Quick answer: Liposuction removes excess fat from specific areas of the body by suction. MedlinePlus says it isn’t a substitute for diet and exercise, isn’t a cure for obesity and doesn’t treat cellulite or excess skin. It’s a surgical procedure with real risks, so it’s meant for people bothered by fatty bulges that diet and exercise haven’t removed, and who understand those risks.
Liposuction is one of the procedures that’s easiest to misread online. The National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus is usefully direct about it, so this article sticks to what it says. For the procedure at this office, see liposuction in San Diego.
What does liposuction do?
MedlinePlus describes it as a type of cosmetic surgery that removes unwanted excess fat to improve body appearance and smooth irregular body shapes. It’s sometimes called body contouring. Areas can include under the chin, the neck, cheeks, upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves and ankles.
A plastic surgeon typically does the surgery. Tubes called cannulas and a suction machine are used, working through small skin incisions.
What doesn’t it do?
This list matters as much as the first one.
| Liposuction isn’t… | What MedlinePlus says |
|---|---|
| A way to lose weight | It isn’t a substitute for exercise and diet, or a cure for general obesity |
| A cellulite treatment | It isn’t used as a treatment for cellulite |
| A fix for loose skin | It isn’t used as a treatment for excess skin |
| A route to an ideal body | It may enhance your appearance and self-confidence, but it will probably not give you your ideal body shape |
MedlinePlus also says many alternatives exist, including a tummy tuck or a breast reduction, or a combination of approaches. Your surgeon can talk through them with you.
Who does it suit?
MedlinePlus lists body shaping for people bothered by fatty bulges or irregularities that can’t be removed by diet and exercise among the uses for liposuction. It also says certain conditions should be checked and be under control first, including:
- A history of heart problems
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Allergic reactions to medicines
- Lung problems
- Tobacco, alcohol or illicit drug use
If any of these apply to you, bring it up early. Whether liposuction suits you is a decision for you and your surgeon, based on your own exam and history.
Is liposuction for men too?
Yes. The practice’s list includes liposuction for men. MedlinePlus says ultrasound-assisted liposuction may help remove fat from dense, fibrous areas such as the upper back or enlarged male breast tissue. If the second one is your concern, ask about it alongside gynecomastia surgery, which is a separate procedure on the practice’s list.
What are the types?
MedlinePlus describes four, and your surgeon can tell you which they use and why.
- Tumescent. The most common type. A large amount of medicated solution is injected into the area before the fat is removed.
- Super-wet. Similar, with less fluid.
- Ultrasound-assisted. Ultrasonic vibrations turn fat cells into liquid.
- Laser-assisted. Laser energy liquefies fat cells, using a smaller tube.
Fat that’s removed is sometimes processed and injected into other areas of the body, known as fat grafting.
What are the risks?
MedlinePlus says liposuction can have serious or rare fatal complications, so you should carefully think about your decision. The risks it lists include:
- Shock, usually when not enough fluid is replaced during surgery, and fluid overload
- Infections
- Bleeding and blood clots
- Fat embolism, tiny globules of fat in the bloodstream that block blood flow to tissue
- Nerve, skin, tissue or organ damage, or burns
- Uneven fat removal, dents or dimples, and contouring problems
- Reactions to medicines, including the lidocaine used in the procedure
- Scarring, or irregular or baggy skin, especially in older people
What happens before and after?
MedlinePlus describes a consultation that includes a history and physical exam, and says you may want to bring someone with you to help remember what’s discussed. It says to feel free to ask questions and to be sure you understand the answers.
Afterward, it describes bandages and a compression garment, swelling, bruising, numbness and pain that can be managed with medicines, and walking as soon as possible to help prevent blood clots. Follow your surgeon’s instructions for how long to wear the garment and when to return to work and exercise, because those depend on the location and extent of your surgery.
Where is it done?
MedlinePlus says liposuction can be done in an office-based facility, in a surgery center on an outpatient basis, or in a hospital, and that it may or may not require a hospital stay depending on the location and extent of surgery. If you aren’t hospitalized, you’ll need a ride home. MedlinePlus also says you may have blood drawn and be asked for a urine sample before the day of surgery, so your surgeon can look for conditions that may cause complications.
What should you ask at your consultation?
- Which of my areas would you treat, and which wouldn’t you?
- Would a tummy tuck or another approach better address what I’m asking about?
- Which technique would you use, and why?
- What anesthesia would I have, and where would the surgery happen?
- What are my own risks, given my health history?
- What should I plan for at home and at work?
Dr. Soltero shows pre- and post-operative pictures at consultation, not on this site. If you’re comparing several procedures, read about the mommy makeover combination. And before you choose any surgeon, it’s worth checking their California license. To talk it through in English or Spanish, book a consultation.
