be able to clearly see the final results after these post-surgical conditions resolve.

Most patients find they are able to return to their regular routines at home or work within one to two weeks (although vigorous physical activity should be avoided for a few more weeks). Compression garments are worn during the first several weeks after surgery to limit fluid accumulation, help control swelling, and improve the final result.
Exercise and other physical activities can be resumed in four to six weeks.

Maintaining liposuction results

It’s important to emphasize that while liposuction physically removes fat cells, it doesn’t prevent patients from putting on weight. If you add on pounds in the future, there is a risk that the remaining fat cells will expand. In these situations, it is also possible that your body will begin to store fat in new locations, causing bulges to appear somewhere else.

To maintain the results long-term, patients should be committed to sustaining a healthy lifestyle with appropriate diet, exercise, and other habits. It may be helpful to establish these habits well in advance of the procedure so returning to them afterward will be second nature.

Combining liposuction with other cosmetic procedures

Liposuction can be a component of many other surgical procedures. Patients seeking the removal of excess fat and loose skin from their abdomen may choose liposuction along with a tummy tuck to tighten that area. These are often elements of a Mommy Makeover, designed to help women regain the contours they enjoyed before pregnancy.

Some patients opt for a fat transfer during liposuction to augment other areas. Fat grafting requires the careful removal and processing of healthy fat cells to be injected in small amounts into creases on the face for smoother skin, as well as to even out post-surgical or age-related contour irregularities.

Patients not ready for the dramatic results of surgery have nonsurgical options, too, including Kybella injections to address a double chin, CoolSculpting to chill and reduce large and small stubborn pockets of fat all over the body, and EMSCULPT® to stimulate muscle contractions that tone the abs and buttocks while metabolizing small amounts of fat away for fine-tuning the physique.