Liposuction 101: Everything You Need to Know About Lipo

No matter how hard you work to achieve a sculpted figure, you probably have areas of fat that refuse to budge. Each body stores fat in different ways, but these problem areas often resist our best efforts to shape them. Liposuction is a powerful body contouring tool that targets unwanted fat to help you achieve the figure you have worked for.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a method of body sculpting that removes unwanted fat. It can be used in many different areas, including small ones such as the neck or large ones like the abdomen. Often known as lipo, this popular procedure can be performed alone or in combination with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift. Your surgeon at Specialty Aesthetics Surgery performs liposuction with an eye for aesthetically pleasing, sculpted results.

Liposuction 101: Everything You Need to Know About Lipo

If you are considering lipo, there are a few things you should know about this procedure. While liposuction is widely used, it is not right for everyone. Only a consultation will allow us to determine whether liposuction is the best way for you to achieve your goals.

How Does Liposuction Work?

Your surgeon may perform liposuction under local or general anesthesia, depending on your needs. You are more likely to receive general anesthesia if you are having lipo as part of a larger procedure. One or more small incisions are made around the targeted area, and your surgeon inserts a thin tool called a cannula. The cannula is used to break up fat and suction it out of the body. Because the cannula is blunt, it can separate fat cells without causing any damage to important structures.

What Areas Can You Treat With Lipo?

Liposuction can be used in most of the places where we accumulate stubborn fat. Popular areas for liposuction include:

Abdomen
Thighs
Upper arms
Neck or under the chin
Waistline
Hips
Chest
Back

Your consultation will give you a chance to discuss all your areas of concern and find out whether lipo is the best way to address them. Surgeons often use liposuction during a procedure like a neck lift or tummy tuck to improve the shape and contours of the final results.

Your surgeon may recommend Morpheus radiofrequency skin tightening to firm the skin after liposuction, especially if you have skin laxity. This treatment triggers collagen production to lift and smooth the skin.

How Much Fat Can Be Removed During Liposuction?

The amount of fat removed during liposuction varies widely. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure and is not intended for weight loss, so you should not expect to lose weight as a result of lipo. In general, the amount of fat removed depends on the size of the treatment area, the amount of fat removal needed to achieve your desired results, and how much your surgeon considers safe.

Safety is always our priority at Specialty Aesthetics Surgery. We will discuss expectations and treatment goals during your consultation so you know how much fat removal you may experience. Removing too much fat in one procedure may be unsafe or achieve less than optimal results. Many people find that removing a fairly small amount of fat can make a dramatic difference in their problem areas.

What is Recovery Like After Liposuction?

You can expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort after liposuction. Larger areas and more extensive fat removal will typically require more recovery time than small areas. Most people return to work within one to two weeks, depending on the details of their procedure and how much activity their job requires.

You may have a compression garment to wear for several weeks after the procedure. Most people can resume their usual activities, including their exercise routine, after four to six weeks. Swelling will decrease significantly after the first week or two, but it can take several months to resolve fully.

How Long Do Liposuction Results Last?

The adult body does not grow new fat cells. Fat removal with liposuction is permanent, and those cells will never return. The remaining fat cells can still shrink or expand if your weight changes. The best way to keep your sculpted shape is to lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain a consistent weight. Liposuction results can last a lifetime.

Am I a Good Candidate for Body Sculpting With Lipo?

Good candidates for liposuction want to target specific areas of problem fat to achieve a more sculpted figure. Candidates should be in good health and have reasonable expectations. Those with a significant amount of loose skin may benefit more from a procedure like a tummy tuck or neck lift. Ideal lipo candidates are at or near their target weight and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Take the Next Step – Request a Consultation

Want to learn more about liposuction? Schedule your consultation online or by calling Specialty Aesthetic Surgery at (212) 737-8700. We look forward to working with you!

Specialty Aesthetic Surgery serves the greater NYC metro area.

About Our Surgeons

Bruce Moskowitz is an experienced and board-certified oculoplastic surgeon. His practice encompasses all areas of oculoplastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He has a well-known reputation for revision surgery, and a large portion of his practice comes from other colleagues to revise sub-optimal outcomes.

Grigoriy Mashkevich is an experienced and double-board certified facial plastic surgeon. He belongs to a highly select group of surgeons with a focused specialization in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the nose, face, and neck.