Liposuction and body contouring are surgical techniques designed to improve the appearance of any area of the body by a combination of fat aspiration, cutting of skin and tightening of overlying muscles and skin. Cosmetic surgeons remove the fat deposits using a stainless steel machine called a cannula.
Lipo comes from the Greek work “lipos” which means fat. The first liposuction procedure was performed in 1974 and has grown leaps and bounds since then.
Due to the many advances in liposuction throughout the years, it is considered one of the safest procedures available. Other terms associated with liposuction are lipoplasty and suction lipectomy.
Understanding the Role of Skin Elasticity in Liposuction
Many patients assume that liposuction alone will create a perfectly sculpted physique, but skin elasticity plays a significant role in achieving optimal results.
If the skin lacks elasticity due to aging, rapid weight loss, or genetics, it may not contract properly after fat removal, leading to loose or sagging skin. In such cases, additional skin-tightening procedures like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or radiofrequency-based treatments may be necessary to enhance results.
Younger patients or those with good skin elasticity tend to experience smoother contours post-liposuction, while older patients may need to explore combination treatments to achieve their desired outcome.
During your consultation, your plastic surgeon can assess your skin quality and recommend the best approach for your body contouring needs.
Liposuction Costs
Costs for procedures vary depending upon the area in which you’re having the liposuction performed. The average cost to have liposuction performed in one area of the body is $2,000 to $4,000 USD, in three areas is $6,000 to $8,500 USD and in five areas is $9,000 to $11,000 USD.
The cost is higher for larger body areas. For example, the average cost for the abdomen is $3,000 to $8,000 USD, but for the outer thighs and arms is about $2,000 USD.
Liposuction: Types & Procedures
There are two types of liposuction. Conventional liposuction entails aspiration of fat under skin using small-diameter hollow needles which are inserted through small incisions or holes. These needles or cannulas are attached to a source of high vacuum pressure, which causes the fat to attach to the openings in the cannula.
The fat which is attached to cannulas is then removed from its bed by the plastic surgeon by various to and fro motions of the needle. The fat particles are then aspirated with a collection device. When healing occurs the overlying skin adjusts to the reduced mass of fat at the liposuction site and the undesirable body contours are diminished.
Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (UAL) is the second method that has been used to facilitate liposuction. The ultrasound energy is transmitted to a transducer, which transforms the sound waves into mechanical vibrations that are transmitted to a probe or cannula that has been inserted into the fat.
Vibrating the probe or cannula induces tissue cavitation and melting of fat. Initially UAL utilized a solid probe to melt the fat, following which the melted fat was drained from surgical incisions or was vacuumed out using conventional liposuction. Nowadays, a hollow probe is used, permitting simultaneous melting and draining of fat.
Advantages of Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction are:
- More complete fat evacuation producing greater volume reduction.
- Selective melting of fat, relatively sparing other collagen tissues to produce more effective skin retraction,
- Less mechanical effort on the part of the surgeon, with improved operating efficiency.
- Increased efficiency in scarred areas.
Disadvantages of the ultrasound technique are:
- The probes used in UAL are larger than conventional cannulas, thus resulting in larger incisions and more visible scars.
- The effects of ultrasound-generated energy are not totally confined to fat. Other tissues, including the collagen matrix which provides to skin, may be injured.
- The rapidly vibrating probe heats surrounding tissues along the entire length of the probe and can cause thermal burns. The incision must be protected from burns with a heat-resistant sleeve at the insertion point, requiring a still larger incision to accept both the sleeve and the probe.
- Conventional liposuction must be carried out after UAL in order to evacuate as much of the melted fat as possible.
- UAL is slower than conventional liposuction, which results in additional operation and anesthesia time.
Comparing Liposuction to Non-Surgical Fat Reduction Treatments
While liposuction remains one of the most effective surgical fat removal methods, non-invasive alternatives such as CoolSculpting, SculpSure, and laser fat reduction treatments have gained popularity.
These procedures use technologies like cryolipolysis (fat freezing) and laser energy to break down fat cells gradually over time. Although non-surgical options require no downtime, their results are typically less dramatic and may take several months to fully appear.
In contrast, liposuction offers immediate and more noticeable fat reduction, making it the preferred choice for patients seeking faster and more significant contouring results.
Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon can help determine whether traditional liposuction or a non-invasive procedure is best suited to your goals and body type.
Are You a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
If you struggle with stubborn fat deposits in areas such as the abdomen, arms, thighs, or neck, despite maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise, liposuction may be a viable solution for achieving a more sculpted appearance. This procedure is particularly effective for individuals who have localized fat pockets that do not respond to traditional weight-loss methods.
These persistent fat deposits can be influenced by genetics, body chemistry, and other factors beyond your control. Liposuction is most successful for patients with well-defined problem areas, as it selectively removes fat to enhance body contours. However, it’s important to understand that while liposuction can significantly reduce fat in targeted areas, it does not tighten loose skin, and some residual skin laxity may remain after the procedure.
Liposuction is not treatment of choice for weight loss. People who are very overweight or who have large areas of fat deposits are usually not good candidates. It is advisable to lose weight first and reduce the fatty area through diet or exercise before considering liposuction.
Preparing for Liposuction
Your cosmetic surgeon will also advise you of special precautions to take. For example, women taking birth control pills may be asked to stop taking them and find alternative methods until after liposuction surgery. You may also be advised to stop taking ibuprofen because it thins the blood.
Because you will be under anesthesia, you will be advised not to eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your liposuction surgery. You’ll want to make special arrangements before surgery.
These arrangements could include child care or extended leave from your job. Don’t take your recovery lightly. In addition, if large amounts of fat are to be removed, you may want to arrange for an extended stay in the hospital.
On the day of your liposuction surgery, precise and accurate preoperative markings are done prior to surgery. With the patient standing, areas to be treated are outlined with marking pen. Areas to be avoided or areas for fat grafting are also marked.
Risks & Complications
Serious complications are uncommon. In fact, liposuction scores favorably in complication rates as compared to other cosmetic procedures. The common complications of surgeries, like bleeding and infection, occur infrequently in liposuction. A significant number of patients undergo secondary procedures.
Secondary liposuction surgery may be required to correct contour deformities, but the most frequent reason for additional surgery is patient’s dissatisfaction with results. Some patients may develop postoperative surface depressions which may require correction.
Lipo – Post Op
When calves and ankles are treated, support stockings for legs are worn for six weeks. Other areas do not routinely require use of specialized support garments. All patients are instructed to rest at home for 4–5 days. They are seen at the office after this time and given permission to return to work. Vigorous exercise may be resumed at three weeks.
Recovering from liposuction can take some time. Because some patients heal faster than others, an exact recovery time is difficult to provide. However, there are a few guidelines by which most plastic surgeons abide.
With any type of surgery, there is a certain level of risk involved. Cosmetic surgery isn’t any different. In fact, you should be well aware of possible risks and complications before making your final decision.
Long-Term Results and Maintaining Your Liposuction Outcome
One of the most important aspects to consider before undergoing liposuction is understanding that the results are not necessarily permanent if proper lifestyle habits are not maintained.
While liposuction effectively removes stubborn fat deposits, it does not prevent new fat accumulation. To sustain your newly contoured body, it is crucial to follow a healthy diet, stay physically active, and maintain a stable weight.
Many patients choose to work with a nutritionist or personal trainer post-surgery to ensure they get the most out of their investment.
Additionally, areas that have been treated with liposuction generally do not regain fat as quickly, but weight gain can lead to fat deposits accumulating in untreated areas. By adopting a balanced approach to fitness and nutrition, patients can enjoy long-lasting, natural-looking results.