Liposuction
with Dr. Yates

What are the benefits of liposuction?

• Minimal downtime
• Minimal incisions
• One treatment, not multiple
• A better-contoured shape of the body

A popular myth is that liposuction is not really needed – you can get rid of unwanted fat deposits with the help of a healthy diet and exercise routine. However, this is just a myth. Liposuction is only recommended for patients with a normal weight that has been stable for at least 6 to 8 months. Liposuction is not an alternative to diet and exercise, but it is the only efficient method that can help you sculpt areas of the body with excess fat tissue.

With liposuction, we target stubborn fat deposits localized in different areas of the body. After undergoing liposuction, you might not get much slimmer, but the area treated during the procedure will certainly have a better contour and shape. Liposuction can be considered a highly effective tool we can use when exercises and a balanced diet have failed. Not a weight-loss method, but a tool to sculpt the body and refine its contours.

Am I a good candidate for liposuction?

One of the most important eligibility criteria for the liposuction procedure is a normal, stable weight. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method; even if when it is performed, Dr. Yates eliminates fat from problem areas. Liposuction only targets localized fat deposits, so it won’t trigger a general weight loss. This is the reason why it’s important you have a constant, normal weight before undergoing the procedure.

Another important thing is good skin quality. Liposuction is only recommended for patients with elastic skin. After the fat is extracted from the problem area, good skin tonus ensures the skin retracts beautifully on the new contours of the body.

Do I need lipo or a tummy tuck?

Dr. Yates will assess your eligibility for the intervention and advise you if a different procedure is indicated. Many patients wonder whether they can get rid of the abdominal “apron” with lipo or they need a tummy tuck. Liposuction only deals with the layer of fat under the skin. If you have weak abdominal muscles or loose skin, the chances are that liposuction might not be enough to get you the aspect of the tummy of your dreams.

How is liposuction performed?

Liposuction can be performed with the patient under a local or general anesthetic, depending on the complexity of the intervention and the area targeted. The plastic surgeon starts by making very small incisions in the area to be treated. A liposuction cannula is inserted through the incisions, and back and forth movements are performed to dislodge the fat. The fat is liquefied and suctioned through the cannula to a medical vacuum device. Once a satisfactory result is achieved, the incisions are sutured.

What should I do to prepare for liposuction?

• Optimize your nutrition
• Stabilize your weight
• Patients are advised to avoid very restrictive diets, as well as overeating before the liposuction procedure.

When is a good time to undergo liposuction?

Patients are advised to resort to liposuction when they have a normal weight that hasn’t fluctuated much in the last six to eight months. Also, it is important to consider that the results of the procedure can be impacted by ulterior weight gain or pregnancy. This is the reason why you should think about whether you want to get pregnant in the near future and if you have the weight under control.

As the recovery period after liposuction is not overly long, patients are advised to schedule the procedure when they could take a week or more off from work to allow the body to recover. Depending on the complexity of the procedure and the area where it is performed, liposuction recovery can take from a few days to a few weeks.

Don’t schedule your procedure a few weeks before a major social event, as the swelling and bruising that could occur might make choosing clothes a real challenge.

How many times can I get liposuction?

Liposuction is a procedure that delivers long-lasting, even permanent results. But, like is the case with the results of other plastic surgery interventions, they are impacted by the patient’s development. If you gain weight after liposuction, you might probably want to undergo the procedure again, even if not in the same areas that were targeted initially.

During one liposuction session, Dr. Yates can address one or multiple areas of the body. For example, you can have abdominal liposuction with arms liposuction in the same operative session. However, there is a limit to the fat that can be safely extracted during one liposuction session. This means that if you have a considerable fat deposit or you want to target multiple areas, you might need several liposuction sessions to achieve the results you desire.

Can I get lipo in more areas?

Liposuction can be performed on different areas of the body such as the chin, neck, upper and lower back, the tummy, the flanks, the thighs and buttocks, and even the knees and calves.

How much does liposuction cost?

Liposuction cost is dependent on the area targeted during the procedure. Depending on how many areas require treatment, costs may range from $2,500 - $7,500 plus anesthesia and facility costs (approximately $3,000). Each patient is different, and costs may vary based on complexity. Keep in mind that liposuction can be performed in combination with other procedures, and fees vary accordingly.

What is the recovery process for liposuction?

Liposuction is one of the plastic surgery procedures performed on the body with the shortest recovery period. Some patients can undergo the procedure in the morning and resume most of the daily activities in the evening or the next day. However, keep in mind that you should take at least a few days off work for the recovery period. If you are unsure about the complexity of the procedure, consult with Dr. Yates during the initial consultation.

Swelling and bruising are also possible for a few days post-op. If a large area of the body was treated with lipo, the patient might need to have a drain inserted to help with fluid and blood elimination from the surgical site. Compression garments are recommended for at least six weeks after liposuction. It can take up to three months for the swelling to subside and the skin to retract on the new contour. Massaging the area treated is recommended daily to reduce the swelling and speed up the recovery. Dr. Yates will let you know when it’s a good time to start the massages.

Can I gain weight after liposuction?

One of the most popular questions we get from patients interested in the procedure is about ulterior weight gain. Undergoing a liposuction procedure is not a free pass to eat junk food and sedentary life. It’s quite the opposite. Liposuction deals with the current layer of fat, but we can’t eliminate all fat cells in the area during the procedure. More than this, weight gain is not restricted to one area. Suppose a patient gets abdominal liposuction to get rid of tummy fat and gains weight after the procedure. In that case, the weight might accumulate in other areas of the body that were not treated with the procedure.

To sustain the beautiful results achieved with liposuction, it’s important for patients to sustain a stable weight after the intervention too.

Is liposuction safe?

Liposuction is one of the safest and most popular plastic surgery procedures performed in the US and worldwide. The intervention has been performed for decades with high success rates. However, to get the best results possible and minimize the risks, the patient should be an eligible candidate for the procedure; the intervention needs to be performed in an accredited medical facility and by a board-certified plastic surgeon.

It’s also important to know that there is a maximum amount of fat that can be safely extracted during one session of liposuction. Generally, it’s 6 to 8 pounds of fat. However, this can vary from one patient to the other.

What other procedures can be combined with liposuction?

Liposuction is one of the most versatile plastic surgery procedures. We can target smaller or larger areas of the body (the chin or the abdominal area, for example). Liposuction can be performed in association with many other plastic surgery procedures to better define the area and achieve spectacular results. These are the procedures most commonly performed with lipo:

• Tummy Tuck
• Arm Lift
• Breast Reduction

Liposuction FAQs

How Much Is Liposuction?

The liposuction cost depends on several variables, such as the area where the procedure is performed, additional procedures, type of anesthesia, and so on. When multiple areas need treatment, expect the fees to be higher compared to a simple tummy lipo or chin lipo, for example. Generally speaking, liposuctions can cost $2,500 to $7,000 without anesthesia and hospital fees.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is the procedure performed to help patients get rid of unwanted fat deposits localized in different areas of the body, from the chin and neck to the calves and ankles. Liposuction is commonly performed with other plastic surgery interventions such as tummy tuck, breast reduction, or breast augmentation to achieve superior results. Liposuction is also often a part of the Mommy Makeover package.

Is Liposuction Safe?

Just like all surgical interventions, liposuction is safe when performed by a talented and experienced plastic surgeon in an accredited medical facility. Keep in mind that there is a cap to the amount of fat that can be extracted in one liposuction session. Removing too much fat can cause complications that could otherwise be avoided.

What Is 360 Liposuction?

360 Liposuction is a popular procedure for patients who want to sculpt their midline. The procedure targets not only the abdominal area but also the flanks and the lower and medium parts of the back. This means that fat is eliminated from all around the midline, creating a wasp-like waist and superior results compared to a tummy lipo.

How Does Liposuction Work?

Liposuction is an efficient technique to get rid of localized fat deposits. What happens during a lipo procedure is that the plastic surgeon makes small incisions that allow the insertion of a small, hallow steel cannula. This cannula is connected to a medical vacuum device that has the role of sucking out fat once it is dislodged and turned into liquid. The plastic surgeon performs back and forth movements with the cannula to dislodge the fat that is immediately sucked out of the body. It’s important to choose the plastic surgeon wisely not to be left with bumps and other imperfections following liposuction.

Does Liposuction Hurt?

The procedure can be performed either with the patient under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on the areas to be treated and the complexity of each case. This means that the patient won’t feel any pain during the procedure. After the intervention, pain medication is prescribed to alleviate the discomfort, so there is a low risk of being in pain during the recovery period.

Is Liposuction Permanent?

The fat cells that were removed from the body during a liposuction procedure won’t return or grow back. From this point of view, we can say that the results of liposuction are permanent. However, it is important to mention that if weight gain occurs, fat cells in surrounding areas can grow in size. Also, even in the area treated with liposuction, there will be some fat cells left that can increase their volume in case of weight gain. Keep a constant weight after lipo to be able to sustain the results for longer.

Does Insurance Cover Liposuction?

Like is the case with other plastic surgery procedures performed for aesthetic purposes, liposuction is not usually covered by insurance. Insurance often covers just the costs of medically necessary procedures.

What to Expect 3 Weeks after Liposuction?

Three weeks after your liposuction procedure, most of the side effects have subsided, and you can start seeing the final results. The swelling and bruising are often gone, and the area treated looks much better than in the initial stages of the recovery. Most patients can resume all work and home responsibilities within the first two to three weeks post-op. Keep in mind that your plastic surgeon might still advise you to keep wearing the compression garments and to avoid intense physical activities.

Does Liposuction Leave Scars?

When liposuction is performed, the plastic surgeon only makes tiny incisions in the areas to be treated. Generally, these incisions are well-hidden in the natural folds of the body so that the scars left after liposuction are barely visible.

How Long to Recover From Liposuction?

The recovery after liposuction is dependent on the complexity of the procedure. If the area treated was large, or if during the procedure the plastic surgeon targeted multiple areas, the recovery process might be longer. Following the indications of the plastic surgeon, not smoking, avoiding strenuous physical activities, and wearing compression garments can considerably reduce the recovery period. Most patients can resume daily chores two to three days post-op, but the swelling and bruising might last for two to three weeks.

How Much Fat Can Be Removed with Liposuction?

The amount of fat to be removed during a liposuction session depends from one patient to the other. Generally speaking, six to eight pounds of fat can be safely extracted during liposuction. However, in some cases, we can eliminate as much as eleven pounds of fat in certain cases.

How to Smooth Out Stomach After Liposuction?

Waves and bumps can occur after liposuction in the areas treated with the procedure. To refine the results and have a smooth and fast recovery, it is recommended to wear compression garments. A binder can help smooth out the stomach after liposuction and also reduce swelling that naturally occurs after the procedure is performed.

Is Arm Liposuction Worth It?

If you have excessive fat deposits on the arms, arm liposuction could be a solution to correct this issue. However, keep in mind that liposuction only delivers good results when the patient has good skin tonus and no skin sagginess. If you have excess skin on the arms, the so-called bat-wings, then you probably need an arm lift surgery. The procedure is known as Brachioplasty and is performed on patients with saggy skin on the upper part of the arms. In some cases, the best surgical approach is to combine liposuction with arm lift surgery to help the patient achieve aesthetic goals.

What Not to Do after Liposuction?

There are certain things you should avoid after getting liposuction. Among the most important things to avoid is smoking. Smoking can have a negative impact on your healing process, and it can lead to complications such as tissue necrosis, delayed healing, infections, and others. Don’t eat salty foods after liposuction. This could prolong the swelling and make the recovery process longer. Don’t spend too much time in bed. Even if you just got home from the medical facility where the procedure was performed, it’s important to keep active and don’t spend all day and night in bed. Don’t think you have a free pass to drink and eat whatever you want now. Liposuction won’t prevent you from gaining weight in the future, so pay attention to your diet.

How to Get Rid of Fluid after Liposuction?

The compression garments or binder recommended by your plastic surgeon are essential to help you get rid of fluid retention after liposuction. Lymphatic massages performed by a professional can also reduce fluid retention. Keep yourself hydrated; even if this might seem counterintuitive, it actually helps avoid excessive fluid retention after liposuction.

Related Blog Posts

• Areas that can be addressed with liposuction
• How soon you can see results after liposuction
• Top 5 benefits of abdominal liposuction
• Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions about Liposuction
• Liposuction - is it worth it?