Do you eat a healthy diet and spend hours in the gym but still have some areas of stubborn fat that simply won’t budge?  Liposuction can remove those fat bulges and sculpt the smoother, sleeker body contours you desire.  But what does liposuction involve, and what can you expect after the procedure? 

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical fat removal procedure that targets areas of stubborn fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise.  

Liposuction is a versatile body contouring treatment that can be performed on almost any part of the body.  The abdomen, butt, flanks, hips, and thighs are among the most popular target spots for women, while the abdomen and flanks are common problem areas for men.  

How Liposuction Works

Traditional liposuction uses a cannula with suction to break up and remove pockets of excess fat from the body.  However, there are now more advanced liposuction techniques available including, External Ultrasonic-Assisted Liposculpture (EUAL). 

EUAL is a modified technique that combines traditional liposuction with ultrasound energy.  During EUAL, ultrasonic energy is applied to the treatment zones to liquefy the fat deposits. The heat from the ultrasound energy also helps to tighten and contour the skin.   

Once the fat is liquefied, the surgeon will then use gentle suction to remove the fat.  This type of procedure causes less tissue trauma because the unwanted fat can be easily dislodged after it is liquefied.

Liposuction is typically done on an outpatient basis.  However, the length of the procedure varies depending on the surgical technique and the amount of fat being removed. 

What To Expect After A Liposuction Procedure?

• Recovery

After liposuction, patients can expect to experience some bruising and swelling as well as mild pain.  A compression garment is worn to help minimize swelling, but residual swelling may persist for up to six weeks.  Medication is prescribed to ease the pain.  

The recovery timeline for liposuction varies depending on the specific technique used to perform surgery.  Traditional liposuction may need up to 2 weeks of recovery, but less recovery time is required with advanced procedures like EUAL.  

There is minimal swelling and bruising after EUAL because surgery causes less trauma in the tissues.  As a result, patients sometimes only need 2-3 days of recovery.

• When Will You See Results?

How soon you see results after liposuction depends on the degree of post-operative swelling.  There is typically significant swelling after traditional liposuction, so the final results won’t be visible until the swelling has subsided.  This can take 1-3 months. 

• How Long Do The Results Last?

The new body shape achieved with liposuction can last a long time because the fat cells removed during treatment do not grow back.  However, if patients gain weight after liposuction, the remaining fat cells will get bigger.  This includes cells in the areas treated with liposuction.

After liposuction, patients are advised to make healthy diet choices and get regular exercise, to maintain their new look.  

Who Is A Good Candidate For Liposuction?

Liposuction is a good option for individuals who already maintain a healthy diet and follow a regular exercise regimen, but have a few areas of stubborn fat they are struggling to reduce. 

Candidates for liposuction should also have realistic expectations about surgery.  Liposuction is not a weight-loss solution, so candidates should already be at their goal weight and only need to reduce specific target areas. 

If you think liposuction may be a good fit for you, schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss the options available.  The surgeon will review the possibilities and determine which procedure would be right for you.