Liposuction
Liposuction is a popular plastic surgery procedure that is used to reduce specific areas of fat, to enhance the shape and contours of the face and body. Liposuction is performed for men and women who are at a healthy, stable weight but have difficulty losing stubborn fat
Dr. Kolder and Dr. Improta recommend liposuction for healthy patients who are wanting to treat common concerns such as love handles, a round belly, double chin, and unwanted fat in other areas of the face or body.
Your Liposuction Consultation
When you come in for your liposuction consultation with Dr. Kolder or Dr. Improta, they will take a close look at your condition to help determine if liposuction is the best option for you. They will answer any questions you may have about the procedure. Dr. Kolder and Dr. Improta will cover details such as the surgical steps of liposuction, benefits of the procedure, alternative body contouring methods, and what to expect from liposuction recovery.
While liposuction can help to reduce stubborn fat, it should not be used as a weight-loss method, solution to obesity, or as an alternative to diet and exercise.
Liposuction is best for those who are close to their weight goal, but who are struggling with localized areas of problem fat. Ask to see before and after photos during your consultation to see other patients’ liposuction results..
The Liposuction Procedure
Your liposuction procedure will be performed under general anesthesia at our own Ambulatory Surgery Center. This method of surgical fat removal consists of very small incisions in the skin to allow for the insertion of a cannula (thin surgical tube) into the layer of stubborn fat.
The cannula is connected to a surgical vacuum which helps to remove the excess fat cells from beneath the skin. Dr. Kolder has years of experience providing patients with even, natural-looking fat loss.
Recovering from Liposuction
Once your liposuction is complete, you will need to take roughly 3 to 4 days off work as you recover from surgery. You should feel well enough to walk around, but you should avoid exercise or any other intense levels of activity for a couple of weeks. Most patients will be required to wear a compression garment to promote healing and reduce swelling
Results
Your treated areas may appear swollen and bruised initially following your liposuction, but this should fade over the next few days. Your incisions will be small and kept within the natural contours of your body, so any scarring should be barely noticeable. As your body continues to heal, you should notice your body begin to take its slimmer, tighter shape. Patients often enjoy long-lasting results by maintaining a healthy
Next Steps
For more information about liposuction, please contact our office to schedule your consultation with one of our Southern California board-certified plastic surgeons. All cosmetic consultations are complimentary at the Pacifica Center.
Liposuction FAQs
The cost of liposuction is dependent on a variety of different factors. These can include how much liposuction you require, the experience of your plastic surgeon, your geographical location and if you are having any additional procedures done.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates the average cost of liposuction to be $3,518. However, this price does not typically include additional fees such as anesthesia, hospital facility costs, prescriptions and post-surgical garments. To help make the cost of surgery more manageable, we do offer financing options.
When choosing a plastic surgeon for your liposuction, look for someone with experience doing the procedure regularly. Ask to see before and after photos from patients with similar body types to yours. Find a surgeon that you are comfortable with and is willing to answer any questions and thoroughly address any concerns you may have.
Liposuction is a very safe procedure, but, as with any surgical procedure, there is always a risk of complications. While they are rare, complications can include anesthesia risks, bruising, change in skin sensation, nerve damage, fluid accumulation and infection.
Ideal candidates for liposuction are in good general health and at or close to their goal weight. Liposuction treats the stubborn subcutaneous fat between the muscle and the skin. Dr. Kolder will also evaluate your skin and check for skin elasticity. If you have loose skin, liposuction could result in uneven or dimpled skin and you may want to consider additional procedures, such as a tummy tuck.
No, liposuction is not a form of weight loss and is only designed to remove deposits of fat that do not respond to regular diet and exercise. It is not meant to reduce weight and is typically not performed on patients that are severely overweight or obese. If you have reached or are close to your ideal weight, liposuction can help improve your body contours.
Liposuction removes adipocytes, or the cells that accumulate and store fat. When these are removed, they do not come back. However, this doesn’t mean that the areas of fat won’t return. While the cells are removed, others remain and can increase in size due to increased fat. In order to maintain your liposuction results, you should follow a healthy diet and regular exercise routine.
During the liposuction procedure, you are under anesthesia, so you should not experience any pain or discomfort. However, after your procedure, you may experience mild pain and discomfort for the first couple of days. This pain is typically controlled with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by your surgeon.
The instruments used for liposuction are small, so any scars you may experience are also going to be small in size. How many scars you have will depend on how many insertion points your liposuction procedure requires. How your incisions heal will depend on your skin elasticity and your body’s healing response. Dr. Kolder will discuss possible scarring and what can be done to minimize any potential scarring.
- Arranging for someone to bring you home from surgery and assist you during your first few days of recovery.
- Picking up any prescriptions before your procedure to avoid the hassle of getting them after liposuction.
- Stocking your home with groceries and supplies that will make mealtimes quick and easy while your recover.
