Are you frustrated by areas of stubborn body fat that just won't disappear—no matter how many hours you spend at the health club? Liposuction can help reshape your body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas such as the neck, abdomen, buttocks, hips and thighs, or just about any area of the body where excess fat has accumulated.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgry reports that 403,684 liposuction procedures were performed on women and men in 2006, making liposuction the most popular surgical cosmetic procedure in the U.S.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that streamlines your physique by suctioning away fat. This method, introduced in France more than 20 years ago, has since been improved with new surgical techniques that offer more precise results and quicker recovery times.

Which areas of the body can liposuction treat?

• Abdomen
  
  
• Outer and inner thighs
  
  
• Buttocks
  
  
• Breasts (in men and women)
  
  
• Neck and under the chin
  
  
• Upper chest near the armpit
  
  
• “Bra bulge” in the mid-back
  
  
• Upper and lower back
  
  
• Upper arms
  
  
• Back of thighs above the knees
  
  
• Knees
  
  
• Calves and ankles
  
  
• “Love handles”
  
  

Who are good candidates for liposuction?

• Non-smokers
  
  
• Individuals of any age who are within 30% of their ideal
  body weight
  
  
• Women and men with deposits of excess fat that make certain body areas appear disproportionately large
  
  
• People in good physical health with good skin elasticity and muscle tone
  
  
• Individuals who have a positive outlook and specific body contouring goals
  
  

Who are not good liposuction candidates?

• People who are more than 30% overweight. In this case, a tummy tuck may be a better choice.
  
  
• Individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight, whether naturally or following bariatric surgery. Procedures such as a panniculectomy and arm lift are more appropriate for these patients.
  
  
• People with a lot of loose skin, or poor skin elasticity. These patients could develop skin folds, constrictive bands, grooves or rippling after liposuction.
  
  
• Patients with scar tissue in the area to be treated. Scar tissue below the skin—for example, from previous surgery—may make it difficult or impossible to suction the fat in that area, leading to uneven contours after liposuction.
  
  
• Pregnant women
  
  
• Individuals with severe heart problems or
  blood-clotting disorders
  
  
• People with diabetes or immune system disorders
  
  

Choosing what's best for you

If you are considering liposuction, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Parungao. He will listen to your body-contouring goals, evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie and evaluate the condition of your skin.

Dr. Parungao will then explain the body-contouring methods he recommends for you—for example, it may be advisable to perform a tummy tuck in combination with, or instead of, liposuction. Be frank in discussing your expectations; the best results depend on good communication between you and Dr. Parungao.

He will also be open and honest with you, describing the recommended procedures in detail, explaining the risks and limitations, and answering your questions.

Liposuction CAN be

• Performed on several areas of the body at the same time
  
  
• Done in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a tummy tuck
  
  
• Used to treat gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, which can occur in teenagers and adult men
  
  

Liposuction CAN'T be

• Used as a substitute for diet and exercise
  
  
• Considered an effective treatment for cellulite, a condition that gives the skin a dimpled appearance
  
  

How is liposuction performed?

Liposuction is normally performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation and takes about 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the number of areas being treated.

After preparing the area, Dr. Parungao makes one or more tiny incisions near the area to be suctioned. Whenever possible, incisions are placed in the natural folds or contour lines of the skin so they are inconspicuous.

Dr. Parungao then inserts a hollow, blunt rod called a cannula through the incision so the tip penetrates the underlying fat. The cannula is attached to a flexible plastic tube connected to a high-powered vacuum machine. Dr. Parungao uses the cannula to suction away excess fat. Liposuction incisions are very small, usually measuring no more than one-eighth to one-half inch each.

What are the newer liposuction techniques?

• In the tumescent technique, the fat is pre-injected with a saltwater solution containing small amounts of adrenaline and sometimes a local anesthetic. This fluid helps the fat be removed more easily, controls bleeding in the area, provides anesthesia during and after surgery, and helps reduce bruising. Tumescent liposuction can be done under general or local anesthesia.
  
  
• Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty, or UAL, is a two-step technique that uses the energy from sound waves to liquefy the fat before it is suctioned
  
  

How much recovery time is needed?

After surgery, liposuction patients are typically up and around right away. You will need to wear a compression garment to minimize swelling. Discomfort lasts less than a week and most patients can look forward to going back to work in a few days. The recovery time depends in part on how many areas of the body have been treated with liposuction.

Within the first week:

• The swelling will reach its peak and begin to subside.
  
  
• Your stitches will be removed.
  
  
• You may return to non-strenuous work.
  
  

After several weeks:

• Bruises will fade and eventually disappear.
  
  
• Areas that felt numb will regain normal sensation.
  
  
• You may resume most of your normal exercise and activities.
  
  
• Swelling will continue to subside.
  
  

What results can you expect?

Quite soon after liposuction, you will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body. However, this improvement will become even more apparent after a couple of months, when fluid retention and swelling have subsided. For most patients, the final result is evident after about three months.

After your liposuction surgery, you may notice that clothes fit more comfortably and you feel more confident about your appearance. As long as you maintain your post-operative weight, your new, slimmer contours will be permanent.

Liposuction FAQ