Liposuction: One of Dr. Sobel’s Favorite Procedures. What Should You Expect Before, During, and After:

Posted January 30, 2014 by

I confess that I love liposuction. This is not because I think it is a good way to make overweight people smaller nor is it because I think we need to have perfect figures. My justification includes the following observations after having performed several THOUSAND liposuction and laser liposuction procedures:

  1. Liposuction is the most cost-effective way of contouring the human body. Boasting a relatively low cost, typically no need for general anesthesia, and a very quick return to work, while affording the ability to remove several liters of fat from the patient at a time, liposuction is an incredible body sculpting tool.

  2. Liposuction combines well with fat grafting procedures, including fat grafting to the breast, the buttocks (the Brazilian Butt lift), and the face. It also goes well with skin removal procedures such as Arm Lift (brachioplasty), Thigh Lift, Breast Lift, Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty), Face Lift, and Neck Lift.

  3. Laser liposuction or Thermage combined with liposuction affords increased skin tightening.

  4. Discomfort is minimal. Most of my patients take a relaxing medication, such as Xanax or Valium, a pain pill such as Vicodin and Percocet, and the tumescent anesthesia (numbing medicine) takes care of the rest. Indeed, many patients take no pain medication at all.

  5. The patient is awake. My patients love this. I let them choose what they would like to listen to on Pandora radio or I have them plug their MP3 device in. I enjoy having conversations with my patients while performing their body contouring (this is certainly not to my distraction whatsoever). Further, with the patient awake, I am allowed the ability to best position them for the procedure to accomplish very PRECISE body contouring.

  6. Liposuction is elegant and gentle. I use a Microaire power-assisted device to remove fat. This device is a lot like a Sonicare toothbrush that gently vibrates the fat into a suspension and removes it permanently.

  7. Tumescent anesthesia (numbing medicine) allows for almost no bleeding, minimal to moderate bruising, reduced risk of infection (RARE in liposuction), and a comfortable procedure and recovery. I enjoy this form of anesthesia so much that I have applied it to Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction, Arm Lift (brachioplasty), Thigh Lift, Breast Lift, Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty), Face Lift, and Neck Lift.

  8. Liposuction makes patients very happy! My satisfaction and comfort scores are very, very high.

Here is what to expect before, during, and after your procedure:

Before:

  1. Please visit for a complimentary, confidential consultation. You will explain your goals and concerns and we will discuss your options and opportunities.

  2. You will arrive for your procedure in comfortable clothing with a caregiver. We will have you take a relaxing medication like Xanax, a pain pill, an anti-nausea medication, and an antibiotic.

  3. Once you feel drowsy and relaxed, we will bring you to the procedure room, kept at a balmy 76 degrees and turn on the music of your choice.

During:

  1. After cleansing your skin, I will use a local anesthetic to numb just a few sites for the liposuction cannula. The poke holes will be typically 4 mm in length.

  2. I will place an infusion cannula (like a water sprinkler) under the skin to gently instill A LOT of numbing medication.

  3. Once the medication is in and active, I use a vibrating cannula to gently put the fat into suspension and remove it permanently.

  4. You will be asked to move and reposition periodically to afford optimal, precise contouring.

  5. At the close of the procedure, we will put you in a compression garment (much like Spanx).

After:

  1. You will have moderate drainage of the numbing fluid and pads will collect this. You may shower in 24 hours.

  2. You will be required to walk 30 minutes, three times a day starting the day after the procedure.

  3. You may return to work after you have ceased narcotic pain medications (typically in under 72 hours). Light aerobic activity starts at 2-3 weeks with heavier exercise to follow depending on the areas you desire to treat.

  4. You will wear a form of compression garment for six weeks

The procedure itself takes about 90 minutes. Some swelling persists for six months and final results are seen in approximately one year. However, typically patients are very pleased with their results at 6-12 weeks if not sooner.

Common areas for patients to have liposuction include:

  • Abdomen – upper and lower Liposuction Before and After Photo - Anderson Sobel Cosmetic Surgery

  • Waist

  • Hips

  • Thighs – inner and outer

  • Arms

  • Knees – inner

  • Pubic area

  • Sacrum and low back

  • Back bra rolls

  • Front bra rolls

  • Calves and ankles

  • Posterior thigh, infragluteal fold (“banana roll”)

  • Neck

  • Upper back (“Buffalo Hump”)

  • Jowls

Liposuction is an incredibly common procedure and a powerful and enjoyable aspect of my cosmetic surgery practice. It is incredibly useful as a stand-alone procedure and often indispensable when combined with other techniques.

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