Liposuction
A very popular procedure for both women and men, liposuction sculpts the body by removing unwanted fat cells from specific problem areas like the waist, hips and thighs. With liposuction, patients can achieve improved body contours in ways that diet and exercise can’t deliver on their own.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons specialize in body contouring surgeries like liposuction. They have performed over 2,200 liposuction procedures to help men and women in the Sacramento area and beyond achieve the body shape they desire.
Why Choose Us
- The most natural-looking results come from a customized approach that meets your specific needs. We have served patients in the Sacramento area since 2006, so we have years of experience in body contouring.
- Our plastic surgeons have a great deal of expertise in both surgical and noninvasive cosmetic surgery procedures.
- We provide our patients with access to the latest tools and technology the plastic surgery field has to offer. We also perform CoolSculpting® as a nonsurgical alternative to liposuction—for the right candidates.
- Our doctors believe the best results come from good communication between ourselves and our patients, and promise to listen to your needs when deciding which surgery options are right for you.
- The majority of our highly trained staff have been with us for over 5 years, and we’ve worked with the same anesthesiologist team nearly the entire time we’ve been in practice.
Best Candidates for Liposuction
It is important to note that no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise. While liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that have not responded well to traditional weight loss methods, it shouldn’t be thought of as a replacement for a healthy lifestyle. Because of this, the ideal candidates for liposuction are already at or close to their target weight but with pockets of excess fat in certain areas that haven’t improved with diet and exercise alone.
Additionally, liposuction candidates should:
- Not smoke or vape.
- Be in good physical health.
- Have realistic expectations about their results.
- Be committed to maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits long-term.
Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck
One limitation to liposuction is that it does not address loose or sagging skin – it only removes stubborn fat. If you have excess skin that you would like to remove, your plastic surgeon will likely recommend combining liposuction with a tummy tuck or other skin removal surgery, depending on which area(s) you would like to treat.
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, removes and tightens excess skin in the midsection and can also repair separated abdominal muscles, which can create a bulging stomach. Liposuction and abdominoplasty are very commonly combined to address both excess skin at fat simultaneously.
Liposuction After Weight Loss
While liposuction is not a weight loss method, it can be beneficial for people who have lost a significant amount of weight but are still stuck with stubborn fat in challenging areas like the hips, thighs or chin.
Also after weight loss, loose or excess skin is a common concern. Many patients benefit from combining liposuction with skin tightening procedures such as a tummy tuck, thigh lift or arm lift. Your plastic surgeon will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your goals and specific needs. In some cases, more than one surgery may be necessary in order to address multiple large treatment areas.
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Liposuction Treatment Areas
Liposuction can be used just about anywhere on the body, as well as the chin and jawline. Areas where liposuction can be particularly effective include the:
- Waist, hips and love handles
- Bra rolls and back
- Thighs
- Calves and ankles
- Arms
- Chin and jawline
In many cases, your surgeon will be able to treat multiple areas with liposuction in the same procedure. However, larger areas of liposuction combined with other body contouring procedures may need to be split into more than one surgery to ensure your safety and best results.
Your Consultation
Before you have liposuction, you will need to schedule a consultation at our office. During this time, you’ll be able to discuss your ideal results with your plastic surgeon and review all of your possible options. Your surgeon will perform a physical examination of your problem areas and assess your body proportions to determine whether liposuction is right for you and which techniques will work best to help you meet your goals.
Our surgeons understand that each person seeking liposuction will have their own unique concerns and goals. When customizing your procedure, they use a personalized approach to get you as close as possible to your ideal figure.
Liposuction is often performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck, in order to further sculpt the abdomen and provide more complete results. Liposuction can also be included as part of a mommy makeover to contour the entire body.
Preparing for Liposuction
If you decide to move forward with liposuction, your plastic surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions on how to best prepare for your upcoming procedure. Follow these as closely as possible to ensure a smooth, streamlined experience from start to finish.
Some general guidelines that can help you prepare for liposuction include:
- Completing any requested blood work.
- Reviewing your medications and supplements with your plastic surgeon and making any adjustments as needed.
- Having prescriptions filled in advance.
- Arranging for someone to drive you to and from your procedure and to say with you for at least the first 24 hours afterwards.
- Preparing a comfortable recovery space at home and planning meals ahead of time.
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing and slip-on shoes on the day of your procedure.
The Liposuction Procedure
Liposuction begins with administering a saline solution, or tumescent fluid, to the area to be treated. This helps to break apart the fat cells, making them easier to remove, and reduces the risk of complications. Next, your surgeon will make tiny incisions near the area to be contoured, through which a cannula, or hollow surgical tube, is inserted. The fatty deposits are then broken apart further and removed with suction. Your surgeon will strategically sculpt the targeted areas with the cannula to produce the body contours you wish to achieve.
The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably depending on the size of the area and the amount of fat being removed. The specifics of your liposuction procedure will be decided during your consultation and your surgeon will discuss these in detail prior to your procedure.
Liposuction Risks and Safety
Like all surgical procedures, liposuction can come with risks and potential complications, though it is typically an uncomplicated procedure. Risks associated with liposuction can include infection, bleeding, blood clots and healing complications. Your surgeon will discuss these risks in more detail with you during your consultation so that you are well-informed, as well as go over ways that you can help to prevent complications before and after surgery.
Our surgeons take great care to minimize potential risks and complications, always prioritizing patient safety and satisfaction.
Liposuction Recovery
Recovery from liposuction usually takes 7 to 10 days, though this can vary depending on the length of your surgery and how much fat was removed. While you may be able to see some initial changes to your body, you will need to be patient and let your body recover. You’ll most likely have some bruising and swelling, though these should fade away as you continue to heal.
You’ll be given specific instructions regarding the healing process, including wearing compression garments for 6 weeks following the procedure to help ensure that your body heals properly and that you feel as comfortable as possible.
You will be asked to avoid strenuous physical activity for 4 to 6 weeks after liposuction, though you are encouraged to get up and walk around during this time to promote healthy circulation. Your surgeon will let you know when you can resume your normal exercise routine once you are fully healed.
Liposuction Results
Many patients are able to see a noticeable improvement in the shape of their body directly after liposuction. However, swelling can significantly downplay your results initially, so be patient as your body heals and swelling gradually diminishes over the coming weeks, revealing your new look.
Full liposuction results typically take around 6 months to develop, depending on the extent of the procedure and whether your liposuction was combined with other procedures.
To help preserve your results for as long as possible, it’s essential to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Even though the fat that is removed through liposuction cannot grow back, weight gain can cause the surrounding fat cells to increase in size and ultimately undo the results you’ve achieved.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does liposuction cost in Sacramento?The cost of liposuction in Sacramento will depend on the size and number of areas that are being treated. The best way to get an accurate liposuction cost estimate is to schedule a consultation to discuss your specific goals and the details of your surgery. We are also happy to discuss available plastic surgery financing options at this time if you are interested.
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Does insurance cover liposuction?No, most health insurance plans do not cover liposuction, since it is considered an elective procedure.
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How many areas can you lipo at once?There is no limit to the number of areas you can treat, but there is a limit to the amount of fat that can be suctioned out at one time (5 liters).
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Will I leak after liposuction?Yes, you will leak for the first 24 hours.
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How long are compression garments worn after liposuction?You will be required to wear compression garments for 6 weeks following your liposuction surgery.
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Will I have scars after liposuction?Yes, you should expect scars from liposuction. However, they are extremely small.
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Does liposuction help you lose weight?No, liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Rather, liposuction is a procedure for body contouring, which means your clothes may fit differently afterward and targeted fat will be reduced.
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Does liposuction treat cellulite or stretch marks?No, liposuction is not an effective treatment for cellulite or stretch marks. If these are concerns for you, let your surgeon know during your consultation.
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Will the fat return after lipo?The fat cells that are removed during liposuction are gone for good. However, the remaining fat cells can become larger with new weight gain after liposuction.
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Are there less invasive body contouring options?CoolSculpting® is a popular nonsurgical alternative to liposuction. Talk to your surgeon about the benefits of CoolSculpting and liposuction to see which could be right for you.
Meet Our Doctors
Our surgeons are dedicated to creating beautiful, natural results so you can look and feel your very best.
Liposuction in Sacramento, CA for Refined Body Contouring
Liposuction is one of the best cosmetic procedures for refining areas of the body that don’t slim down from diet or exercise. For Sacramento and Folsom, California men and women, liposuction can help refine contours, enhance proportion, and feel more comfortable in their own skin when dealing with stubborn fat that won’t budge despite a healthy lifestyle.
What Liposuction Can and Cannot Do
Liposuction is designed for body contouring; it is not a weight loss method. It does this by softly contouring localized fat to give smoother and more proportionate lines. Typical sites for treatment are the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, back and neck.
It’s important to understand that liposuction:
- Targets specific fat pockets
- Enhances shape and definition
- Does not replace healthy habits
- Works best for patients near their ideal weight
When used appropriately, it can deliver natural-looking results that complement your body rather than change it dramatically.
A Personalized Surgical Plan
Every body is unique, that’s why a personalized plan is so important. During a consultation, your surgeon will consider your anatomy and skin quality and your goals to determine if liposuction is an appropriate treatment and which areas will be most responsive. The modern liposuction techniques we use are more accurate and provide controlled fat extraction, in order to preserve smooth borders between treated and untreated regions.
The Procedure and Recovery Experience
Liposuction is usually done as an outpatient procedure. The amount of treatment time will vary based on how many areas are being treated. Following surgery, patients will experience some swelling and bruising which should resolve over a few weeks.
Recovery often includes:
- Wearing a compression garment
- Light movement encouraged early
- Gradual return to normal activities
- Ongoing follow-up care
Final results become more noticeable as swelling subsides and the body adapts to its new contours.
Safety and Expertise Matter
Safety and satisfying results depend upon selecting an experienced, board-certified body contouring surgeon. Good technique, thoughtful planning and attention to detail minimize risks, avoid complications and lead to natural results. Good communication is just as important as technical skill.
Is Liposuction Right for You?
If you feel that stubborn fat is getting in the way of a flatter, smoother body contour, liposuction may be a good alternative for you. A consultation at our office can help make you aware of what’s achievable and how well this procedure would fit your goals.
