Liposuction
Customized Body Sculpting And Liposuction In Beverly Hills And Los Angeles
Liposuction
Customized Body Sculpting And Liposuction In Beverly Hills And Los Angeles
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess fat. At Cassileth Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, Dr. Cassileth is highly experienced in advanced liposuction techniques for beautiful, smooth, natural-looking body contouring.
When it comes to diet and exercise, sometimes our best efforts can’t deliver the results we want. Dr. Cassileth understands how frustrating it can be to have stubborn pockets of fat even when you eat well and work out regularly. Genetics, age, pregnancy, and weight changes can make it difficult to achieve a slim, toned figure. Liposuction can eliminate fat from the abdomen, hips, thighs, love handles, arms, neck, and more.
Liposuction Topics on this Page
Benefits Of Liposuction
- Can improve confidence and self-esteem
- Delivers a slimmer, leaner look
- Fully customizable to help each patient meet their goals
- Permanently removes fat cells
- Can improve symmetry for a more proportionate figure
- Can be combined with other cosmetic procedures such as tummy tuck or mommy makeover
- Can be used for fat grafting to enhance other areas, such as breasts or buttocks
- Can be used in reconstructive surgery or to treat medical conditions such as lymphedema or gynecomastia
Liposuction—What To Expect
Understanding What Liposuction Can And Can’t Do
Liposuction is a fat removal procedure, but it is not a weight loss procedure and it is not meant to treat obesity, as it is not safe to remove very large amounts of fat. Liposuction is an effective solution for patients who are close to their ideal weight, but struggle with isolated fat deposits and areas of body fat that don’t respond to diet or exercise. Patients on a weight loss journey, with or without bariatric surgery, may seek liposuction once they are at a healthy, stable weight in order to improve their body contours.
Preparing For Liposuction
If you think that liposuction may be right for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Cassileth. Your consultation is your chance to learn more about your options and get answers to all your questions. If you and Dr. Cassileth agree that liposuction is right for you, she will provide you with detailed pre-operative instructions.
How Liposuction Works
Liposuction is an outpatient procedure performed under sedation—usually general anesthesia, although local anesthesia may occasionally be used for small treatment areas. Dr. Cassileth will make very small incisions, strategically placed to minimize any visible scarring. Then she will use a cannula (a thin, straw-like instrument) to suction and remove the fat.
Liposuction Recovery
In the days after your liposuction procedure, you may experience temporary side effects such as swelling and bruising. You may be provided with a compression garment to help reduce swelling in the treated areas. Dr. Cassileth will give you detailed post-operative instructions, including information about caring for the incisions and how long you will need to refrain from strenuous activity. Dr. Cassileth will also advise you on follow-up appointments and pain medication if needed.
Types Of Liposuction
There are several types of liposuction and Dr. Cassileth will advise you on which type of liposuction is best for you, depending on your needs and goals.
Tumescent Liposuction
This is a traditional liposuction procedure in which the surgeon injects a solution of salt water, lidocaine (a local anesthetic), and epinephrine (which helps blood vessels contract) to prepare the targeted areas. A cannula connected to a specialized vacuum is then used to suction fat through small incisions.
Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction (UAL)
A UAL procedure utilizes ultrasonic energy conducted through a specialized device to disrupt the fat-cell walls. UAL works well for areas with dense fat, like back fat, buffalo humps (just below the back of the neck) and areas that have been previously treated. Advanced UAL VASER-assisted liposuction can also improve the appearance of the skin in the treated area.
Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)
PAL liposuction uses intense vibration to assist in fat removal for larger treatment areas.
BodyTite with liposuction
uses radiofrequency energy to heat and melt the fat, which makes removal more even and less traumatic. The heat transferred to the deep tissue and the back of the skin tightens these structures as it removes the fat, resulting in a smooth, tight “after” result and avoids the ugly “liposuctioned” look in areas at risks for loose skin or irregular fat after traditional liposuction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction
Ideal candidates for liposuction are in good general health, are within 30% of their ideal body weight, and have good skin elasticity.1 People who smoke, have heart problems, or medical conditions that inhibit healing are not candidates for liposuction.
Many areas of your body can be treated with liposuction, including:
- Abdomen
- Waist
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Legs
- Back
- Upper arms
- Chin and neck
Liposuction can improve the overall appearance of the treated area, but if cellulite is a primary concern, we recommend targeted cellulite treatment.
No, this is a common myth about liposuction. Once the fat is removed, those fat cells are permanently destroyed. However, you can still gain weight and it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to keep your lean, toned look. If you do gain weight, fat cells may get bigger in other areas because the areas where fat was removed can no longer grow.
At Cassileth Plastic Surgery, we prioritize patient safety. Any surgical procedure carries some risk of complications, but you can minimize your risk by choosing a qualified and experienced surgeon.2 Potential complications of liposuction surgery include blood loss, blood clots, fat embolism, infection, and fluid accumulation.
Yes, liposuction is often used in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery procedures in order to improve body contours. It may be used along with tummy tuck, breast reduction, breast augmentation, or as part of a customized mommy makeover.
Liposuction is performed for procedures such as breast augmentation with fat grafting, facial fat grafting and during breast reduction to remove stubborn fat in the area between the bra and underarm.
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We believe that the connection between the patient and the provider is at the heart of every successful procedure and look forward to meeting you in person to discuss your goals.
1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Liposuction. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction Accessed May 28, 2024
2 Mayo Clinic. Liposuction. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liposuction/about/pac-20384586 Accessed May 28, 2024