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Liposuction
Liposuction
Liposuction
Struggling with stubborn fat that won’t budge, no matter how hard you stick to your diet and exercise routine? Liposuction, or “lipo,” could be the solution you’re searching for. This popular procedure helps both men and women target those tricky fat deposits, giving your body the contour you desire. Here’s everything you need to know about liposuction in Atlanta and how it can help you look and feel your best.
Questions & Answers
Liposuction is a surgical fat removal technique designed to contour specific areas of the body by removing unwanted fat cells. Many often wonder, is liposuction plastic surgery? Yes, it is. However, liposuction isn’t a weight-loss procedure. Instead, it’s a way to target fat in specific areas that won’t go away with diet or exercise.
Just how effective is liposuction? Liposuction can effectively reduce fat deposits in areas like the abdomen, back, thighs, and more, leading to a more sculpted appearance.
Liposuction techniques may be used to reduce fat deposits in the following areas:
- Abdomen and waist
- Back and bra line
- Calves and ankles
- Chest area
- Face, cheeks, chin, and neck
- Hips and buttocks
- Inner knees
- Inner and outer thighs
- “Love handles”
- Upper arms
The ideal candidate for Atlanta liposuction is someone who is close to their ideal body weight but has stubborn fat deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise. Good candidates also have firm, elastic skin and realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve.
While liposuction can address a variety of concerns, it does have limitations. Liposuction cannot:
- Treat obesity or serve as a substitute for proper diet and exercise
- Treat loose skin or cellulite
- Tighten abdominal muscles
Liposuction can be done in the office or as an outpatient procedure, depending on the scope of the procedure. The options include local anesthesia (numbing a specific area), sedation, or general anesthesia. The procedure typically takes one to three hours, depending on the number of areas being treated and the amount of fat being removed.
After the fat removal process, the incisions are closed with sutures. Compression garments are applied to help control swelling and assist in the recovery process. We’ll also provide pain medication, post-op instructions, and schedule a follow-up to check your progress.
Right after surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort, but the pain is usually mild to moderate and can be managed with medication. Most people can return to light activities in a few days, but avoid heavy exercise and lifting for several weeks. You’ll also need to wear compression garments to help with the healing and to reduce swelling.
As the swelling goes down within a few months, you’ll slowly start seeing results. Remember, everyone’s recovery rate is different. Your recovery may be quicker or take more time than the average. As for the final result, they are typically visible between 6 months to a year after the surgery.
Yes, many patients opt to combine liposuction with other cosmetic procedures such as a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or body lift. This can be an effective way to address multiple concerns in one surgical session, but your surgeon will determine whether you're a good candidate based on your health and aesthetic goals. Just talk to us about any of your concerns, and we will help you design a plan to meet your goals safely.
While there is no specific age limit for liposuction in Atlanta, you will have the best results if your skin still has enough elasticity to achieve a smooth contour after the procedure. Patients with firm skin tend to see the best results, while older individuals may experience looser skin post-surgery, which could require additional treatments.
Liposuction is not meant for weight loss. You'll get the best results when you're close to your ideal body weight. If you have a significant amount of weight to lose, it's better to lose that weight first, then use liposuction to shape any stubborn areas. In some cases, liposuction is done to reduce an area before weight loss. If you’re not sure whether liposuction is right for you, schedule a consultation with us so that we can make specific recommendations for your exact needs.
Yes. We follow the safety guidelines of the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), which limits liposuction to no more than 5 liters at one time. If we expect to reach that limit, we'll ask you to prioritize the areas you want treated first.
If you gain weight after liposuction, your body will respond like it normally does, with all fat cells getting larger. However, since there are fewer fat cells in the areas treated by liposuction, weight gain will show up in other areas first. If the weight gain continues, those treated areas will eventually enlarge too. The best way to keep your results is to stay motivated and maintain your weight.
Liposuction can leave loose skin behind, especially in patients with reduced skin elasticity. If you are no longer in your 20s, had a prior pregnancy, or lost a lot of weight, your skin may not be very elastic. In most cases, there won't be loose, hanging skin after the procedure, but you might have some 'pinch-able' loose skin. If you're looking for truly tight skin, we'll explore your surgical and non-surgical skin tightening options.
Cellulite is caused by fibrous bands beneath the skin, and while liposuction can reduce fat, it doesn’t address the structure responsible for the dimpled look of cellulite. In some cases, cellulite may even appear more noticeable after liposuction. If you're concerned about cellulite, we offer treatments like VelaShape and Aveli, which can be combined with liposuction for the best results.
Liposuction results are considered permanent as long as you maintain a stable weight. However, weight gain can cause new fat cells to develop in untreated areas, and natural aging may affect your body’s contours over time.
Liposuction is performed by first introducing a special fluid into the treatment areas using a tumescent technique. This fluid helps manage post-surgery pain and controls bleeding during the procedure. Next, a small, hollow tube called a cannula is inserted through tiny incisions—usually less than a quarter inch long—and placed in discreet spots, like skin folds or contour lines.
We use MicroAire Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL®), which makes the process easier, especially in areas with denser tissue. This technique doesn’t generate heat, so there’s no risk of burns, unlike some other methods like ultrasonic liposuction.
Wondering where you can get your liposuction? Whether your liposuction will be done in the office or at a surgery center depends on the extent of the procedure. For small areas of contouring, we can perform liposuction in our office procedure room using local anesthesia. You'll be given medication to help you relax, and the area will be numbed. Afterward, you’ll need someone to drive you home.
For more significant contouring, or if you’re combining liposuction with other procedures, your surgery will take place at a fully accredited surgery center. You'll have the option of being completely asleep or lightly sedated (“twilight” anesthesia), with a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist ensuring your comfort and safety. If you’re wondering what type of doctor does liposuction, board-certified plastic surgeons are the most qualified professionals to perform liposuction safely and effectively.
Please visit our My Consult page to learn more about what happens during your consult.
Please visit our Financing page to learn more on how much liposuction is in Atlanta and your financing options.
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- Facial Area: Neck