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Liposuction

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a popular body contouring procedure designed to get rid of stubborn deposits of fat that tend to collect in the abdominal region and numerous other areas of the body. Sometimes this type of fat is so persistent that regular diet and exercise cannot provide significant results. At the Personal Enhancement Center, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Christopher P. Godek, and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christina Pasick can help you assess whether traditional liposuction or another form of fat removal would be a good option for helping relieve you of this troublesome problem.

To learn more about liposuction, feel free to browse through the detailed information provided on this page. If you have further questions, or if you would like to find out if liposuction can help you achieve the body contour you desire, please contact our practice online or by phone today to schedule a consultation.

Liposuction Before and After Photos

What Are the Benefits of Liposuction?

In addition to eliminating fat accumulations that remain resistant diet and exercise, primary benefits of liposuction may include:

For optimal benefits, maintaining a healthy lifestyle that consists of eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet and exercising on a regular basis is highly recommended. Doing so can help prolong the results of treatment and keep excess fat from returning to the treated area(s).

What Areas of the Body Can Liposuction Treat?

Liposuction is effective at reducing fat in a wide variety of locations—virtually anywhere persistent fat deposits are found. Some of the most common treatment areas include:

Whatever your particular needs might be, our doctors will work diligently to meet your goals and help you achieve a more contoured appearance.

Can Liposuction Help Me Lose Weight?

Despite the fact that it removes fat from the body, liposuction should never be considered a weight loss procedure. Treatment is designed to help individuals who are at—or close to—their desired weight eliminate localized fat accumulations that do not respond to diet and exercise. Some patients may see a slight drop in weight following their procedure, but liposuction will not provide a significant weight reduction.

How Is the Liposuction Procedure Performed?

During the liposuction procedure, our plastic surgeon will make tiny incisions in and/or near the treatment area. A cannula—which is a thin, hollow surgical tube—will then be used to break up the fat cells and remove them from the body until the desired contour is achieved in the targeted region. Performed as an outpatient treatment, liposuction usually takes about one hour to complete, but this may vary depending on the quantity of fat removed and number of areas being addressed.

For each and every patient, our doctors aim to seamlessly blend the treatment region with the contours of surrounding areas for an incredibly natural-looking result, and they are careful to ensure that the appearance of any potential scarring is as minimal and barely noticeable as possible.

How Many Areas Can Be Treated in a Single Liposuction Session?

People rarely accumulate fat in just one area of the body. As a result, many patients opt to have more than one region addressed during their procedure. The exact number of areas that can be treated in a single liposuction session will depend on the size of the desired treatment regions and how much fat will need to be extracted to achieve an optimal outcome. A unique plan will be determined at the time of the consultation.

What Is Liposuction Recovery Like?

Following liposuction, there may be some minor bruising, swelling, and/or tenderness in the treated area, but these symptoms should subside with time. While pain is uncommon, any potential discomfort can generally be controlled easily with medication. Most individuals feel well enough to resume office jobs, school, or other daily routines after approximately one week, though strenuous activities like heavy lifting and vigorous exercise will need to be avoided for a minimum of a few weeks. Once fully healed, it is important to eat nutritiously, exercise regularly, and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle to help prolong the results of treatment.

Are There Any Side Effects of Liposuction?

As with most surgical procedures, there are potential side effects associated with liposuction. Some of the most common side effects generally include temporary:

Depending on where liposuction is performed, some patients may also experience slight rippling of the skin after treatment. Fortunately, this symptom usually resolves as the skin tissue naturally tightens and retracts over time.

Dr. Godek and Dr. Pasick take great care to limit possible side effects when performing liposuction. During the consultation process, they can comprehensively cover what to expect based on your personalized treatment plan, helping to ensure the recovery process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

How Noticeable Is Liposuction Scarring?

Although scarring is an inevitable aspect of any surgery involving incisions, one of the chief benefits of liposuction is that the resulting scar(s) is usually very inconspicuous. The incision needed to remove fat from targeted areas is typically only a few millimeters in length, often leading to a relatively short scar once healed. Additionally, Dr. Godek and Dr. Pasick are generally able to make incisions in discreet locations on the body, further reducing the final visibility of scarring.

Following treatment, our plastic surgeon will provide specific directions for how to properly care for incisions as they heal in order to promote an optimal final scar appearance. This may include regular application of topical skin care products, as well as avoidance of sun overexposure and activities that may place tension on the incision site(s). Exact instructions will depend on each patient’s skin type/quality and unique treatment plan.

Are Liposuction Results Permanent?

So long as patients maintain a relatively stable weight following treatment, liposuction results can last a very long time. The fat tissue removed during the liposuction procedure is permanently eliminated; however, fat cells left behind in the region have the ability to grow in size to store extra fat in the event weight is gained post-operatively. To help prevent this, it is important to lead an overall healthy lifestyle after liposuction.

How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

Liposuction prices vary from patient to patient due to the high level of treatment customization. Key factors that can influence overall cost include the number of areas being addressed, the total quantity of fat removed, the specific liposuction technique utilized, the skill/experience of the plastic surgeon, and the area of the country in which the practice is located.

To determine exact liposuction pricing, Dr. Godek or Dr. Pasick will need to perform a physical examination and discuss the unique needs and goals of the patient during an in-person consultation. Following this assessment, they can provide a quote that breaks down the various fees of treatment based on an individualized plan.

At the Personal Enhancement Center, we never want cost to get in the way of someone looking and feeling their best. To help those who need and/or desire financial assistance, we accept several payment plans offered through ALPHAEON™ CREDIT and CareCredit®—two of the most trusted healthcare lending institutions in the United States. With numerous minimal- to no-interest options to choose from, patients can find a plastic surgery financing plan that fits comfortably within their budget, making liposuction an affordable reality.

Are There Alternatives to Liposuction?

In addition to traditional liposuction, the Personal Enhancement Center offers another form of surgical fat removal. The HydraSolve™ Lipoplasty System was co-designed and created by Dr. Godek himself. For patients interested in non-surgical fat reduction, we also offer non-invasive CoolSculpting®.

Contact the Personal Enhancement Center

To learn more about liposuction, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced plastic surgeons, please feel free to contact us today. We will discuss the available options and work with you to come up with a plan to achieve your goals.