Liposuction Salt Lake City

What is Liposuction?

Sometimes, a consistent diet and exercise routine isn't enough to achieve the body you want. Often, certain stubborn fat deposits can be particularly difficult to get rid of as they persist no matter how hard you try. Liposuction is a well-known fat removal process and cosmetic surgery aimed at eliminating persistent fat pockets in places like your abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and neck. This body contouring procedure employs a unique suction method to specifically target and extract these fat cells, allowing you to achiever your desired body contour.

Our board certified plastic surgeons offer a range of plastic surgery options to help you look and feel your best. Our highly trained and skilled surgeons can perform liposuction surgery to get rid of body fat in those stubborn "problem areas" that seem like they refuse to go down.

The most common areas that people get liposuction are: the stomach, hips, thighs, flanks (often called a "muffin top"), the buttocks, arms, neck, and chin.

You can also combine your liposuction surgery with other cosmetic procedures, including: skin tightening, face lift, arm lift, belt lift, breast lift, and breast augmentation.

Liposuction vs. Weight Loss

It's important to note that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, instead, it’s a technique designed for fat reduction and to give you a more toned and aesthetic look. If you are overweight or obese, please consult a primary care doctor to discuss ways to lose weight, such as a healthy diet, consistent exercise, or bariatric surgery (gastric bypass) before considering liposuction.

How Does the Liposuction Procedure work?

During a liposuction procedure, your plastic surgeon will first apply a general or local anesthesia, then make a small incision and inject a liquid solution to weaken the fat cells. Next, they will insert a small tube into the area where you have excess fat and use a back-and-forth motion to loosen the fat. Your plastic surgeon will use a small vacuum or syringe to suction out the fat that breaks free, removing unwanted fat. Often times, liposuction is a "last step" after a weight loss journey to get rid of stubborn excess fat that hangs on no matter how much of healthy lifestyle you lead.

Is Liposuction Safe?

Liposuction is a very safe procedure. However, for the best results, it’s important to work with an experienced and well-trained plastic surgeon. As with any surgical procedure it does come with risks, but you can minimize your risk by getting liposuction from the right plastic surgeon. Liposuction risks are generally low. For more information, here are a couple of handy links to the Mayo Clinic webpage, as well as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons webpage. At Liposuction Salt Lake City, our experienced and board certified plastic surgeons are ready to help you along your journey, step by step. Don't be afraid to ask any question you may have, we're eager to help!

Body Contouring with Liposuction

Achieving the body shape you desire can be difficult, even more so when stubborn fat deposits don’t respond to your disciplined diet and exercise routines. Over time, it can become increasingly difficult to maintain a toned, slimmed, and youthful figure as fat becomes more resistant to more natural weight loss methods. Liposuction SLC offers you an effective body sculpting procedure that removes these unwanted fat pockets, helping you achieve a more contoured and refined body profile.

Our surgeons are highly skilled in the latest liposuction techniques, providing personalized care and excellent results. With their extensive experience in fat removal procedures, they are sure to give you a silhouette you'll love and help you regain your confidence!

What Can I Expect During the Consultation?

Before you get liposuction, you will meet with one of our plastic surgeons for a consultation. During your visit, the plastic surgeon will review your medical history and perform an exam, speak to you about your goals for your plastic surgery, give you information about your liposuction procedure, and answer any question you might have.

Photographs will also be taken during your liposuction consultation, to compare a before and after. Your plastic surgeon will also discuss your liposuction results, options and any risks or complications that my arise. Please be sure to ask questions! Anxiety and worry are natural. Our team is here for you, and to make your journey and experience as comfortable and amazing as possible!

What Can I Expect During the Liposuction Surgery?

Before Surgery

You will meet with your plastic surgeon before your surgery. They will use a marker to draw on your skin and mark the areas where liposuction will take place.

Next, anesthesia will be administered for your comfort. This can be either intravenous or general anesthesia, your doctor will recommend the best for you.

How Painful is Liposuction Surgery?

Liposuction surgery can be painful, but how much pain you experience after the surgery depends on your pain tolerance. Over-the-counter medications can help with minor pain while other people may need stronger prescription pain medicine for more intense pain. The pain will go away slowly as your body heals over the coming weeks.

During Surgery

Once you've taken anesthesia and in the operating room, the plastic surgeon will inject tumescent fluid (a combination of epinephrine and lidocaine) into the area where they want to remove fat cells. Epinephrine makes the area firm and swollen so it's easier to work with. It does this by shrinking your capillaries, or small blood vessels. This will also make suctioning out the fat easier without much bleeding. The lidocaine numbs the area. If you can still feel pain, immediately notify your surgeon.

The plastic surgeon will then insert a thin hollow tube, called a cannula, through discreet and small incisions. Then, with a controlled back-and-forth motion, the cannula will dislodge and loosen the excess fat, which will be sucked out through a surgical vacuum or a syringed attached to the cannula.

Length of Surgery

Most liposuction surgeries take between one to three hours. If the surgeon thinks your procedure will take longer than six hours, they may recommend splitting it into two or more shorter surgeries.

Surgery time depends on how much fat you want removed, the number of treated areas, and other specific options related to your treatment.

After Surgery

Your new body contour will appear once the common swelling and fluid accumulation during liposuction recovery subside. With a consistent diet and fitness routine, your liposuction results will be permanent! Rapid and substantial changes in weight can affect results however.

You may have to stay anywhere from an hour to overnight in the hospital after surgery. Be sure to arrange someone to drive you to and from the surgery, and stay with you for the first night.

For most patients, recovery typically involves taking about a week off from work, with six weeks being normal for complete recovery. During this period, any discomfort is generally mild and can be effectively managed with pain medication . As the initial weeks of recovery pass, you'll start to notice the stunning results of your procedure, which will continue to improve as as your body heals. You will begin to see a sleeker, more defined silhouette.

What Are the Risks to Liposuction?

All surgical procedures have risks, including liposuction. Some of the most common concerns after liposuction include: 

• Irregular contour or asymmetry — Uneven fat removal may cause you too look asymmetrical, with fat pockets on one side and not the other.
• Persistent change in skin — Another result of uneven fat removal. Your skin may look uneven, bumpy, rippled, or dimpled as a result of fluid buildup, fat removal, and other causes.
• Fluid under your skin — Cysts or seromas may develop after surgery. Fluid fills areas under the skin causing an uneven or lumpy look.
• Bleeding — Bleeding is a minimal risk with a liposuction surgery. Immediately contact your doctor or go to the emergency room if you are bleeding a lot, or have bleeding that will not stop after your surgery.
• Infection — Infection is a risk with any surgery. Signs include: chills, fever, and redness or swelling in the area of the incision. Immediately go to an emergency room or call your doctor you have signs of infection.
• Punctured abdominal organs — An extremely rare occurrence. Your internal organs my be damaged if the tube used for surgery goes into the wrong area. 
• Fat embolism — Another extremely rare but real risk. It happens when small fat deposits break off from the area where liposuction surgery was done and travel to other areas of your body. It could be dangerous or life-threatening if these fat deposits get into your bloodstream and block a vein or go to the brain, heart, and lungs.

Your surgeon will discuss the risks with you before your consent. Please ask any questions you may have, and address any concerns directly. Your safety is paramount to us.

Schedule your Initial Consultation today!