Liposuction

Results from liposuction lasts for many years, as the fat is removed from the body. However, natural processes such as weight gain, aging, factors from pregnancy, and other lifestyle factors, including genetics, can cause variations. It is important to maintain a stable weight and to exercise after surgery to ensure the longevity of the results. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen will help the results last longer. If you are in the process of losing weight, it is best to be near or at your weight loss goal before having the procedure done. Following the doctor’s specific instructions after surgery will help the results from your procedure last as long as possible. This will ensure the best and longest lasting results from the procedure.

Choosing the right plastic surgeon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when considering liposuction. Here are some tips on how to select a qualified, experienced liposuction surgeon:

• Look for board certification. Make sure the surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This rigorous certification process ensures the surgeon has undergone extensive training and meets high standards of patient safety and care.
• Seek a surgeon with specialized experience. Choose a surgeon who focuses a significant amount of their practice on body contouring procedures like liposuction. An experienced liposuction surgeon will have the skills to sculpt your body beautifully and minimize risks.
• Review before and after photos. Reputable surgeons will provide many examples of their liposuction patients’ results. Evaluate these photos to get a sense of the surgeon’s aesthetic style and abilities. Make sure the photos represent outcomes you find aesthetically pleasing.
• Read reviews and feedback. Check online reviews and testimonials to learn about former patients’ experiences. Opt for a surgeon that comes highly recommended by the majority of their patients. This indicates satisfied customers and reduced risk of complications.

Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon with specialized liposuction experience will help ensure you get the safest, most satisfying results from your body contouring procedure.

How to Choose a Qualified Liposuction Surgeon

Ideal liposuction candidates should have realistic expectations about the procedure and results. It is important to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss solution and has limitations in terms of the amount of fat that can be removed. The best results are seen in patients with firm, elastic skin that will reshape nicely over the new body contours.

Good candidates for liposuction will meet certain health and lifestyle requirements. Your surgeon will assess your medical history and risk factors during a consultation. In general, you may not be a suitable candidate for liposuction if you:

• Have a weakened immune system or chronic medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease
• Have poor circulation or blood clotting disorders
• Smoke cigarettes
• Have recently gained or lost a significant amount of weight
• Take medications like blood thinners
• Have loose, sagging skin that won’t reshape well after liposuction

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Be prepared to discuss your health history, goals, and expectations openly so your surgeon can make an informed assessment.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with liposuction. The most common risks include bruising and swelling after the procedure. As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection if not taken care of properly. Blood clots and nerve damage are other risks from the procedure, but are uncommon. Strictly following the doctor’s instructions for aftercare can help decrease the chance of these risks.

Chin augmentation procedures such as chin liposuction and chin implants help change and define the contours of the chin. Liposuction removes stubborn fatty deposits under the skin. This can be done on the body or on the face, to contour the cheeks, chin, or jawline. 
Lipo under the chin works by removing fat under the chin and along the jawline to sculpt the face. This gives a more defined and sculpted jawline, and removes the appearance of a double chin. Results from this procedure are seen immediately after surgery is performed. Chin lipo is often performed with a neck lift or a face lift. 
 Although the basis for liposuction is removal of fat deposits, liposuction is NOT a substitute for weight loss. If you are planning on losing a large amount of weight, you should talk to your doctor about the best time to have the procedure in your weight loss process.

Typically, those who are in their late twenties through early fifties have better skin elasticity, something needed for the skin to contract fully after liposuction. There are other procedures that can help contour the jawline, face, and neck as well, such as a neck lift, face lift, or minimally invasive procedures like Profound, which uses radio-frequency to help tighten skin. Chin implants are another option for those looking to contour their lower face. This is an implant that is shaped to your face needs and placed around the chin bone, to add volume and change the contours of the chin and lower jawline. 

The results from chin lipo should last many years. However, natural processes such as weight gain or loss, aging, pregnancy, lifestyle factors, and genetics can cause variations. If you are in the process of losing weight, it is best to meet your weight loss goal before the procedure is performed, to ensure the longest lasting results.

Since the face covers a smaller area than the body, a liposuction procedure on the face costs less than that on the body. 

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure, meaning the patient will be able to go home after surgery. The patient is under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation (twilight anesthesia) for the procedure. Small incisions are made near the areas of treatment and a very thin tube called a cannula is inserted under the skin to reach fat deposits. The cannula is attached to a vacuum, and the doctor will move the tube under the skin, to suction out fatty deposits. The fat can also be inserted into other areas of the body, to help contour and shape other areas. Liposuction is an outpatient procedure, so hospitalization is not required. Patients should plan on having someone to drive them home from the procedure.

Liposuction is an outpatient treatment, so no hospital stay is required unless the patient has a medical history that requires hospitalization. Swelling and bruising are normal after the procedure. A compression garment is required after surgery. Patients can normally return to work several days after the procedure, depending on the physical intensity of the job. Normal physical activity can be resumed when cleared by the doctor, normally two to three weeks after surgery. Do not resume normal physical activity or return to work until cleared by the doctor.

The results of liposuction are permanent, as the procedure removes fat cells from treated areas. However, it’s important to maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle after liposuction. Significant weight fluctuations can impact your results. With proper care, most patients enjoy long-lasting, aesthetically-pleasing contouring from their liposuction procedure.

Liposuction is not a pain-free procedure, but your surgeon will take steps to help manage discomfort. You’ll be given anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the surgery. After liposuction, soreness, swelling and bruising are common. Your doctor can prescribe medication to help control post-op pain. Discomfort usually improves significantly within a week after surgery.

There are no strict limits on the amount of fat that can be removed with liposuction, but there are safety guidelines. Large volume liposuction involves removing more than 5 liters of fat. This carries increased risks and should be performed carefully by an experienced surgeon. Most patients have between 2-5 liters removed. The amount that can be safely removed depends on the locations treated and your body’s composition.

Options like CoolSculpting, ultrasound cavitation treatments, or radiofrequency skin tightening can reduce small, localized fat bulges without surgery. However, these non-invasive options do not provide the same dramatic contouring and body shaping results that surgical liposuction can deliver. For patients with good skin elasticity seeking significant fat reduction, liposuction may be preferable over non-surgical alternatives.