Liposuction Surgery in Raleigh, NC
Liposuction, or lipo, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures across the country. Although it’s not a substitute for diet and exercise, liposuction is helpful in removing localized fat deposits that don’t seem affected by other weight loss techniques. If you’re at a healthy and stable weight but still have stubborn fat you’d like to get rid of, liposuction may be a good cosmetic procedure option for you.
Definition of Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure used to remove excess fat from specific areas of the body. It is a cosmetic surgery technique that aims to improve body contours and reduce localized fat deposits. During liposuction, a surgeon uses a thin tube called a cannula to suction out fat cells from beneath the skin.
Liposuction treatment is often performed on areas such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, hips, upper arms, and chin to create a more proportionate and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Liposuction is not a weight loss method but rather a body contouring procedure. It is essential to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine if liposuction is a suitable option and to understand the risks and benefits associated with the surgery.
“Dr. Ortiz is an artist and amazing plastic surgeon. He did a phenomenal job with my liposuction procedure and answered all of my questions. He makes you feel comfortable and genuinely cares about you obtaining a wonderful aesthetic result. His surgical nurse, Lauren, did a wonderful job assisting with the surgery and following me throughout the entire procedure and post-op visits. His staff members are extremely kind and were helpful through my experience as well. I definitely recommend him to anyone seeking an excellent cosmetic result.”
Fuad B.
Ideal Candidates for Liposuction Surgery
Candidates for liposuction surgeries should be in good overall health. Serious medical conditions, especially those that affect the ability to heal, may disqualify someone from undergoing liposuction. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure but is designed to remove localized fat deposits. Ideal candidates should be at or near their target weight and have maintained stable weight for some time.
Candidates should have realistic expectations about the outcomes of liposuction. It can improve body contours but will not achieve perfection or significant weight loss. Liposuction is more effective when the skin has good elasticity. Younger individuals often have better skin elasticity, but it varies from person to person.
Benefits of Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction procedures have emerged as popular cosmetic fat removal surgeries that offer a range of benefits to individuals seeking to refine their body contours and achieve a more sculpted appearance. This minimally invasive surgical technique has been a game-changer for those struggling with localized fat deposits that seem resistant to diet and exercise. While liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, it can complement one’s efforts and provide several notable advantages.
Improved Body Contours
One of the primary benefits of liposuction is its ability to remove excess fat from targeted areas, creating a smoother and more sculpted appearance. This can help individuals achieve the body contours they desire, enhancing their self-confidence.
Localized Fat Reduction
Liposuction is particularly effective at addressing localized fat deposits that are often genetically predetermined and unresponsive to traditional weight loss methods. Common treatment areas include the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, and chin.
Enhanced Self-Esteem
By eliminating areas of concern and achieving a more proportionate physique, liposuction can significantly boost an individual’s self-esteem and body image. Feeling more confident in one’s appearance can have a positive impact on overall mental well-being.
Health Benefits
In some cases, liposuction may offer health benefits by reducing excess fat that could contribute to certain medical conditions, such as obesity-related issues or mobility restrictions.
Motivation for a Healthier Lifestyle
Liposuction can serve as a motivating factor for some individuals to maintain a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise to preserve their results and overall well-being.
Benefits of Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction procedures have emerged as popular cosmetic fat removal surgeries that offer a range of benefits to individuals seeking to refine their body contours and achieve a more sculpted appearance. This minimally invasive surgical technique has been a game-changer for those struggling with localized fat deposits that seem resistant to diet and exercise. While liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, it can complement one’s efforts and provide several notable advantages.
Improved Body Contours
One of the primary benefits of liposuction is its ability to remove excess fat from targeted areas, creating a smoother and more sculpted appearance. This can help individuals achieve the body contours they desire, enhancing their self-confidence.
Localized Fat Reduction
Liposuction is particularly effective at addressing localized fat deposits that are often genetically predetermined and unresponsive to traditional weight loss methods. Common treatment areas include the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, and chin.
Enhanced Self-Esteem
By eliminating areas of concern and achieving a more proportionate physique, liposuction can significantly boost an individual’s self-esteem and body image. Feeling more confident in one’s appearance can have a positive impact on overall mental well-being.
Health Benefits
In some cases, liposuction may offer health benefits by reducing excess fat that could contribute to certain medical conditions, such as obesity-related issues or mobility restrictions.
Motivation for a Healthier Lifestyle
Liposuction can serve as a motivating factor for some individuals to maintain a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise to preserve their results and overall well-being.
Consultation and Assessment for Liposuction Surgery
The journey to liposuction surgery typically begins with scheduling an initial consultation with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. During the consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your specific goals and concerns with the surgeon. Be prepared to explain which areas of your body you would like to address and what you hope to achieve through liposuction.
Your surgeon will take a thorough medical history, including information about any pre-existing medical conditions, allergies, medications, previous surgeries, and lifestyle habits like smoking. This information is essential to assess your suitability for the procedure. He or she will then explain the different liposuction techniques available and discuss which one would be most suitable for your needs.
Surgical Techniques Used for Liposuction
There are two liposuction techniques: suction-assisted liposuction and ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL). During traditional liposuction or suction-assisted liposuction, a solution of saline, water, and anesthesia is injected into the fat cells that will be removed. Then, using a cannula similar to an IV needle, your plastic surgeon removes the fat cells. In UAL, ultrasound waves are used to emulsify the fat cells, making them easier to remove with a cannula.
While the specific steps of a liposuction procedure may vary depending on the technique used and the patient’s unique case, here is a general overview of the process following the administering of anesthesia.
Step 1: Incisions
Small incisions (typically less than a quarter-inch in size) are made near the areas to be treated.
Step 2: Tumescent Solution
A tumescent solution containing saline, a local anesthetic, and epinephrine is injected into the targeted areas. This solution helps minimize bleeding, numbs the area, and prepares the fat for removal.
Step 3: Fat Removal and Sculpting
A thin, hollow tube called a cannula is inserted through the incisions. Depending on the technique used, the surgeon may use laser energy, ultrasound, or other methods to assist in breaking up and liquefying the fat cells. The surgeon then suctions out the emulsified fat. The surgeon carefully sculpts and contours the treated areas to achieve the desired aesthetic outcome.
Step 4: Closure and Compression Garments
After completing fat removal and sculpting, the incisions are closed with sutures. Sometimes, absorbent pads or drainage tubes are placed to collect excess fluids. The patient is typically dressed in compression garments to minimize swelling, provide support, and aid in the healing process.
What is the Recovery Process Following Liposuction?
Since you will be coming out of anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you home from the surgery center. Following liposuction, you may experience some bruising and swelling, but once the healing is complete, you’ll have minimal scarring and a downtime of less than two weeks.
Most patients are okay to go back to work the next day, but should avoid exercise for six weeks and wear a compression garment for the same length of time.
What Are the Expected Results for Liposuction?
After your procedure, you can expect bruising, swelling, and tenderness in the areas where liposuction was performed. You will wear a compression garment for six weeks post-surgery. Liposuction is primarily performed to enhance body contours by removing localized fat deposits. Patients can expect a smoother, more sculpted appearance in the treated areas.
The most significant outcome of liposuction is the reduction in fat volume. Patients typically see a noticeable decrease in the size and thickness of the treated areas. Patients often find that clothing fits better after liposuction, as excess fat in troublesome areas is removed, resulting in a more comfortable and flattering fit. Many individuals report feeling better about their appearance and experiencing a boost in self-assurance.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost at North Raleigh Plastic Surgery?
The cost of your liposuction procedure includes all pre-op and post-op appointments as well as the surgery and surgical materials. The price also includes all post-op compression garments.
Can Liposuction Be Combined with Other Surgical Cosmetic Procedures?
Liposuction can often be combined with other surgical cosmetic procedures to achieve comprehensive aesthetic goals. The decision to combine liposuction with other surgeries depends on the patient’s individual needs, desired outcomes, and the recommendations of a qualified plastic surgeon.
Here are some common cosmetic procedures that can be combined with liposuction:
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Liposuction is frequently performed in conjunction with a tummy tuckto remove excess fat from the abdominal area while also addressing loose or sagging skin and muscle laxity. This combination can provide a flatter and more toned abdominal contour.
Breast Procedures
Liposuction can be used to contour the areas around the breasts, such as the sides (flanks) or the upper chest, to enhance the overall appearance of the breasts. This is often done in conjunction with breast augmentation, breast lift, or reduction reduction
Facelift or Neck Lift
Liposuction of the neck and jowls can complement a faceliftor neck lift procedure, helping to create a more youthful and rejuvenated facial profile.
Body Lift
Body lift surgery, which addresses excess skin and fat in multiple areas, can be combined with liposuction to further refine the contours of the body following significant weight loss.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
Liposuction is a crucial component of a Brazilian Butt Lift, where fat is harvested from donor areas, purified, and then injected into the buttocks to enhance their size and shape.
Thigh Lift or Arm Lift
Liposuction can be incorporated into thigh liftor arm lift procedures to improve the overall results by addressing localized fat deposits and achieving better contours.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy make over typically combines liposuction with procedures such as a tummy tuck, breast augmentation or reduction, and sometimes thigh or arm lift surgery to restore a woman’s pre-pregnancy body.
Liposuction FAQ’s
It is important to know that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Lipo is meant to sculpt the body and will not result in drastic weight loss.
Liposuction is considered a permanent procedure in the sense that the fat cells removed during the surgery do not grow back. Once fat cells are suctioned out of the body, they are gone for good. However, it’s important to understand that liposuction does not prevent new fat cells from forming in untreated areas if an individual gains weight.
Liposuction is not typically an effective treatment for cellulite. Cellulite is a common cosmetic concern characterized by dimpled or uneven skin texture, often found on the buttocks, thighs, and sometimes other areas of the body. It is caused by the way fat is distributed beneath the skin, with fibrous connective tissue pulling the skin downward, creating a dimpled appearance.
Our licensed anesthetist administers IV sedation and the solution that is injected under the skin to remove fat has an anesthetic agent that numbs the area for approximately six hours.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that, like any surgery, carries certain risks and potential complications. Some risks include infection, bleeding, bruising, swelling, fluid accumulation, and loss of sensation. It’s essential for individuals considering liposuction to be aware of these risks and to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon who can provide personalized information and guidance.
The length of your procedure depends on the amount of fat being removed. Your plastic surgeons will discuss the approximate length of your procedure during your consultation and pre-op appointment.
Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Jones also perform Lipo 360, which is liposuction around the entire torso instead of just on the abdomen or back. Ideal areas for treatment are the upper and lower abdominals, the flanks (love handles) on both sides, and the lower and mid-back.
The number of post-operative appointments you will have after liposuction can vary depending on several factors, including the surgeon’s preferences, the extent of the liposuction procedure, your individual healing progress, and any specific concerns or complications that may arise. However, typically you will have 3 follow up appointments and subsequent future appointments as needed.
To secure your liposuction surgery date, we kindly request an upfront payment of 25% of the total procedure cost. The remaining balance should be settled in full no later than two weeks before your scheduled surgery. It’s important to note that cosmetic surgeries are typically not covered by insurance; however, we provide a cash discount and accept various payment methods, including Care Credit and all major credit cards, to accommodate your payment preferences.
Contact Our Liposuction Plastic Surgeons in Raleigh Today
For those at a healthy weight who just want a little help improving their figure, liposuction is a great option. Our Raleigh plastic surgeons have helped countless men and women smooth their figure and boost their confidence with liposuction.
At North Raleigh Plastic Surgery, our goal is to educate you about every step of the procedure and keep you informed so you always feel comfortable. Schedule your personalized consultation by calling us at 919-532-2270 or by filling out the form below to get started.