Liposuction removes fat from areas that do not respond to diet and exercise. These areas include the abdomen, hips, thighs, neck, arms,back, thighs, knees, calves and ankles. Liposuction must be performed skillfully, technically precise, and must shape the body with gentle curves and blend into surrounding areas seamlessly. I have personally performed thousands of liposuction cases. I treat every patient as an individual with different problem areas and different goals. I will take the time to listen to your specific concerns and develop a customized plan for you.
Many of my patients use liposuction as a kick start towards a healthier lifestyle.
Liposuction is most successful in people with good skin tone who have fatty deposits. I want to emphasize that liposuction is not a treatment for obesity. If weight gain occurs following liposuction, each fat cell left behind will get bigger and you will get bigger everywhere. The good thing is that if you continue to diet and exercise after surgery – each fat cell will get smaller so you will get an even better result in the areas you’ve had liposuction. Almost all of my patients lost weight after their surgery because they felt better about themselves and more motivated to stay healthy. To maintain the safety of the procedure, there is a limit on how much can be done at one time. For proper blending and for natural contours, often liposuction 360 is performed. Liposuction 360 involves liposuction of the abdomen, hips, flanks and back so they naturally blend into each other and the surrounding areas. Liposuction is often combined with fat grafting.

Body contours or fullness created by fat deposits can be improved by this procedure; it cannot correct contours that are irregular for other reasons, such as muscle weakness, hanging skin or hernias. Sometimes in patients with poor elasticity, liposuction actually makes their skin hang more. I spend a lot of time with my patients talking about what can and cannot be fixed with liposuction. It is VERY important for patients to have realistic expectations after liposuction. As I’ve mentioned before, plastic surgery is not an exact science. Every person has a unique anatomy and their own idea of what their body goals should be. This is why consultations are vital so we can work together to create the best possible plan, customized for your personal needs and goals.
At the consultation, I will take a complete medical history and conduct a careful examination and develop a customized plan based on your anatomy as well as your aesthetic goals. I consider age, overall health, emotional well being, as well as expectations for surgery when evaluating a candidate for this procedure. Patients who are obese (BMI 30 or greater) or who smoke have a significantly higher risk of wound healing problems. I require patients to have stopped smoking for at least 2 months before having surgery. To minimize the possibility of excess bleeding, you will need to avoid taking drugs containing aspirin, anti-inflammatories, alcohol, or herbal medications two weeks before surgery. You will receive a complete list of medications to avoid and detailed instructions before surgery. I consider the preparation before surgery and your understanding of how to take care of yourself critical to having the best possible results so myself and my staff will walk you through each part of the process every step of the way.

Liposuction is done under general anesthesia or IV sedation. With very small isolated areas, I sometimes perform liposuction under local anesthesia. I believe that every part of the surgical team is essential to having a perfect and smooth surgery so every part of my extended team is focused during surgery, and pays attention to every detail. We will all ensure that as you enter the operating room and are gently placed under anesthesia you will feel relaxed and calm and excited. During the operation we will all be focused on keeping you warm, comfortable, and cared for. During the surgery, I am gentle and and respectful and ensure a positive and calm environment around you.
After placing the numbing solution, I make small (less than 4mm), discreet incisions in the areas to be treated. I will show you where all these incisions will be placed prior to surgery. I have developed a special multi-staged technique that removes fat in an even and gentle fashion. The details of this and why it is important will be explained to you in your consultation. A thin liposuction cannula is inserted in a small incision and attached to a suction machine. The procedure may take an hour or several hours, depending on how many areas are involved. I take pride in creating even, symmetric, and natural looking results. I take extra time and care with every single stroke and motion and with the shaping of the body. Too often I see liposuction performed over-aggressively resulting in bumps, irregularities, injuries to the skin and tissues that are often irreversible. Like everything else, liposuction requires meticulous attention to detail and artistry to create the best possible results.

Recovery from liposuction is relatively easy. A few hours after surgery you should be up and walking around. Many of my patients return to work a few days after surgery. Gentle liposuction technique has minimal pain and a quick recovery. Swelling and some bruising is normal the first two weeks. You will wear special garments that are measured for your body and provided to you to apply pressure, minimize swelling and provide support while healing. These garments also assist in retraction of the skin. I use dissolvable sutures so they don’t need to be removed.
Following liposuction, the scars, which are extremely small, may be a little red. Over the next 6-12 months they slowly fade. You will start scar treatments around 2 weeks after surgery. I will discuss scar care in detail with you and also provide you with scar medications and products. The scars will be almost invisible.
Overall, my patients are extremely happy after liposuction. They finally feel they are rid of “problem areas” they lived with for a long time even despite diet and exercise. They have a smoother contour and a more proportionate shape. I truly enjoy performing liposuction and feel like a sculptor, helping my patients achieve the aesthetic shape they desire.