Liposuction in San Diego, CA
Excess fat can cause you to feel flabby, unhealthy, and unattractive. Men and women often struggle to eliminate areas of fat through diet and exercise but are unsuccessful in creating the body contour they want. You may feel that your body lacks definition or a lean appearance because of your unwanted fat. Liposuction is a permanent fat removal process that sculpts and shapes the body for a firmer, more toned you!
Do you desire...- A flatter belly
- A firmer abdomen
- A toned appearance
- A slimmer waist
What Areas Can Be Treated With Liposuction?
ABDOMEN
The abdomen is one of the most common areas with unwanted fat storage. If you have problems with abdominal fat, you may appear bloated and your clothing may no longer fit comfortably. Fat around the stomach can obscure toned abdominal definition. Liposuction can be used to restore a flatter tummy.HIPS
Fat along the hips can cause “love handles” or an unsightly muffin top. Women often use liposuction to create more attractive curves around the hips. Fat removal along this area can restore a slimmer appearance, but it can also enhance a more shapely appearance in some women.THIGHS
Excess fat along the thighs can cause ill-fitting pants and painful chafing in some patients. By slimming the legs with liposuction, you can decrease the amount of painful irritation you may be experiencing. Additionally, liposuction can restore a leaner, more toned thigh that looks better in shorts and dresses.ARMS
A flabby arm appearance, sometimes called “bat wings,” can make many women and men feel self-conscious in specific types of clothing tops. Using liposuction to eliminate fat along the arms provides a stronger, leaner arm appearance. For many patients, this look cannot be achieved without surgical assistance.NECK
Fat accumulation along the neck, especially when it is localized under the chin, can contribute to the appearance of a double chin. Submental fat can cause your jawline to lack definition, and you may appear heavier than you are. Liposuction can eliminate your double chin, creating a slimmer appearance.ALTERNATE AREAS
Liposuction can be performed on many other areas if you desire to further enhance the contour of your body. Other areas that may benefit from liposuction include:- Back
- Chest
- Knees
- Ankles
How Is Liposuction Performed?
Liposuction is performed under local or general anesthesia. Small incisions are made in the target areas. A thin hollow tube (cannula) is inserted through the incisions. The doctor will make a back and forth motion with the tube to loosen some of the excess fat. Once the fat is loosened, it’s suctioned out with a syringe or a surgical vacuum.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction
- Am I a good candidate for liposuction?
Liposuction patients are in good health and have realistic expectations about their results. Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure; patients should be within 30 pounds of their ideal weight. If you have skin laxity or excess folds of skin, you may want to consider combining your liposuction with another body contouring procedure to remove loose skin.
- What procedures can be combined with liposuction?
Since you have to go under anesthesia for liposuction, many patients choose to combine additional cosmetic procedures with their liposuction. This saves money, reduces risks, and offers a more impressive reveal for the patient.
Liposuction is often performed in conjunction with body contouring procedures like breast lift surgery, breast augmentation with implants, and tummy tuck surgery. These procedures often make up a Mommy Makeover. Liposuction is also vital to the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) as it removes the necessary augmenting fat.
- Will the fat come back after liposuction?
Once the fat is successfully removed from an area, it cannot grow back. However, you’ll still have fat cells in those areas as well as other body regions. If you gain weight post-procedure, these fat cells can increase in size. That is why it’s recommended to maintain a stable weight after liposuction.
- Why is liposuction not a weight-loss procedure?
Liposuction isn’t a weight-loss procedure because it cannot eliminate excessive amounts of weight and is not an alternative to a healthy lifestyle. Instead, it’s considered a body contouring procedure for individuals who are healthy and close to their goal weight—usually within 30 pounds. Liposuction targets those stubborn pockets of fat that can’t seem to shrink, even with a healthy diet and exercise.
If you don’t meet these qualifications, it may be best to lose some weight before considering liposuction.
- How does liposuction differ from traditional weight loss?
When you lose weight with traditional weight loss, you shrink the fat cells in a given area (but the number of fat cells present remains the same). With liposuction, you physically remove fat cells from the body.
Additionally, traditional weight loss will allow you to lose weight, but you can’t really target where you lose fat. Sure, you can focus on certain exercises that will strengthen and tone your arms or legs, but that doesn’t mean you’ll lose all the fat you want to in those areas. Liposuction lets you choose exactly where you want to lose excess fat, so you can finally get rid of stubborn areas.
- What is my recovery like after liposuction?
After the operation, you will experience some swelling, bruising, and minor discomfort. Your doctor will prescribe medication for pain management. Most patients will be instructed to wear compression garments, which reduces swelling and promotes healing.
You can expect to return to work within a week or two of your procedure.
- What is the average cost of liposuction?
Depending on the size and number of treatment areas, the average liposuction treatment costs between $2,500 and $6,500.
- Can I have multiple areas of liposuction performed at once?
Yes. Dr. Pollack custom-tailors all of his liposuction procedures. Multiple areas are often treated to achieve the best results possible.
- What type of anesthesia is used during liposuction surgery?
Patients undergoing smaller liposuction treatments can utilize a local anesthetic. However, patients who require a more extensive procedure may benefit from using a general anesthetic.
- Will I experience any pain following my liposuction procedure?
You may experience some minor discomfort following your liposuction. Oral pain medication can control this discomfort, which should only last for several days.
- When can I resume my regular activities?
You should be able to return to work within a week of your surgery, and you can resume your regular exercise routine after four weeks with your surgeon’s permission.
- Will I need to wear a compression garment?
Most liposuction patients wear compression garments for several weeks following their liposuction to reduce swelling, stimulate skin tightening, and help ensure the best results possible.
- How long will my liposuction results last?
The fat removal achieved with liposuction is permanent, and most patients achieve results that leave them satisfied for years. However, you can develop new storages of fat. Using diet and exercise to prevent new fat from forming is the best way to maintain the quality of your results.
- Can fat removed using liposuction enhance other areas of my body?
Yes. Fat transfer uses liposuctioned fat to increase the size or reshape other areas of the body. The Brazilian Butt Lift uses fat harvested via liposuction to restore volume and shape a flat butt. Fat transfer may also be used to reshape the breasts or restore volume to the face.
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Interested in Learning More?
Dr. Pollack is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is dedicated to providing patients with safe and effective procedures. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of plastic surgery and looks forward to meeting you. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Pollack, please call our La Jolla practice at 858-450-9100 today.
Body Rejuvenation With Dr. Pollack