As you recover from your procedure, you will experience swelling and some discomfort, which can be efficiently managed with medication. We’ll help you control pain with an individualized plan. You will also wear a compression garment at this time to maintain the new contours of your body and help re-shape tissue to the improved body shape. As each day passes, you will feel more comfortable in your recovery.

The initial days after treatment require the most rest. If your surgery was extensive, you would likely need to have a loved one available to help run errands and provide you with necessary medication. You will need to limit your activity during the initial recovery period, but Dr. Landis will ask you to gradually increase your activity levels within 24 hours of surgery. Depending on the treatment area, Dr. Landis may advise you to be careful about stretching or leaning to avoid injuring the treatment site and affecting wound healing. Many patients can resume more normal routines within up to six weeks, depending on the extent of liposuction surgery and the areas treated.

To begin your treatment, Dr. Landis will make one or more small incisions at targeted sites. Through these incisions, he will insert a thin tube called a cannula. In some cases, a tumescent liposuction solution may also be injected to treat the fat, making it easier to remove fat while acting as a numbing or pain-relieving agent. The cannula is used to efficiently suction out fat cells as Dr. Landis moves it gently back and forth across the treatment area to break up cells. This suction device approach is often described as suction assisted liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) or suction assisted liposuction technique.

While liposuction may seem straightforward, it is an art that must be completed precisely to create smooth body contours. Dr. Landis is highly experienced in aesthetic fat removal and ensures that treatment sites look flawless after healing has been achieved. Depending on your goals, liposuction techniques may include traditional liposuction, power assisted liposuction (power assisted liposuction PAL), ultrasound assisted liposuction (ultrasound assisted liposuction UAL using ultrasound energy/ultrasound waves), or laser assisted liposuction — your surgeon will recommend the safest approach for your treatment area and body contouring goals.

Some patients are reluctant to complete some surgical procedures and look for other ways to eliminate fat deposits. As a result, this has led to an increased prevalence of hand-held fat freezing equipment or similar machines that claim to reduce fat with the topical application of heat or cooling.  While this is undoubtedly appealing to many, the results can leave patients unsure whether the treatment has worked effectively to contour problem areas. What’s more, these treatment methods require multiple visits and sessions, and outcomes aren’t always predictable.

While liposuction is indeed surgical, it is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that produces almost immediately noticeable results. In addition, fat is permanently removed, and your appearance will only improve as the swelling recedes. For patients seeking surgical body contouring, liposuction is one of the most established body contouring procedures.

The best candidates for liposuction are individuals at or near their healthy body weight (normal weight), with firm, elastic skin, and a commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, someone who has localized fat deposits that are resistant to exercise and diet might also be an ideal candidate. Liposuction does not treat obesity or coronary artery disease, and it is not intended as a weight loss procedure, however, it can complement weight loss efforts after significant weight loss or major weight loss by addressing stubborn excess fat.

The fat cells removed during liposuction do not regrow. However, those remaining can enlarge with weight gain. So, to maintain your new shape, it is important to follow a healthy, balanced diet and exercise regularly. If you gain weight, remaining subcutaneous fat and subcutaneous adipose tissue can expand, even though fat removal in the treated area reduces the total fat cells there.

The fat cells removed during liposuction do not regrow. However, those remaining can enlarge with weight gain. So, to maintain your new shape, it is important to follow a healthy, balanced diet and exercise regularly. If you gain weight, remaining subcutaneous fat and subcutaneous adipose tissue can expand, even though fat removal in the treated area reduces the total fat cells there.

Liposuction can be performed under various types of anesthesia, depending on the area’s size and number of locations being treated. We customize options for our patients, ranging from local anesthesia with or without sedation to general anesthesia, enhancing comfort and aligning with each individual’s personal and health care considerations.

The small incisions used for liposuction can lead to some very minimal scarring. However, we aim to minimize scar visibility by making incisions in body areas that are less noticeable or those typically covered by clothing. Scars will also naturally fade and improve in appearance over time.

It’s often recommended to be at or near your desired weight before undergoing liposuction for the best and most lasting enhancements. Significant weight loss after the procedure may alter your results. After major weight loss, some patients also have extra skin/excess skin that may require surgery (such as a tummy tuck) as part of body contouring surgery or surgical body contouring.

As with all surgical procedures, liposuction surgery has risks. Your surgical team will review your medical history and discuss rare but serious risks such as blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, fat embolism, and bleeding related to blood vessels. Choosing an experienced board certified plastic surgeon and following aftercare instructions helps reduce risk.