Liposuction

Liposuction procedures target subcutaneous fat reduction. Diet and exercise are the only means of reducing visceral fat.

Depending on your aesthetic goals, fat can be transferred to many different areas of the body, the most common being the buttocks, breasts, face, hands, and elsewhere.

While it depends on the nature of one’s job, most patients need no more than 1-2 weeks off of work after a procedure. Many of our patients can resume a desk job as soon as they are comfortable and are no longer taking narcotic pain medication. However, activity restrictions after surgery include no lifting, pushing, or pulling any object over 20 pounds for 6 weeks. For those with physically demanding jobs, we strongly encourage patients to be placed on “light duty” when returning to work. At 6 weeks, patients can resume any and all activities, including exercise.

The majority of our patients find liposuction to be a manageable procedure regarding pain. The recovery often entails soreness and achiness rather than severe pain. We find that patients have a much easier and more comfortable recovery if they stay on top of their hydration with adequate water intake within the first few days after surgery. We also encourage a high protein/low sodium diet to mitigate post-operative swelling and fluid retention as much as possible.

Liposuction targets subcutaneous fat but does not address or correct skin concerns such as laxity or cellulite. Liposuction is optimal for patients who are close to their goal weight with great skin quality.

Liposuction can be performed using a local anesthetic or general anesthetic depending on factors like your preferences and whether you combine your procedure with any others. Dr. Coan can help you select the best option during your consultation.

The ideal liposuction candidate is in their 20s to early 40s, a nonsmoker, and has good skin quality and elasticity. We recommend patients being within 10 pounds of their ideal weight. However, a thorough examination and assessment with our double-board certified plastic surgeon can help you determine if liposuction is the best option for you and your goals. Different body areas also can be expected to respond differently to liposuction. Some areas such as the upper back, flanks, and even abdomen tend to be the most forgiving and allow for the most dramatic improvements. Other areas require excellent elastic skin quality to achieve ideal outcomes.

The best candidates for liposuction have good skin quality and are typically in their 20s-30s. This is because these patients tend to have better skin elasticity, meaning their skin is better able to “snapback” after fat removal via liposuction. However, this certainly does not rule out those outside this age range, and determining candidacy for liposuction is very patient-dependent. Additionally, someone who is considered overweight (a BMI between 25-30) may certainly be a candidate for liposuction, depending on their health history, goal weight, and skin quality.

With any surgery, there are always risks and benefits to consider. Our double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Coan, does everything possible to minimize risks before, during, and after surgery. Specifically, he abides by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons guidelines to ensure optimal safety standards. Common and uncommon complications during liposuction include swelling, bruising, bleeding, seroma, sensation changes and dysesthesia, asymmetry, and contour irregularities.

There are a variety of known liposuction methods. Dr. Coan utilizes Power Assisted Liposuction for effective and precise fat extraction. This method is safe, effective, and yields optimal aesthetic results. With any cosmetic procedure, it is imperative to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Yes! Liposuction is an outpatient procedure. CARE Plastic Surgery utilizes two state-of-the-art, fully accredited operating rooms for a private surgical experience. Patients are then discharged to go home the same day. We typically see patients in-office the next day for their first post-operative appointment.

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine post-operatively can help you maintain your tideal weight. We recommend patients avoid exercise for 6 weeks following surgery. After that, tthere are no limitations! It is important to find what works best for you and your lifestyle.

It is very rare to use postoperative drains after liposuction alone. In the rare event drains are required, the duration can vary from patient to patient. In most cases, liposuction can be safely performed without the use of drains.

Yes, liposuction can be considered permanent given there are no major lifestyle changes, and patients maintain their weight after surgery. It is important to note liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, nor does it prevent weight gain post-operatively. A consistent diet and exercise routine is critical to maintaining the best aesthetic results after surgery. While no cosmetic procedure is truly “permanent” since we all continue aging, your results after liposuction can be long-lasting if there are no major lifestyle changes.

Liposuction costs may vary depending on the number of areas addressed. While liposuction is not covered under insurance, CARE offers a multitude of financing options for patients to utilize, such as CareCredit, Alphaeon, and PatientFi.