Liposuction & Body Contouring
Frequently Asked Questions

Is liposuction a good way to lose weight?

No. Liposuction is less effective for people who are obese. It is more effective for those who are near their ideal weight, yet have one or more areas that do not respond to weight loss or exercise. In addition, people who are overweight are at higher risk of complications from liposuction than people closer to their ideal weight.

Does liposuction tighten loose skin?

Liposuction removes fat and reduces some of the pressure on your skin, but in general, it is not an effective way to tighten skin. Many people who have liposuction also undergo surgical procedures to remove excess skin.

Will the fat come back after liposuction?

If you should gain weight after liposuction, you can again accumulate fat in your cells. Because liposuction permanently removes many of the fat cells in treated areas, few fat cells remain that can expand. For that reason, you may gain less weight there than in other areas of your body that weren’t originally treated. The key to proper weight control is a healthy diet and exercise.

How long does the procedure take?

The time required for liposuction procedures varies depending on the size of the treated area, the amount of fat removed and the type of anesthesia used.

Will I have scars?

Your surgeon will make small incisions to insert his instruments into your fat deposits. If you have a large area being treated, or have many sites being treated, he or she will try to make the incisions as small and unnoticeable as possible.

What is Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL)?

UAL uses a special cannula to produce ultrasonic energy. As the cannula is passed through fat deposits, the energy breaks open the fat cell walls, allowing fat to flow out where it can be suctioned away. The advantage of UAL is that it is more effective in fibrous areas of the body, such as the upper back or the male breast or in areas that have been previously treated with liposuction.

How long will it take for me to get back to my normal activities?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure and requires time for healing. Most people can go back to work or school a few days after surgery. Your stitches will come out about a week to 10 days after your procedure. Strenuous activity should be avoided for about a month. Most of the swelling will disappear within a few weeks, but complete resolution of the swelling may take several months.