Liposuction has remained a popular option for patients who want to improve their body contours and address pockets of fat that don’t respond as much as they’d like to diet and exercise. It can be a very effective way to refine specific areas and create a more balanced shape.
Today’s liposuction techniques also give plastic surgeons several options for tailoring treatment to a patient’s individual anatomy and goals. If you’re considering liposuction, here are some of the most common questions asked by patients.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat to reshape and contour the body. It can be performed on its own or combined with other procedures, such as a breast lift or breast reduction, to enhance the overall result by refining the shape of the breast and surrounding areas.
One reason liposuction continues to be popular is that it allows us to target fat very precisely. Recovery is generally relatively quick, and the small incisions used for the procedure typically leave only small scars. For the right patient, this can mean meaningful improvement without a major disruption to everyday life.
What Are the Different Types of Liposuction?
Liposuction techniques have evolved over the years to improve safety, comfort and results. Traditional liposuction uses a suction cannula to manually remove fat, while tumescent liposuction uses a fluid mixture to help minimize bruising and discomfort.
Other techniques include power-assisted liposuction, which uses a vibrating cannula to make fat removal easier, and ultrasound-assisted liposuction, which uses sound waves to liquefy fat and can be particularly useful in denser areas. Laser-assisted and radiofrequency-assisted techniques can also help melt fat while providing some degree of skin tightening.
There isn’t one technique that is right for everyone. The approach can be tailored to the patient’s anatomy, the area being treated and the desired outcome.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
The best candidates for liposuction are generally healthy patients with isolated pockets of excess fat. Common examples include a lower abdominal “pooch” or excess fat around the love handles.
It’s also important to understand that you don’t necessarily have to be at your ideal weight to benefit from liposuction. Some patients who are carrying extra weight may still be good candidates and can achieve meaningful improvement in their body contours.
For some of these patients, seeing an improvement in their shape can also be a great motivator to continue eating well and exercising to maintain their results.
Do You Have to Be Asleep for Liposuction?
Liposuction is most frequently performed under anesthesia, but it can also be performed with the patient awake. In many cases of awake liposuction, oral sedation is used along with tumescent liposuction to help keep the patient as comfortable as possible.
The appropriate approach depends on the individual patient and the extent of the procedure.
How Much Fat Can Be Safely Removed?
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommendation is that no more than 5 liters of fat be removed at one time. However, there are several other factors that need to be considered when determining how much fat can be safely removed.
A patient’s overall health, BMI, the areas being treated, whether other procedures are being performed at the same time, and whether the patient will be going home the same day can all play a role.
Safety should always be the priority when determining the appropriate amount of fat to remove.
Can the Fat Removed During Liposuction Be Used Somewhere Else?
Yes. Fat grafting, the process of transferring fat from one part of the body to another, has become increasingly popular.
Many patients choose fat grafting for facial, breast or buttock augmentation because it uses their own fat rather than an implant. Fat can also be used to restore volume that has diminished over time, such as with facial aging or changes in a woman’s breasts and body following pregnancy.
Fat grafting can also be used to create a curvier body contour by enhancing the shape of the hips and buttocks, a procedure commonly referred to as a Brazilian butt lift.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon for Liposuction
When considering liposuction, it’s important to pay attention to your surgeon’s training and experience. Ask whether your doctor is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and how much of their practice is devoted to liposuction and body contouring.
You should also look at before-and-after photographs of your surgeon’s work. These photographs can give you a better understanding of the types of results the surgeon has achieved and whether their approach aligns with your goals.
Final Thoughts
Every patient is different, so the procedure and technique should be tailored to your anatomy and goals. Liposuction is about more than simply removing fat. It’s about creating a beautifully balanced contour that complements your unique shape and sculpts confidence.