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Liposuction in San Diego, CA

Excess fat can cause you to feel flabby, unhealthy, and unattractive. Men and women often struggle to eliminate areas of fat through diet and exercise but are unsuccessful in creating the body contour they want. You may feel that your body lacks definition or a lean appearance because of your unwanted fat. If any of this sounds familiar, you may want to consider the benefits of liposuction, a process of permanent fat removal that sculpts and shapes the body for a firmer, more toned you!

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction, or lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove pockets of stubborn fat that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. It can be used to smooth and contour almost anywhere on your body, from your chin to your ankles. Liposuction is a permanent method of fat reduction, offering gorgeous results and a more defined physique.

Benefits of Liposuction in San Diego, CA

Liposuction is designed to remove stubborn pockets of excess fat, enhancing your curves and slimming “problem areas.” Benefits of liposuction include:

  • A flatter belly
  • A firmer abdomen
  • A toned appearance
  • A slimmer waist

Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. Instead, it is a body contouring procedure designed to put the finishing touches on your figure.

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What Areas Can Be Treated With Liposuction?

Abdomen

The abdomen is one of the most common areas where unwanted fat is stored. If you have problems with abdominal fat, you may appear bloated, and your clothing may no longer fit comfortably. Fat around the stomach can obscure toned abdominal definition. Liposuction can be used to restore a flatter tummy.

Hips

Fat along the hips can cause “love handles” or an unsightly muffin top. Women often use liposuction to create more attractive curves around the hips. Fat removal along this area can restore a slimmer appearance, but it can also enhance your curves, resulting in a more shapely appearance in some women.

Thighs

Excess fat along the thighs can cause ill-fitting pants and painful chafing in some patients. By slimming the legs with liposuction, you can decrease the amount of painful irritation you may be experiencing. Additionally, liposuction can restore a leaner, more toned thigh that looks better in shorts and dresses.

Arms

Flabby arms, sometimes called “bat wings,” can make many women and men feel self-conscious when wearing certain types of clothing. Using liposuction to eliminate fat along the arms provides a more toned, leaner arm appearance. For many patients, this look cannot be achieved without surgical assistance.

Neck

Fat accumulation along the neck, especially when localized under the chin, can contribute to the appearance of a double chin. Submental fat can cause your jawline to lack definition, and you may appear heavier than you are. Liposuction can eliminate your double chin, creating a slimmer appearance.

Additional Treatment Areas

Liposuction can be performed on many other areas if you desire to further enhance the contour of your body. Other areas that may benefit from liposuction include your back, chest, knees, and mons pubis.

Am I a Candidate for Liposuction?

Good candidates for liposuction are in good health and have realistic expectations about their results. Ideal candidates for liposuction are those who have a BMI of under 25, are within 30 pounds of their ideal weight, and have good skin elasticity. If you have skin laxity or excess folds of skin, you may want to consider combining your liposuction with another body contouring procedure to remove or tighten loose skin, as liposuction can make it more apparent.

How Is Liposuction Performed?

Liposuction is performed using local or general anesthesia. Small incisions are made in the target areas. A thin hollow tube (cannula) is inserted through the incisions. The doctor will move the cannula side to side to loosen some of the excess fat from the surrounding tissue. Once the fat is loosened, it’s suctioned out using a syringe or a surgical vacuum. The small incisions are then closed, and sterile dressings are applied.

What Can I Expect From My Liposuction Recovery?

After your liposuction procedure, you will experience some swelling, bruising, and minor discomfort. Over-the-counter pain medication or prescription medication will help alleviate any pain. Once you return home, you should rest and limit your activities for a few days. Light activity is recommended to encourage circulation and prevent blood clots.

You can expect to return to work within a week or two of your procedure, as well as resuming most of your everyday activities. Some exercise is allowed, but you will need to wait to get back to more strenuous exercises until after four weeks with your surgeon’s permission.

Most liposuction patients wear compression garments for several weeks following their liposuction to promote healing, reduce swelling, stimulate skin tightening, and help ensure the best results possible.

Swelling and bruising will gradually decrease, though residual swelling may still be present three to six months after your procedure.

When Will I See My Liposuction Results?

Depending on the treatment area and amount of fat removed, you may see some of your liposuction results immediately after your surgery. Once the majority of the swelling has subsided, your results will be more apparent. In some cases, it may only take four to six weeks to see your results, while for others, it may take up to six months before their final liposuction results are visible.

The fat removal attained with liposuction is permanent, and most patients achieve results that leave them satisfied for years. Once the fat is successfully removed from an area, it cannot grow back. However, you’ll still have fat cells in those areas as well as other body regions. If you gain weight post-procedure, these fat cells can increase in size. Maintaining a stable weight after your liposuction procedure will help ensure your results last for years to come.

Why Choose Dr. Larry Pollack for Liposuction in San Diego?

Dr. Pollack is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing cosmetic and reconstructive procedures in San Diego. His particular interests lie in body contouring procedures, making him an excellent choice for your liposuction procedure. Dr. Pollack’s experience and skill ensure that you will receive the stunning results you desire from your liposuction procedure.

What Are Some Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction?

Since you typically have to go under anesthesia for liposuction, many patients choose to combine additional cosmetic procedures with their liposuction. This saves money, reduces risks, and offers a more impressive reveal for the patient.
Liposuction is often performed in conjunction with body contouring procedures like breast lift surgery, breast augmentation with implants, and tummy tuck surgery. These procedures often make up a Mommy Makeover. Liposuction is also vital to the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) as it removes the necessary augmenting fat.
Liposuction isn’t a weight-loss procedure because it cannot eliminate excessive amounts of weight and is not an alternative to a healthy lifestyle. Instead, it’s considered a body contouring procedure for individuals who are healthy and close to their goal weight—usually within 30 pounds. Liposuction targets those stubborn pockets of fat that can’t seem to shrink, even with a healthy diet and exercise.
If you don’t meet these qualifications, it may be best to lose some weight before considering liposuction.
When you lose weight with traditional weight loss, you shrink the fat cells in a given area (but the number of fat cells present remains the same). With liposuction, you physically remove fat cells from the body.
Additionally, traditional weight loss will allow you to lose weight, but you can’t target where you lose fat. Sure, you can focus on specific exercises that will strengthen and tone your arms or legs, but that doesn’t mean you’ll lose all the fat you wish in those particular areas. Liposuction lets you choose exactly where you want to eliminate excess fat, so you can finally get rid of stubborn fat exactly where you want to.
Depending on the size and number of treatment areas, the average liposuction treatment costs between $5,000 and $10,000.
Yes. Dr. Pollack custom-tailors all of his liposuction procedures. Multiple areas are often treated to achieve the best results possible.
Patients undergoing more minor liposuction treatments can utilize a local anesthetic. However, patients requiring a more extensive procedure may benefit from a general anesthetic.
Yes. Fat transfer uses liposuctioned fat to increase the size or reshape other areas of the body. The Brazilian Butt Lift uses fat harvested via liposuction to restore volume and shape a flat butt. Fat transfer may also be used to reshape the breasts or restore volume to the face.
Just like any surgery, liposuction does come with risks. However, it has been proven to be a safe and effective method of body contouring when performed by a trained and experienced surgeon. Potential complications include:
  • Infection
  • Seroma (fluid accumulation)
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Changes in skin sensation
  • Poor wound healing
  • Irregular contours
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Larry Pollack helps to ensure that your liposuction procedure is performed safely. Contact our office immediately if you experience any side effects that are concerning after surgery.

Before & After

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Interested in Learning More?

Dr. Pollack is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is dedicated to providing patients with safe and effective procedures. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of plastic surgery and looks forward to meeting you. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Pollack, please call our La Jolla practice at 858-450-9100 today.

Body Rejuvenation With Dr. Pollack