We hear it all the time from patients… They’ve put in the hours at the gym, eaten right, and tried all the other tricks, but there is fat that just won’t go away. As you may be aware, this fat gets even more stubborn as we age.
While it may feel hopeless, it isn’t. In fact, WAVE’s patients have experienced tremendous success with liposuction.
What is liposuction?
Simply put, liposuction is the removal of fat via suction. This is accomplished after the patient is sedated and then a small incision is made in the treatment area(s). A cannula (think of it as a thin, hollow tube) is attached to a vacuum and then inserted into the incision area to remove the fat.
While this process sounds quite simple, there is an art in helping patients achieve their desired results with liposuction. WAVE’s expert team of board-certified plastic surgeons is able to use liposuction to sculpt and shape the body to help patients look their best.
Where can liposuction be performed?
Liposuction can treat fat throughout the body. Some of the most popular places to get liposuction are:
- Face
- Love handles/hips
- Abdomen and stomach
- Thighs
- Buttocks
Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
Patients who are struggling with those stubborn fat pockets typically see the best results with liposuction.
Remember that liposuction isn’t a weight loss solution, and patients that want to maintain their results should eat healthily and exercise.
Lastly, patients that have a lot of laxity in their skin may want to consider an additional procedure to ensure that the skin is tight after the fat has been removed with liposuction.
Can liposuction be combined with other procedures?
Some patients just choose to get liposuction to treat a few small areas, but it can actually be combined with a number of other procedures too.
Radiofrequency Tightening
One of the best procedures to be combined with liposuction is skin tightening. This tightening is achieved through radio frequency and can be used throughout the body. AccuTite, FaceTite, and BodyTite (the names differ depending on where treatment is being received) really take the results of liposuction to the next level. Fat is removed, the skin is tightened, and patients look great!
Fat Transfer
One of the most unique ways to use liposuction is through a “fat transfer”. This involves taking the fat that was liposuctioned from the body (typically the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks), purifying it, and then placing it in a different part of the body. Some patients do this for breast augmentation to get incredibly natural-looking results, and it can even be used on its own or with implants.
Fat transfer can also be used in the face! Some patients use this to treat hollow-looking eyes and sunken cheeks as well as other areas, including the nasal labial folds. Overall, the fat transfer to the face helps combat the signs of aging while maintaining very natural-looking results.
Mommy Makeovers and Brazilian Butt Lifts
Lastly, liposuction can be part of more complete body treatments like a Brazilian Butt Lift or a Mommy Makeover. This is because of the way liposuction helps sculpt the body and gives patients stunning results.
Post-Surgery
Most patients notice some bruising and swelling after their liposuction, which is quite common, and wearing a compression garment can help. Depending on the number of areas that received liposuction, it is recommended that patients take at least a few days off work for recovery.
While everyone is a little bit different, some patients can see results right away, especially in areas that have been sculpted. Since swelling is normal, results will continue to get better as the swelling goes down, which could range anywhere from 6-12 months, depending on the number of areas that received treatment.
Want to learn more?
Liposuction is a wonderful procedure and it can be combined with several other treatments depending on what patients are looking to achieve.
We’ve been helping patients just like you for nearly 20 years here at WAVE. Schedule your consultation today to see if liposuction is right for you. Call us at (888) 674-3001.
