For the millions of us who diet and work out regularly, but still don’t see the results we want, there is hope in the form of a plastic surgery procedure called liposuction. Los Angeles liposuction patients have used this trusted and popular treatment to achieve their body contouring goals.
See before & after photos of actual patients from Marina Plastic Surgery.
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Liposuction, sometimes shortened to “lipo,” is a surgical procedure that uses suction to remove excess fat cells, thus reshaping and recontouring targeted body areas. Lipo can be a great option for people who have tried to reduce selected areas of their body through diet and exercise, but have not achieved their desired results.
Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure or a treatment for obesity. If you are overweight, you will likely get better results using gastric bariatric surgery. Be aware that lipo will not treat cellulite, nor will it repair or remove stretch marks.
Liposuction surgery breaks up body fat cells and then suctions them out of your body. Liposuction completely and permanently removes targeted fat cells in selected body areas. When you gain weight, fat cells increase in both size and numbers. This fat removal procedure reduces the number of fat cells in a specific area. Liposuction is available to both women and men.
Candidates should be in good general health and absent any physical conditions that could lead to surgical complications. For example, patients with coronary artery disease or a weakened immune system may be disqualified from receiving this procedure. Non-smokers are greatly preferred, as are people with firm, elastic skin. It is essential for patients to remember that this procedure is meant for body contouring and is not an obesity treatment. You need to be within 30 percent of your healthy body weight to be an ideal candidate. It’s important to focus on the right goals—contouring and reshaping rather than seeing a smaller number on the scale.
While liposuction at our Los Angeles practice is not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle, it can make you look and feel better. During the procedure, your surgeon uses a specially-designed surgical instrument known as a cannula to break up and remove excess pockets of fat. The procedure requires only small incisions and, with modern techniques, swelling and bruising during the recovery period can be minimized.
The success of your lipo procedure will be determined by the skill, training, and experience of your surgeon. Your chosen doctor should combine advanced surgical techniques with an eye for aesthetics. We know where to find such surgeons — Marina Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles.
In this common liposuction technique, the area to be treated is injected with large volumes of dilutes anesthesia, making general anesthesia uncecessary.
In power-assisted liposuction the tip of the suction tube is made to vibrate at a rapid speed. This loosens the fat cells so they can be easily suctioned away.
Ultrasonically-assisted lipoplasty can be used in conjunction with lipo techniques such as tumescent to product superior results in the right patient.
Smartlipo uses a technology called ‘laser lipolysis’ to destroy fat cells. It is less invasive and usually has faster recovery times.
Your surgeon will look through your medical history, including any surgeries you’ve had, and a complete list of all supplements and medications you are taking. For a specified period before and after your liposuction, you will most likely be asked to temporarily stop the use of any substance—such as aspirin - that could promote bleeding. If you smoke, you’ll need to stop for a period determined by your doctor. You may need to get certain lab tests before your procedure.
Liposuction has been one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures at our practice for many years. Your surgeon will select the technique that is best suited to your needs and goals. Our surgeons offer several variations on the liposuction technique, including:
Depending on the scope and extent of your procedure, liposuction is performed using either general anesthesia or localized sedation. And, again depending on the amount and locations of fat cells removed, your surgery may be performed in a same-day-release outpatient facility or a hospital, requiring at least an overnight stay. Thorough cleansing of your skin will precede your procedure to reduce the risk of surgical infection. After you’ve received your prescribed form of anesthesia, your targeted treatment areas may be injected with a combination of medications designed to break up and dissolve your fat cells. During your surgery, your medical team will at all times monitor your vital signs.
Your lipo could last several hours, depending on the size of your treatment areas and the amount of fat removed. In most liposuction procedures, your surgeon will make small incisions into your skin and insert a thin tube called a cannula. The cannula is connected to a vacuum that suctions fat from your treatment areas. Your incisions will be closed, usually with absorbable sutures. Your doctor may require that you wear a compression garment on your treatment areas immediately after surgery to minimize fluid accumulation. Typically, you will spend at least a few hours in a recovery room until your body clears all anesthesia. Whether your liposuction is “day surgery” in an outpatient center or requires at least a night’s stay in a hospital, make sure you have arranged for someone to drive you home.
You will experience some swelling, bruising, and soreness that will subside over a period of several weeks. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication if needed and as appropriate and will probably require you to wear compression garments for a few weeks to control swelling. You’ll be encouraged to start moving around the day after your procedure. Most patients can go back to work in 3-5 days. Hold off on strenuous exercise for a few weeks or until your doctor gives you the “green light.”
After your swelling subsides, you will look less bulky than you did before your liposuction. Within a matter of a few months, your treated area(s) will have a significantly leaner appearance. While most liposuction patients achieve 90 percent of their desired outcome within three months, you will continue to see ongoing improvement for up to six months. Your results will be very durable if you stay within a few pounds of your healthy body weight. Patient surveys indicate that more than 90 percent of liposuction patients are happy with their results.
Under the guidance and direction of founder Dr. Grant Stevens, Marina Plastic Surgery has become the L.A. Area’s premier practice for aesthetic treatments. Our team has treated patients from 63 countries and all 50 states. At Marina, we strive to deliver the best liposuction Los Angeles has to offer and we are internationally renowned, but always individually focused. For more information, Marina Plastic Surgery has a liposuction website that provides details about the most popular types of liposuction surgery. To receive a private consultation, request your appointment online and schedule your visit during one of the select times our surgeons have set aside exclusively for Web visitors. Looking to get rid of stubborn, unwanted fat with liposuction Los Angeles plastic surgeons at Marina can answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have. Give us a call.
While it varies from person to person, most Los Angeles liposuction patients report that their treatment areas feel like a large and sore bruise. However, few patients say their post-procedure pain interferes with concentration or mental sharpness. Over-the-counter drugs are usually sufficient to control discomfort, but your doctor can prescribe additional medication as appropriate.
All surgical procedures come with risks, including infection, bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and allergic reactions to medications or materials. Additional risks specific to lipo include:
Some patients also have some temporary numbness that resolves over time.
Yes. Liposuction is often combined with other plastic surgeries such as facelift, breast reduction, and tummy tuck.
Fat cells removed during liposuction are gone forever. But if you put on weight, new fat will be stored in places other than your treated areas.
Probably no more than a few pounds. Remember, lipo is not a weight-control procedure. It is a fat-loss treatment geared toward body contouring and reshaping rather than weight loss.
Scarring is almost always minimal because lipo requires only tiny incisions. Different individuals have different genetic scarring tendencies.
Because liposuction is categorized as a cosmetic procedure, your insurance will not cover the costs.
That will depend on the size and locations of your treatment areas. Have a comprehensive discussion with your doctor about costs prior to your treatment.
Discover why people from all 50 states and 63 countries around the world have made the journey to become our Patients for Life®. Schedule your consultation today to experience the industry-defining innovation and dedicated attention to detail of Marina Plastic Surgery in los angeles.
4560 Admiralty Way Suite 256, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
