Your Top Liposuction FAQs Answered

Woman with towel around her waist and hand on stomach. (MODEL)

Love your body from head to toe when you sculpt away stubborn fat and reveal slimmer contours with liposuction. Today’s most advanced liposuction techniques, including high-definition liposculpture and VASERlipo®, offer effective fat reduction nearly anywhere on the body, from the neck to the thighs.

If you’re like most people considering liposuction, you have many questions about the procedure. Read on for answers to some of the most common liposuction questions we hear at the MODERN Plastic Surgery & Medspa.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a body contouring surgery that reduces pockets of fat, creating a more streamlined, proportionate appearance. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon suctions out excess fat that has resisted your best diet and exercise efforts.  

Is Liposuction Permanent?

The removed fat cells are gone for good. However, it is possible for the remaining fat cells to grow larger if you gain weight. Maintaining a healthy and stable weight is a major contributing factor to long-lasting results. Here are some healthy lifestyle changes you can adopt after your procedure:

  • Do not skip meals.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Eat a healthy diet and reduce your caloric intake.
  • Drink plenty of water and stay properly hydrated.

What Are the Different Types of Liposuction?

At the MODERN Plastic Surgery & Medspa, Dr. Walters offers multiple innovative liposuction techniques to deliver the best results for each patient.

Traditional Liposuction

This technique uses a cannula that vibrates rapidly to break up the fat and then suction the fat from the body.

VASERlipo®

VASERlipo is a minimally invasive liposuction treatment that uses ultrasound energy to liquefy fat for easier removal and less damage to the surrounding tissue. This treatment typically provides great results for patients and may even provide slight skin tightening.

Hi-Def Lipo

Dr. Walters uses VASERlipo for high-definition liposculpture. This procedure is most commonly used to help you achieve a more sculpted, defined appearance on the abdomen but also treats areas such as the arms, flanks, thighs, waist, buttock, and back. Using the VASERlipo system, Dr. Walters gently and precisely eliminates the fat to make the underlying musculature more noticeable. Dr. Walters is one of only a few surgeons in the world to become a Total Definer Master in hi-def lipo.

You can learn more about which areas benefit most from liposuction in our related blog post.

How Much Fat Can Be Removed With Liposuction?

It is important to remember that liposuction is not a weight loss treatment; instead, it’s a fat reduction procedure. The amount of fat that can be removed in an area during a single procedure depends on your surgeon’s evaluation of your overall health and aesthetic goals. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ guidelines limits fat removal to 5 liters, which means most patients lose less than 10 pounds following the procedure.

Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery, but it can dramatically change your appearance. Most people drop 1 to 3 pant sizes after the procedure. Take a look at some of our patients’ before and after pictures to see the results liposuction can achieve.

Does Liposuction Leave Scars?

The small cannula used during liposuction typically results in tiny or unnoticeable scars. Dr. Walters disguises the scarring by placing the insertion points along natural body contours or easily covered areas. Multiple therapy options can help minimize scarring, including scar gel, scar sheeting, and laser treatments.

Does Liposuction Hurt?

If you are getting your procedure done in an accredited surgical facility by a board-certified plastic surgeon, liposuction should be relatively pain-free. Your surgeon will likely use an anesthetic (general or local) while performing the treatment. Under general anesthesia, you are not awake during the procedure and will not feel anything. With local anesthesia, you are lightly sedated and will likely only feel some slight pressure.

Following liposuction, you may experience some swelling, pain, and discomfort for the first few days. This typically subsides quickly and can be easily managed.

Is Liposuction Safe?

As with any surgical procedure, liposuction procedures carry risks such as bleeding and a reaction to the anesthetic. During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss any risks relative to the type of liposuction treatment you choose. If you follow the post-operative instructions given to you by your surgeon, serious complications are uncommon.

For more information on liposuction at our practice and how we can help you achieve your aesthetic goals, request a consultation or call us at (504) 517-6200 to schedule an appointment.

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