Liposuction

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Boston, MA

Liposuction is a popular surgical procedure that helps to improve the shape and contour of the body by removing excess fat in specific areas. Many people turn to liposuction when they have trouble losing stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. This procedure can help enhance a person’s appearance, which may lead to increased confidence and improved self-image.

JL Plastic Surgery in Boston offers liposuction—also known as liposculpture or simply “lipo”— for patients with stubborn bulges of fat that are difficult to get rid of with dieting and exercise. Liposuction can be used to reduce excess bulk and give the treated areas a slimmer and more toned appearance.

If you would like to explore how you can benefit from a liposuction treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Lee today. Dr. Lee is one of Boston’s most trusted liposuction specialists and is known to deliver impressive body-contouring results.

If you have any questions or would prefer to schedule an appointment over the phone, please do not hesitate to call our Boston office at (617) 340-2822.

Before and After Photos

Liposuction Before & After Patient #1645
Liposuction Before & After Patient #1645
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About Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical fat removal procedure that reduces the volume of fat in a targeted area of the body. It is particularly useful in stubborn areas that always seem to remain no matter how much a patient works on diet and exercise. (1) It is also commonly combined with other procedures to enhance the overall result, such as liposuction in multiple areas or in conjunction with excisional procedures to remove excess skin abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).

Liposuction is often described as “suction-assisted fat removal.” This means that small tubes, known as cannulas, are inserted beneath the skin to suction out unwanted fat from targeted areas of the body. (1) Liposuction is one of the most common body contouring procedures performed worldwide and offers patients an effective way to achieve a more defined figure. (1) People seek liposuction treatments for many reasons, but the most common is to reduce stubborn pockets of fat that persist after weight loss. In turn, this helps them live their lives with increased confidence.

Liposuction is commonly performed on the:

Benefits

Liposuction offers many benefits for individuals who want to sculpt their bodies. At JL Plastic Surgery, our patients typically experience:

  • Effective fat removal: Liposuction provides the ability to sculpt stubborn pockets of fat that do not respond to diet or exercise.
  • Enhanced body contour: Patients can achieve a smoother, more aesthetically pleasing profile by reshaping those stubborn fat deposits.
  • Increased confidence: Many patients experience a boost in self-esteem after achieving a more defined figure.
  • Long-lasting results: When combined with a healthy lifestyle, the results from liposuction can last for many years.
  • Targeted treatment: Liposuction allows for precise targeting of areas of concern, preserving surrounding tissues.
  • Minimal scarring: The incisions made during the procedure are small, and any scarring is often inconspicuous.

Candidates

If you experience stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to exercise, dieting, and other methods of weight loss, then you may be an ideal candidate for a liposuction treatment. Ideal candidates also have good skin quality and minimal amounts of excess skin. If you do have excess skin hanging around your abdomen, then you may want to incorporate an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) into your treatment plan.

Candidates should also be in good overall health, have realistic expectations for their results, and be willing to collaborate with Dr. Lee to plan their ideal treatment.

Personal Consultation

An initial consultation is an important first step in your liposuction treatment. This appointment is your opportunity to discuss your goals for your treatment, your past attempts at reducing your frustrating fat deposits, and to explore the options available to you. With this information, Dr. Lee will create a plan that is personalized to your goals and your medical status. Your medical history will also be reviewed at this consultation.

Preparation

We recommend following our preparation recommendations to optimize your results. These may include:

  • Fast after midnight the night before your procedure if you require general anesthesia
  • Avoid blood-thinning medications and red wine
  • Arrange transportation to and from your procedure
  • Schedule time off of work and other commitments for recovery

Procedure

Liposuction typically takes 30-45 minutes per body area. There are various ways of performing liposuction, but all methods use the tumescent liposuction technique. (2) This technique utilizes a tumescent fluid containing a local anesthetic, epinephrine, and a bicarbonate buffer that is infused into the fat before liposuction. This both increases safety by minimizing blood loss and internally numbing the treatment area.

Dr. Lee will make a small incision into the skin. The tumescent solution is then injected into the fatty tissue. Once this takes effect, Dr. Lee inserts a small metal rod, a cannula, into the body. This rod has holes on the end and is connected to a suction pump.

Some liposuction procedures incorporate radiofrequency energy. This can help the skin contract over to take better shape of its underlying contour.

Once the desired reduction and contours are achieved, your incisions will be sutured and, following a monitoring period, you will be dismissed to begin your recovery at home.

Recovery

Liposuction recovery typically involves 3-4 days of mild discomfort. You will receive prescriptions for pain medications to mitigate this, and these should be taken as instructed. We recommend that patients take at least a week off of work to recover.

You will be required to wear a compression garment for 3-4 weeks to maintain consistent pressure on your treatment areas. Exercise and more strenuous activities should be avoided for the first 2 weeks. After this time, you can slowly and carefully ease into your normal routines. If you have any questions during your recovery, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office so we can assist you.

Results

Though you may see some of the results of your liposuction immediately after your procedure, the official results will most likely be obscured by initial swelling. This will naturally fade over the first week and slowly reveal a more contoured physique.

Your permanent results may take up to 6 months to fully appear. Liposuction treatments permanently remove fat cells from your body, so there is no risk of them returning. However, surrounding fat cells can swell and expand into treated areas, so it is important to stick to healthy dieting and exercise habits after your procedure to maintain your new silhouette.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Many patients, especially those who have undergone a significant weight loss journey, will combine a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure with their liposuction treatment. Due to the way that the skin stretches during weight gain, these patients may also have significant amounts of excess skin around their waist and abdomen after undergoing weight loss. This issue occurs in other areas as well, such as the thighs, arms, breasts, and even the face. At JL Plastic Surgery, we offer the procedures that can address each of these individual areas with an arm lift For patients who want to address multiple areas of loose skin, a body lift offers a more comprehensive approach.

Cost of Liposuction in Boston

Liposuction procedures are different for each patient. When you meet with Dr. Lee to discuss your goals, you will receive a cost estimate. The price of our liposuction treatments starts at $6,000, but this may change depending on your goals and medical status. JL Plastic Surgery also offers financing plans through PatientFi and Care Credit. If you have questions about setting this up or need other information about prices, payments, procedures, or more, please call our Boston office at (617) 340-2822.

FAQ

Is liposuction a weight loss solution?

No, liposuction is not meant for significant weight loss. It is a body contouring procedure aimed at removing localized fat deposits.

How long does it take to recover from liposuction?

Recovery time varies, but many patients return to light activities within a week. More strenuous activities should generally be avoided for at least four weeks.

Can liposuction be combined with other cosmetic procedures?

Yes, many patients choose to combine liposuction with other procedures such as tummy tucks or breast augmentations for enhanced results.

Are there any risks associated with liposuction?

Like any surgical procedure, liposuction carries risks such as infection, irregular contours, and blood clots. Discussing these with Dr. Lee during your consultation can help to alleviate concerns.

What is the best age to have liposuction?

There is no specific “best age” for liposuction, but candidates should be physically healthy and able to undergo safe surgery.

References

  1. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
  2. Wu S, Coombs DM, Gurunian R. Liposuction: Concepts, safety, and techniques in body-contouring surgery. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2020;87(6):367-375. doi:https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.87a.19097