What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure that can remove stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. It requires a small incision through which a cannula can be inserted to manually break up the fat and remove it using a surgical vacuum. The result is a slimmer, more contoured figure when traditional fat loss methods don’t seem to produce results. There are a few different types of liposuction that utilize different technologies with benefits like skin tightening along with fat removal. Traditional liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed each year.

At Aspira Plastic Surgery, many of our patients are active and healthy. Austin is a city that values healthy lifestyles- our citizens work out, they eat right, they do everything they’re supposed to. This work is invaluable, and you deserve praise for your healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, a healthy lifestyle sometimes isn’t enough to craft the body you want.

What Liposuction Can Treat

Liposuction should not be considered a weight loss surgery. Rather, it can remove localized fat deposits that don’t respond to traditional diet and exercise methods. Some of the most common treatment areas for liposuction include the stomach, thighs, hips, arms, chin, and back. For best results with traditional liposuction, it’s important to have good skin elasticity, meaning it’s not stretched from weight gain or pregnancy. Otherwise, laser liposuction options like SmartLipo can offer effective skin tightening at the same time as removing fat.

Who Can Benefit from Liposuction?

Physically Fit

If you are the type of patient that takes good care of their body daily but still have trouble seeing results in certain targeted areas, liposuction is a good solution for you. Having a healthy lifestyle already in place is especially important for liposuction patients to guarantee long-lasting results.

Good Skin Elasticity

The ideal candidate for liposuction is someone who has enough skin elasticity in which they will be able to recover from the fat loss without excess skin as a result. Liposuction is intended for the elimination of localized fat and is not intended as a weight-loss procedure.

Localized Stubborn Pockets of Fat

If you are in good shape already but still have some stubborn pockets of fat, Liposuction can be used to better sculpt these areas to help your body reflect all of the hours you put in each week to maintaining your healthy lifestyle.

Liposuction Procedures

Traditional

In the traditional liposuction procedure, we inject an anesthetic solution to the treatment area. We then make a small incision and insert a small tube, known as a cannula. We use the cannula to remove fat cells.

SmartLipoâ„¢

Traditional liposuction is quite safe and effective, but it can cause some trauma to surrounding tissue. That requires downtime for recovery. SmartLipoâ„¢ avoids this by using precise medical lasers and a vibrating cannula to melt and break down fat cells before removing them. This greatly eases the removal process, reducing trauma and recovery time.

What Should I Expect During a Consultation for Liposuction?

During your liposuction consultation, Dr. Erella will examine the area you wish to have treated and determine whether liposuction is the best option for you. He may take photographs as well to develop a treatment plan for your procedure. In addition, you should be prepared to explain your goals for liposuction and discuss any medical conditions, medications, allergies, or previous procedures. Finally, your consultation is the time for you to ask any questions you might have about the surgery or recovery.

Liposuction Concerns

Recovery

Liposuction has been around for a very long time and has a lot of research collected on the topic. This predictability allows us to have a good understanding of what our recovery times and management will be like. As always, Dr. Erella will provide you with instructions for aftercare and recovery.

Scars

Scarring for liposuction will be minimal in comparison to other procedures. This is because liposuction is performed using a cannula which is quite small, so scarring will be minimal and will most likely heal seamlessly.

Cost

The cost of a liposuction procedure varies based on the practice and the technique used. A consultation with Dr. Erella is the best way to determine the cost of your liposuction procedure.

Pain

Once the anesthetic wears off, you may experience some pain. However, this should subside over the next several days. Dr. Erella will provide you with all the instructions and medications needed for you to have a safe and effective recovery.

What questions should I ask my plastic surgeon about liposuction?

At your consultation, you will have the chance to ask Dr. Erella any questions you may have. Many patients find it useful to prepare questions ahead of their appointment, so they don’t forget any important details. Some questions patients commonly ask include:

  • What experience, training, or certification do you have to perform liposuction?
  • Am I a good candidate for liposuction? Why or why not?
  • Where will my liposuction be performed? Is the facility accredited?
  • What will I need to do before and after the procedure to achieve the best liposuction results?
  • How long will my recovery process be?
  • What results can I reasonably expect from liposuction?

Liposuction Frequently Asked Questions

ARE YOU PUT TO SLEEP FOR LIPOSUCTION?

Liposuction can be done under general anesthesia or under local without general anesthesia. I usually perform under local in office.

CAN VISCERAL FAT BE REMOVED?

Visceral fat can not be removed through liposuction. By doing diet and exercise or bariatric surgery they can loose visceral fat.

DOES A TUMMY TUCK REMOVE FAT?

Tummy tuck removes loose skin along with the fat attached to that part and tighten the abdominal muscles. Where as liposuction removes the fat and leaves the skin.

HOW DANGEROUS IS LIPOSUCTION?

It very safe. It is one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the world.

IS IT EASIER TO LOSE WEIGHT AFTER LIPOSUCTION?

Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. Patients should be near their ideal weight and committed to a healthy lifestyle prior to getting liposuction. It is important to stick to a healthy lifestyle to maintain results.

WHO IS GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LIPOSUCTION?

In general, a good candidate needs to be three things: in good physical health, have good skin elasticity and have realistic expectations. After establishing your liposuction candidacy, Dr. Erella will discuss your liposuction options personally and help you find a variation on the liposuction procedure that safely meets your aesthetic goals.

DOES FAT COME BACK AFTER LIPO?

Fat is removed from the area with liposuction. It will not come back into the same area, but it is possible to gain fat in other areas. The best way to avoid gaining fat again is through diet and exercise.

DOES LIPOSUCTION GET RID OF CELLULITE?

No. It will remove fat, but cellulite may or may not change

DOES LIPOSUCTION REALLY WORK?

Yes in right individuals and it is one of the most common cosmetic procedures

HOW CAN I AVOID WEIGHT GAIN AFTER SURGERY?

Healthy diet and exercise will help to avoid gaining weight after surgery

Schedule A Consultation

Aspira Plastic Surgery offers a solution: liposuction. A body procedure that can remove unwanted fat deposits and contour the treatment area in a pleasant, aesthetically pleasing manner. If you live in or around the Austin, Texas area and you’re considering liposuction, please call Aspira Plastic Surgery today at (512) 730-3885.