Liposuction is a procedure designed to surgically remove excess fat that has collected in specific areas of the body. According to statistics from The Aesthetic Society®, liposuction was the top surgical procedure performed in 2023*, which is further proof of this treatment’s continuing popularity. For both women and men, liposuction from our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Amie Miller, offers an opportunity to eliminate stubborn fat pockets in localized areas for enhanced contours and beautiful results.
Liposuction At a Glance
- Potential Benefits: Liposuction is capable of reducing excess fat that lingers in specific body areas even among individuals who maintain excellent diet and exercise regimens. This treatment can eliminate this stubborn fat in virtually any region of the body and can help patients achieve beautiful new contours. Additionally, liposuction only requires very small incisions in the treatment areas, which typically results in minimal scarring.
- Candidates: Patients who are in good overall health and are experiencing collections of excess fat in specific areas of the body are often ideal candidates for liposuction. In general, candidates for this procedure are at or near the average healthy weight for their body type; however, they are affected by isolated pockets of fat that remain unresponsive to fitness and diet routines.
- Procedure: In most cases, liposuction can be performed on an outpatient basis with no requirement for an overnight stay at the hospital. General anesthesia will likely be necessary for this procedure.
- Recovery: For patients who have relatively small areas of excess fat targeted for liposuction, it may only take a few days of recovery at home before resuming many of their normal daily activities. For those who have larger areas targeted for treatment, approximately one week of home-based recovery may be recommended. Dr. Miller will be able to provide more precise recovery information once the initial evaluation has been conducted.
- Surgeon: Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Amie Miller is an experienced plastic surgeon who has successfully performed liposuction procedures for many patients. Dr. Miller utilizes advanced liposuction techniques and customizes these treatments for each patient to maximize the potential for achieving exceptional outcomes.
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What Are the Benefits of Liposuction?
Liposuction may be an ideal treatment for patients who simply cannot get rid of isolated fat pockets through traditional diet and exercise routines. This procedure can instantaneously remove excess fat buildup in areas such as the:
- Abdomen
- Hips
- Flanks/Love Handles
- Arms
- Thighs
- Calves
- Knees
- Breasts
- Back
- Neck
In fact, liposuction can be utilized on virtually any body area. With that in mind, it is important to note that liposuction is not a weight loss method—it is a tool for individuals who are looking to address particular body areas affected by persistent collections of excess fat that won’t go away.
Liposuction is often part of tummy tuck surgery or Mommy Makeover procedures available from our practice, or it can be performed as a standalone procedure. Dr. Miller can meet with you during an initial consultation to help you determine whether you are a good candidate for liposuction. If this procedure is right for you, she can create a customized treatment plan designed to meet your needs.
What Does the Liposuction Procedure Involve?
Liposuction usually requires general anesthesia and is most frequently performed as an outpatient procedure. There are a variety of liposuction techniques, and Dr. Miller will determine the best one to utilize based on your individual needs and goals. In general, liposuction involves the creation of very small incisions in the treatment area. Long, thin tubes called cannulas will be gently moved through these incisions and will quite literally suction out the fat cells targeted for removal to recontour the area. Since the incisions are minimal in length, residual scarring from this procedure is often very light for many patients.
What Can I Expect During Liposuction Recovery?
Compression garments are often prescribed for several weeks during the liposuction recovery process and should be worn as directed to help control swelling and to assist with maintaining the new contours in the treatment areas. Individuals who have had relatively small areas treated with liposuction may be able to resume many normal daily routines after a few days; those who have had larger amounts of fat extracted may need at least a week to sufficiently recover. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for a while following liposuction surgery. Dr. Miller will provide you with specific post-operative guidelines once your treatment plan is in place.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
The cost of liposuction typically starts at approximately $5,500 at our practice. It is important to keep in mind that liposuction is a customized procedure and, due to factors associated with the treatment plan that are unique to each patient, the price varies among individuals. The number of areas being targeted for treatment, the amount of liposuction necessary to achieve your goals, the complexity of the procedure, and costs associated with use of the surgical facility, anesthesia, and other components of your care will be taken into account for the overall price. Once your treatment plan has been developed, a friendly member of our team here at Foothills Plastic Surgery will produce a total cost estimate and answer any questions you may have. Our practice wants to make this part of the process as easy and convenient as possible for our patients, which is why we accept a variety of payment methods. Those include financing options available from a reputable third-party healthcare financing agency that can help qualified applicants pay for their treatment over time.
Contact Foothills Plastic Surgery
For more information on liposuction, or to schedule a consultation, please contact Dr. Amie Miller today.