Trying to learn about liposuction by researching online can be a bit overwhelming because there are so many different techniques. We hear a lot of questions about liposuction from patients who travel from Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and throughout the South Bay to our practice.
Even answering the question, “what is liposuction?” isn’t as straightforward as it seems because of the different ways the procedure can be performed. In fact, that’s one of the benefits of coming to a practice such as South Bay Plastic Surgeons because we offer several techniques. That means we can customize the procedure based on your specific needs.
The skill of our doctors who perform liposuction is one of the reasons our practice is recognized for its body contouring expertise. In this blog post, we’ll answer some of the most common questions women and men post in online forums about liposuction, which is one of the most popular procedures performed in the U.S. year after year.
What Is Liposuction?
The most fundamental answer to that question is that it’s a procedure that uses aspiration—the process of removing something (in this case, fat)—from the body using suction. Traditional liposuction involves making small incisions and then saturating the treatment area with a solution that includes lidocaine to help numb the area and epinephrine to minimize bleeding and swelling. The procedure requires surgeons to vigorously move a small, thin tube called a cannula back and forth to break up the fat, which is suctioned from the body.
How Does it Work?
This depends on the technique used. Besides traditional liposuction, our plastic surgeons also offer power-assisted liposuction (PAL) using specialized Microaire cannulas and VASER liposuction, which uses ultrasound technology as part of the procedure.
The PAL technique uses vibrating cannulas to break up the fatty tissue, making fat easier to remove and reducing the traumatic effects associated with manual liposuction. VASER liposuction uses high-frequency ultrasound vibration to break fat cells apart. Each technique has unique advantages.
What Areas of the Body Can Be Treated?
Even though most people associate liposuction with reducing fat in the abdominal area, the “love handles,” or the thighs, the truth is that it’s an incredibly versatile procedure that can target unwanted fat virtually anywhere on the body. Neck liposuction, for example, is a great option for people who want to minimize the appearance of a double chin. Some patients want liposuction for their calves and ankles, and the procedure can be used for men who want to reduce fatty tissue in their breasts.
Some patients choose to use excess fat from one area of the body to enhance another area, such as the buttocks. During a Brazilian butt lift, for example, surgeons harvest fat from an area such as the abdomen or thighs, remove impurities from the fat, and then inject it into the buttocks.
Can Liposuction Help Me Lose Weight?
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that’s designed for men and women who are already at or close to their ideal weight. Some patients actually use the idea of liposuction as motivation for losing weight prior to the procedure.
Will Fat Come Back After Liposuction?
Fat cells removed from the body during liposuction are gone for good. Fat can still accumulate in treated areas, though, if a patient doesn’t exercise or maintain a healthy diet. Even though the body doesn’t produce new fat cells, the existing cells increase in size as you gain weight.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
The cost of liposuction is determined by the area being treated, in addition to the number of treatment areas. The price of liposuction starts at $6,000. You’ll receive a detailed price quote after your consultation.
You can see the types of results our surgeons produce for liposuction patients by browsing our gallery of before-and-after photos. If you’re interested in discussing liposuction at our Torrance practice with one of our surgeons, contact us using the online form or call us at (310) 784-0644 to schedule an appointment.
Leave a Reply