Liposuction

Everyone has stubborn pockets of fat, but it’s virtually impossible to target specific areas with diet and exercise. Liposuction is one of the few ways to see meaningful fat reduction in stubborn areas, producing a slimmer, more defined look.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction, also called lipoplasty or suction-assisted lipectomy, removes excess fat deposits from specific areas of your body. Liposuction can slim your hips and thighs, flatten your abdomen, reshape your waist, and even eliminate a double chin. It works by inserting special surgical tools through a tiny entry point in the skin, suctioning away fatty tissue. Once the fat is removed, it won’t return as long as you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Vaser Liposuction

Vaser liposuction is an advanced form of liposuction that uses specialized ultrasound energy in the form of a vibrating tool to disrupt the bonds between fat cells, ultimately allowing them to be more easily removed. Vaser liposuction can be more precise than traditional liposuction, making it a better option for thinner patients who want to treat smaller, more detailed areas. It can also be used for larger areas in patients interested in fat grafting.

Liposuction Benefits

There are many benefits to liposuction. Some of the top benefits include:

• Improved body contours: Liposuction can bring out natural body contours, revealing muscle tone and creating a more defined look.
• Minimal recovery: Liposuction involves minimal recovery versus more extensive body contouring procedures.
• Boosted confidence: If you’ve consistently struggled with stubborn fat in specific areas, liposuction can help boost your confidence and expand wardrobe options.
• Long-lasting results: As long as you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, you can enjoy long-lasting results from liposuction.

Who is a Candidate for Liposuction or Smartlipo at CARE Plastic Surgery?

The ideal liposuction candidate has localized areas of excess fat, otherwise normal body weight, and good skin elasticity. They are also free of any complications or preexisting medical conditions, including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, skin/connective tissue disorders, etc. Liposuction is not successful in treating generalized obesity. Patients who are generally overweight but exhibit unsightly bulges of fat may be candidates for the treatment of these areas alone. Localized fat deposits may sometimes be an inherited trait and often do not respond to diet or exercise. In these cases, liposuction is often the only way to eliminate fat.

Because liposuction does not reduce the amount of skin or address muscle tightening, optimal results are often obtained in those patients with good skin elasticity. Young patients typically have skin that readily contracts to the underlying frame. That said, pleasing and satisfactory results can also be obtained in older patients with somewhat less skin elasticity. Patients with more skin laxity and poor elasticity may benefit from removing the excess skin to achieve the intended results. This might include tummy tucks, arm lifts, breast lifts, and buttock lifts. To determine if your skin elasticity is appropriate for liposuction, schedule a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Brian Coan.

In the Raleigh, Durham, and Cary areas, liposuction is now nearly as common for men as for women. The areas most often treated are:

• Abdomen
• Hips and waist
• Chest – Male and Female
• Flanks and back
• Upper arms
• Inner, outer, and anterior thighs
• Under the chin – double chin
• Buttocks
• Face
• Knees

Liposuction Combination Procedures

Liposuction is easily combined with other procedures to enhance results. Some of the most popular combination procedures include:

Fat Transfer

Fat transfer allows you to move fat from one area to another. Liposuction can collect fatty tissue and allow Dr. Coan to inject it into areas like the face, breasts, or butt to further enhance your figure and restore youthfulness.

Tummy Tuck

The tummy tuck addresses the stomach, removing excess skin and restoring separated abdominal muscles. Liposuction can provide additional benefits by contouring and defining the surrounding areas, such as the hips or thighs.

Mommy Makeover

The mommy makeover combines multiple procedures to reverse the effects of pregnancy. Liposuction is a common accompaniment to options like the tummy tuck or breast augmentation to more fully address areas impacted by childbearing.

BodyTite

BodyTite is a minimally invasive skin tightening procedure. Although it can reduce fat, liposuction can more effectively address larger pockets. This can be an effective combination for patients who want to avoid more extensive body contouring surgery.

Is it Possible to Have Breast Augmentation at the Same Time as Liposuction?

Liposuction can frequently be done safely in combination with other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. We recommend that you first seek a consultation from a plastic surgeon who is trained, experienced, and knowledgeable in all fields of cosmetic surgery and understands the physiological implications on the body.

Should I Have a Plastic Surgeon Do My Liposuction?

Liposuction is by far one of the most common aesthetic procedures performed. Because it seems a simple concept to remove fat, it is an area open for marketing tactics that overplay its simplicity and long-term surgical results. Therefore, beware of doctors who promote liposuction but are not trained plastic surgeons. If too much fat is removed with liposuction, you can be left with irregular contours and sagging skin. When fat is removed from the main area without attention to surrounding areas, you may be left with unevenness.

How is Liposuction Performed by a Plastic Surgeon?

Through tiny incisions, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer deep beneath the skin. The cannula breaks up the fat cells and suctions them out, permanently removing them.

Liposuction Procedure

Liposuction is typically performed using local anesthesia, although you may require general anesthesia if you combine it with other options. Dr. Coan will create a small entry point in the skin, through which a special surgical tool will be inserted. Once the fat is carefully removed through gentle suction, the entry point is closed, and you can return home.

Liposuction Recovery

Liposuction recovery is typically minimal, with patients returning to work and light activities within one to two weeks. Most important is wearing a compression garment on the area to help the skin adhere to the new contours and reduce swelling and fluid buildup. Dr. Coan will provide detailed aftercare instructions on healing and follow-up.

Results of Liposuction

It takes time to see full results from liposuction since swelling can take a few months to fully subside. After the swelling goes down, however, you’ll see a noticeable improvement in definition and contours. Liposuction results are permanent as long as you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Meet Dr. Coan

Award-winning, nationally renowned, double board-certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of the distinguished Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

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Real Testimonials

I am so happy with my results! This entire experience could not have been better! Dr. Coan and his staff are amazing and so caring! They answered all of my questions and made the process very pleasant! I am so happy with the way my body looks. Thank you Dr. Coan & Staff!

- Verified Care Plastic Surgery Patient

Dear Dr. Coan, Heartfelt thanks for your TLC and excellent skills ~ especially your knowledge and appreciation of micro-surgical techniques! Your feedback gave me a lot of confidence and assurance regarding my healing process. I am slowly re-introducing activity, and feeling great. Mary Ann

- Verified Care Plastic Surgery Patient

I am always impressed with Dr. Coan’s skill. He is an exceptional physician and person whose approach is always honest, attentive and intelligent.

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New Patient Resources

Need to know more about our process? Check out a few of our blog posts below.

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