What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical body-contouring procedure that removes localized deposits of subcutaneous fat to improve shape, proportion, and definition.

Even patients who maintain a healthy lifestyle and stable weight may have areas of disproportionate fat related to genetics, age, hormones, or individual patterns of fat distribution. Liposuction can selectively reduce these areas when diet and exercise alone cannot target them.

Common treatment areas include:

• Abdomen and waist
• Flanks or “love handles”
• Back
• Hips
• Inner and outer thighs
• Knees
• Upper arms
• Calves and ankles
• Chin and neck

During liposuction, small incisions are made near the treatment areas. A thin surgical tube called a cannula is introduced beneath the skin and used to carefully remove excess fat while contouring the surrounding tissues.

The specific liposuction technique is selected according to the treatment area, amount and quality of fat, skin characteristics, and the surgeon’s preferred approach.

Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure and is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for weight loss.

It is also important to understand that liposuction removes subcutaneous fat located beneath the skin. It does not remove visceral fat located deeper within the abdomen around the internal organs.

What Can—and Can't—Liposuction Correct?

Liposuction is most effective for localized fat deposits when the overlying skin has adequate elasticity.

Liposuction can:

• Reduce localized areas of excess fat
• Improve body proportion
• Define the waist and other contours
• Improve symmetry
• Refine the results of other body-contouring procedures

Liposuction does not reliably remove or tighten significantly loose skin.

Patients with substantial skin laxity may require an excisional procedure such as a tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift, or body lift to achieve the desired contour.

In some patients with poor skin elasticity, removing fat without removing excess skin can make preexisting skin laxity more noticeable. Careful assessment of skin quality is therefore an important part of surgical planning.

Liposuction is also not a treatment for cellulite and cannot guarantee perfectly smooth skin.

Who Is It For?

Liposuction may be appropriate for patients who:

• Have localized areas of excess fat that are disproportionate to the rest of their body
• Are at or near a stable weight appropriate for their overall health and goals
• Have reasonable skin elasticity
• Are in good overall health
• Do not smoke or use nicotine, or are able to discontinue nicotine as directed before and after surgery
• Have realistic expectations regarding contour improvement

Patients do not need to be significantly overweight or to have “failed” diet and exercise before considering liposuction. Many appropriate candidates are already active and healthy but have genetically determined areas of fat that remain resistant to changes in overall body weight.

Preparation

Before surgery, patients typically undergo a detailed medical history and physical examination.

Preparation may include:

• Evaluation of the areas to be treated and the quality of the overlying skin
• Maintaining a stable weight
• Discontinuing nicotine before and after surgery according to your surgeon’s instructions
• Reviewing all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and weight-loss medications
• Temporarily discontinuing medications or supplements that may increase bleeding when medically appropriate
• Completing laboratory testing or medical clearance when indicated

The treatment areas are typically marked before surgery, often while the patient is standing, so that areas of fat distribution and asymmetry can be accurately assessed.

Specific fasting and medication instructions will be provided by the surgical and anesthesia team.