What is liposuction?

Liposuction, sometimes referred to as “lipo” by patients, slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits and improving your body contours and proportion.

What liposuction can treat

• Abdomen
• Ankles
• Arms
• Buttocks
• Cheeks
• Chin
• Hips
• Knees
• Neck
• Thighs
• Upper arms
• Waist

Liposuction can be performed alone or along with other plastic surgery procedures, such as a facelift, breast reduction, or a tummy tuck.

What liposuction can’t do

Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise.

It is also not an effective treatment for cellulite—the dimpled skin that typically appears on the thighs, hips 

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

Liposuction is a highly individualized procedure. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

In general, good candidates for liposuction include:

• Adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have firm, elastic skin, and good muscle tone
• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Nonsmokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for body contouring

If you are bothered by excess fat deposits located anywhere on your body that don’t respond to diet or exercise, liposuction may be right for you.

What are the steps of a liposuction procedure?

The liposuction procedure includes the following steps:

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incision

Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions.

First, diluted local anesthesia is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through the incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back-and-forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.

Step 3 – See the results

Your improved body contour will be apparent once the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside. Get more information about liposuction results.

What should I expect during my liposuction recovery?

During your liposuction recovery, a compression garment or elastic bandages may cover treatment areas once your procedure is completed. These help to control swelling and compress the skin to your new body contours.

In addition, small temporary drains may be placed in existing incisions beneath the skin to remove any excess blood or fluid.

You will be given specific instructions that may include:

• How to care for the surgical site and drains
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
• When to follow up with your plastic surgeon

It may take several months for the swelling to fully dissipate. As it does, your new contours and enhanced self-image should continue to develop.

What results should I expect after liposuction?

The results of liposuction will be long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight and general fitness.

Your improved body contour will be apparent when the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside.

As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness, but most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.

Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

It is not possible to improve lax skin tone with liposuction.

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery.

The surgical incisions mustn’t be subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.