Despite their best efforts to diet and exercise, many men and women continue to struggle with stubborn pockets of fat in areas such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, and flanks. Liposuction is an effective procedure designed for removing these excess pockets of fat and to create a more refined body contour.
While we have seen that liposuction can make a dramatic improvement in body shape and proportion, it is important to understand that this is not a treatment for obesity. During the procedure, our surgeons make small, strategically placed incisions and use a cannula to remove the excess fat. When this is performed, the resulting scars are very minimal and well concealed within the natural body’s contour, such as along the belly button and along the bikini line.
Because of this procedure’s versatility, proven safety, and ability to deliver long-lasting results, liposuction remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed today.
Potential Benefits: Liposuction can permanently remove localized fat deposits that have not responded to diet and exercise, helping improve body contour, enhance body proportions, and create a more fitting look when in clothing.
Ideal Candidates: Liposuction is best suited for healthy adults who are near their ideal body weight but have specific areas of stubborn excess fat they would like to address. Candidates should have realistic expectations and be committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle to help preserve long-term results.
Procedure: Dr. Stephen A. Schantz and Dr. J. Brad Turner commonly perform liposuction using the tumescent technique. During the procedure, a specialized solution containing saline, epinephrine, and local anesthetic is injected into the treatment area before excess fat is carefully removed through small, strategically placed incisions. This technique helps minimize bleeding and bruising while promoting smoother, more precise contouring.
Recovery: Liposuction is typically performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day. A compression garment is generally worn for approximately six weeks to help reduce swelling and support the healing process. Most patients are able to resume light daily activities within a short period of time and gradually return to exercise and more strenuous activities over the following several weeks.
Surgeons: Dr. Schantz and Dr. Turner are experienced plastic surgeons serving patients within the Lexington area with extensive experience performing liposuction across a wide range of treatment areas. They are committed to delivering refined, natural-looking results tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and goals.
Most external areas of localized fat deposition in the body can be potentially treated with liposuction. In women the most frequently treated areas are the outer thighs and hip area followed by the abdomen (stomach). In men the abdomen and flanks, or “love handles,” are most popular. Other commonly treated areas are the knees, back, chest, and arms. Our experienced facial plastic surgeon also offers neck liposuction.
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The term “tumescent technique” involves the injection of a large amount of fluid containing saline, adrenaline and local anesthetic into a fatty area. By “wetting” the fat this allows easier fat removal, smoother contouring, elimination of pain and reduction of bleeding, bruising and swelling.
Following liposuction, patients are fitted with a compression garment before leaving for home. Wearing it consistently for approximately six weeks helps reduce swelling, support treated tissues, and allows the body to settle into its new contours. As swelling decreases, many patients find it more comfortable to transition to fitted lycra or spandex garments for continued gentle compression.
Initial soreness is managed with oral pain medication. Bruising typically resolves within about six weeks, while swelling can take two to four months to fully subside, so it is important to be patient as the final results gradually emerge. Most patients are able to resume light activities relatively quickly, with a return to more demanding exercise guided by your surgeon’s individualized recommendations.
Many patients who maintain good health and lifestyle habits and who are able to minimize weight fluctuations can generally expect:
One of the advantages of liposuction is that the incisions required are very small, typically only a few millimeters in length. Our plastic surgeon takes care to place incisions in discreet locations whenever possible so that any marks can be easily concealed. Incision sites may appear slightly pink in the weeks following surgery, but for most patients these marks fade to some extent and flatten over several months.
Combining liposuction with other procedures can help many patients achieve a more comprehensive result. Commonly paired treatments include:
Tummy Tuck – Liposuction removes unwanted fat, but does not address excess skin or weakened abdominal muscles. Pairing the two can produce a dramatically smoother, more toned midsection.
Breast Reduction – For women with disproportionate breast volume, combining liposuction with a breast reduction can create a more balanced overall silhouette.
Breast Lift – A breast lift addresses sagging or loss of shape in the breasts, complementing the contouring effects of liposuction for a more youthful, proportionate appearance.
Breast Augmentation – Slimming the midsection through liposuction sometimes creates a desire for more balanced upper body volume, which breast augmentation can provide.
The best combination of procedures for your individual goals will be determined during your personal consultation.
The adult human has a finite number of fat cells and liposuction removes a portion of them. If one were to gain weight after liposuction the remaining fat cells can increase in size (this is how the body gains weight) but because there are fewer fat cells left in an area treated with liposuction, the added weight tends to distribute itself more evenly throughout other areas of the body. Remember liposuction is not a weight loss technique; it is rather a technique for contouring limited areas of the body. Continuing a proper diet and exercise are important following liposuction to maintain the body’s new contours.
To learn more about liposuction, or to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled plastic surgeons, please contact us today.
