Liposuction at a Glance
- Sedation: General anesthesia
- Procedure Length: Approximately one to three hours
- Potential Benefits: Slimmer, flatter, and more sculpted body contours; reduction of unwanted, stubborn fat pockets
- Potential Risks: Swelling, infection, bruising; (less commonly) bleeding, fluid accumulation, and risks associated with anesthesia
- Cost: Variable based on the size and number of areas treated
Looking and feeling good often means having a fit, well-proportioned body. Unfortunately, however, a strict diet or disciplined exercise program cannot always conquer stubborn areas of excess fat, making this may seem like an unreachable goal for many people. Liposuction – a specialty at our Mountain View surgical center – may be the answer for those who seek a smoother or better-proportioned body contour.
Also called “lipoplasty” or “suction-assisted lipectomy” (SAL), liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to remove deposits of excess fat from specific areas of the body, face, or neck. Liposuction can be used to slim the hips and thighs, flatten the abdomen, shape the calves and ankles, or eliminate a double chin.
Explore These Topics
- Liposuction Benefits
- Liposuction Candidates
- Liposuction Consultation
- Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck
- Complementary Procedures to Liposuction
- Types Of Liposuction
- Liposuction Procedure
- Liposuction Recovery
- Liposuction Results
- Liposuction Risks
- Liposuction Scarring
- Non-Surgical Liposuction
- Liposuction Cost
- Choosing a Liposuction Surgeon
- Additional Liposuction FAQs
Who Is a Candidate for Liposuction?
Liposuction is most commonly recommended for men and women of normal weight who simply want to improve their body contour. The procedure can produce excellent results for people who have deposits of excess fat that make certain body areas appear disproportionately large. Although liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, it can eliminate fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise.
People of almost any age may undergo liposuction; however, patients with good skin elasticity typically achieve the smoothest contour after fat is removed. You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you desire fat removal or contouring in any of the following areas:
- Chin, jawline, and neck
- Lateral chest or bra rolls
- Breast or chest area
- Back
- Abdomen and waist
- Hips and buttocks
- Inner and outer thighs
- Inner knee
- Calves and ankles
Liposuction is not for everyone who desires to lose excess fat, but if you feel you are an ideal candidate for liposuction, contact our cosmetic plastic surgery center in Mountain View
What Does the Liposuction Consultation Entail?
A personal consultation with Dr. Alexander Ereso is the first step. Our Mountain View plastic surgeon will assess your physical and emotional health, review your medical history, and discuss your specific cosmetic goals for surgery. Dr. Ereso will make sure that your expectations regarding liposuction are in line with what the procedure can actually achieve. If you are expecting liposuction to replace a healthy diet or exercise, undergoing surgery may not be a good decision.
Dr. Ereso has been performing liposuction for many years. He will discuss the details of a liposuction procedure as well as variations in techniques for optimum fat removal. He will also cover the safety and success of the procedure.
What Types Of Liposuction Are Available?
Several variations to the basic liposuction technique have been introduced. The fat removal technique that best meets your needs will depend on a number of individual factors that our plastic surgeon will discuss with you.
Dr. Ereso always employs the most advanced, scar-minimizing techniques known to the medical community. For example, ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) is a two-step technique that uses the energy from sound waves to liquefy the fat before it is suctioned. Dr. Ereso believes that this liposuction method is particularly useful for dense adherent fat frequently seen in the flanks, upper abdomen, and male breast, but it is not necessary to perform UAL on every patient. Furthermore, it is useful in patients that are looking to graft the fat into another area like the buttocks, hands, breast, or face. Unlike other modalities, usage of the ultrasound does not destroy the fat cells allowing them to be used for structural fat grafting.
The type of instrumentation used during liposuction may also vary. For some areas, a handheld syringe may be used to provide the vacuum instead of a suction pump. Sometimes power-assisted liposuction (PAL) is performed; this technique utilizes a motor to move the cannula back and forth, allowing the procedure to be completed more efficiently.
How Is Liposuction Performed?
As long as you follow Dr. Ereso’s instructions regarding medications, vitamins, supplements, smoking, and alcohol consumption, you should be well-prepared for liposuction. Sticking to a nutritious diet, exercising, and getting lots of sleep should also serve you well as you plan to undergo surgery.
To perform liposuction, Dr. Ereso will create several small access points near the area to be suctioned and administer an injection of lidocaine and epinephrine; this can decrease post-operative pain and significantly reduce the amount of bleeding during the liposuction procedure. Next, Dr. Ereso places a slim, hollow tube called a cannula through the access point so that its tip penetrates the underlying fat. After the cannula is connected by flexible tubing to a suction pump, he will move the cannula back and forth through the fat, which is vacuumed into the tube. The tumescent liposuction technique, used at our Mountain View facility for several years, typically enables our plastic surgeon to remove a greater volume of fat more safely.
Patient Results
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After What Does Liposuction Recovery Involve?
When the procedure is complete, you will be taken to the recovery area on-site at our cosmetic plastic surgery facility in tranquil Mountain View. Any discomfort you may feel can generally be controlled with prescribed medication. A specially designed compression garment is typically applied over the treated areas to control swelling and assist healing. Dr. Ereso believes that wearing the garment allows more rapid shrinkage of your overlying skin after the liposuction procedure. He will ask you to wear it day and night for two to three weeks. From Weeks Four to Six after surgery, Dr. Ereso will either clear you to stop wearing the garment or recommend you wear it only part of the time.
Shortly after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and slowly increase your activity. Keep in mind that the speed of your recovery will depend largely on the extent of your surgery. Although everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect that your recovery will follow this general timeline:
Within The First Week
- The swelling will reach its peak and then begin to subside
- Your sutures will be removed
- You may return to non-strenuous work
After Several Weeks
- Bruises will fade and eventually disappear
- Areas that felt numb will regain normal sensation
- You may resume most of your normal exercise and activities
- Swelling will continue to subside
What Are the Potential Risks Of Liposuction?
Liposuction risks include the following:
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Fluid accumulation under the skin
- Poor wound healing
- Asymmetrical results
As an informed patient, you will need to decide whether the possible risks of liposuction outweigh the benefits. Under the care of Dr. Ereso, you can feel confident that the likelihood of lasting complications is very low. He will ensure you understand all of the potential risks and explain what he does to mitigate these risks.
“Nothing but top notch service from Dr. Ereso and his staff. He is very professional and kept me aware of everything as it was happening. I am very pleased with my services and would highly recommend Dr. Ereso for any of your surgical needs. Thanks again to Dr. Ereso and staff for making my experience very pleasant!”
Does Liposuction Cause Scarring?
As with any major cosmetic surgery, liposuction is liable to cause scarring; however, rest assured that Dr. Ereso always attempts to place incisions within the natural folds or contour lines of skin so that they are inconspicuous. If you follow your aftercare instructions closely and wear your compression garments as directed, you can potentially limit the chance of significant scarring. Please also note that any scars that do appear should fade to a flesh color in the months following the surgery.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
At Alexander Ereso Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, the cost of liposuction typically ranges from $4,000 to $12,000. With this in mind, the final price will depend on:
- The technology and approaches used
- The number and severity of the area(s) treated
- The addition of other treatments
- The surgeon’s fee
- Facility fees
- Anesthesia fees
- Pre- and post-operative care (e.g., compression garments and medications)
When evaluating a liposuction price quote, make sure you understand exactly what is and is not included in the total cost. Does the quote include the surgeon’s fee as well as the facility fee, cost of anesthesia and follow-up care? Do not be afraid to ask our office staff questions about your financial responsibilities, as we are here to help.
Moreover, qualified candidates can finance their liposuction through CareCredit®, an option which allows patients to undergo surgery now and pay for it in affordable monthly increments. For more details, feel free to contact our friendly staff.
Why Choose Dr. Ereso for Liposuction Surgery?
Liposuction requires technical expertise as well as an eye for balance and proportion. One of Dr. Ereso’s specialties as a liposuction surgeon is knowing exactly how much fat to remove and how much to leave in order to attain great results. Instead of simply removing large volumes of fat and “debulking” the target area, Dr. Ereso will also sculpt the remaining fat to create beautiful shapes and curves.
Additional Liposuction FAQs
Is liposuction safe?
Liposuction is generally safe when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon in a QUAD A-accredited surgical facility. Closely following your post-operative care instructions can also play a crucial role in minimizing potential risks.
Is liposuction painful?
If performed while under anesthesia, the procedure will be relatively painless. If your liposuction procedure is performed while awake, local anesthesia will be administered throughout the liposuction procedure to increase comfort. Post-operative soreness, swelling, and bruising are common, but these effects typically subside within a few weeks. Pain management techniques, such as prescribed medication and compression garments, are used to minimize pain during healing.
How much weight can you lose with liposuction?
While liposuction can produce a more sculpted and toned-looking looking physique, it is important to remember that it is not a weight loss procedure; rather, it is a body contouring surgery. The best candidates for liposuction are generally at a healthy weight, which can help make the procedure much safer and more effective.*
When can I exercise after liposuction?
Light activities, such as short walks, can often be resumed within a few days to support circulation and healing. That said, more strenuous exercises – like running, weightlifting, or high-impact workouts – should typically be avoided for several more weeks post-surgery.
How long does liposuction take?
In general, liposuction takes one to three hours to perform. Keep in mind, however, that the treatment area, any added procedures, and other factors can make the process a bit shorter or longer.
For more information about what liposuction can do for you, contact Alexander Ereso Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics today.
