Video | What is Liposuction? | Pre-Op | Surgery | Recovery | Cost

The ability to spot reduce fat in a specific area of your body has been debated for years. In my last blog post, I shared a study that got results spot reducing abdominal fat through intense exercise. 

But what do you do if intense exercise is not a realistic option for you or your stubborn fat area is elsewhere on your body?

There is a procedure called liposuction that effectively spot reduces fat. 

I had the opportunity to sit down with a surgeon who specializes in liposuction and ask him about what goes into preparing for it, the procedure itself, the recovery process, and the cost. Here’s what I learned. 

I Met With A Liposuction Doctor. Here’s What I Learned (Video)

In this video, you’ll learn…

• The goal of Liposuction.
• What the procedure and recovery entail.
• The general costs of Liposuction.

What is Liposuction?

The prefix lipo means fat, so liposuction is literally the suctioning of fat from the body. It is done in different ways. The doctor I spoke with performed tumescent liposuction. 

With this method, a large volume of saline solution mixed with an anesthetic and epinephrine is injected into the target area. This solution helps numb the area, reduce bleeding, and swell the fat cells, making them easier to remove through suction. 

Tumescent liposuction is the most common technique due to its safety, effectiveness, and minimal recovery time. It is an outpatient procedure, and unlike more traditional forms of liposuction, it does not require general anesthesia. However, it is still a surgical procedure, carrying some risks. Complications are rare but include infection, numbness, blood clots, seromas, loose skin, or irregularity (i.e., lumpiness or dimpling).

I would also add that body image is a consideration when cosmetic surgery is discussed.

There are valid arguments on both sides of this issue that are important to reflect on. However, that discussion is far beyond the scope of this blog post. I hope you find this post unique and interesting; it is intended for informational purposes only.

Pre-Op

Because this is a surgery, there is a pre-op evaluation that includes a physical exam and possibly lab tests to ensure the patient is medically and physically suited for surgery. Since this is a cosmetic procedure, the patient is photographed to provide a before-and-after comparison.

The patient will also be marked to make it clear which areas will be targeted. This is an important cost factor because liposuction is split into different areas, each with its own cost. So, for example, the upper and lower abdomen and love handles may be considered separate targets even though they are in the same general area of the body. 

Before the procedure, the surgeon will talk with the patient to ensure that expectations are realistic. One thing that was emphasized was that this is not intended to be a weight loss surgery. It is a contouring surgery. To qualify for the procedure, patients must be within 30% of a normal BMI and have maintained a stable weight for 6 to 12 months. 

The total amount of fat that can be removed with tumescent liposuction is about 2 to 4 liters, equivalent to about 5 to 8 pounds. Traditional liposuction can remove more fat but is limited to 10 liters (about 20 pounds of fat and water) and may require a hospital stay. 

Granted, once fat cells are removed, they do not come back, so this is a permanent spot reduction treatment. However, the fat cells that remain in the area and the fatty tissue in the surrounding regions continue to store fat.

That is why it is important to keep a steady weight after liposuction because the added fat will go somewhere else on your body, which could lead to a disproportionate distribution of fat. 

If the surgeon validates the patient’s suitability and addresses the patient’s concerns at the conclusion of the pre-op visit, a surgery date is scheduled. 

Liposuction Surgery

With tumescent liposuction, the patient remains awake during the entire process but may be given a calming medication. Antibiotics are also started to reduce the risk of developing an infection related to the surgery.

The first step is to inject the numbing solution into the target area. The incisions required to administer the fluid are small enough not to require sutures, which helps with recovery. However, the procedure requires a lot of fluid. 

I was told that for the abdomen, for instance, it could be as much as 3 liters of fluid. After the surgery, that fluid must exit the body, which requires some post-surgery care that we’ll discuss. 

The actual removal of the fat is done using a cannula, which is a thin tube that is connected to a vacuum-like machine. The surgeon uses back-and-forth movements to remove the fat, which is sucked through the tube into a sterile receptacle. The entire procedure takes about three to four hours. 

When the procedure is completed, the surgical team wraps the patient in tight compression bandages, and the patient is sent home to recover.

Recovery

When the patient gets home, they are encouraged to walk, and most people can return to work within a few days. Strenuous exercise is not recommended for a few weeks post-surgery. 

Pain, bruising, and swelling are expected during those first few days. However, this is minimized due to the anesthetic solution used during the tumescent procedure.

I mentioned that the injected solution must drain out of the body. That drainage continues for a few days after the surgery and could discolor clothing or furniture if it comes in contact with it. So, it is a common recommendation to buy a plastic shower curtain liner to place on the bed for the first couple of nights. They recommend using maxi pads to cover the surgical holes that drain the fluid to protect clothing. Patients can shower the day after surgery.

After the first few days, the focus shifts to ensuring smooth results. Before the surgery, patients are measured and fitted for a compressive garment that must be worn for a few weeks. This garment mustn’t have any creases or wrinkles because those issues can cause dimpling and asymmetry that may become permanent. This also applies to tight clothing, which should be avoided for weeks after the surgery. 

Most patients see results within a couple of weeks, but it can take three to six months to see the full benefits. A series of follow-up visits will be scheduled to ensure proper healing (i.e., 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months). 

Cost

How much does this cost? The answer depends on the number of areas targeted. As I mentioned, liposuction is split into different areas, each with its own price. 

The amount will vary depending on the provider, but it is approximately $1,700 per target area. There is also a surgical fee, which, again, will vary, but may add about $2,500 to the total cost. And, this is an elective surgery, so there is no insurance coverage.

Takeaway

I hope you found this information unique and interesting. Liposuction is, by definition, the removal of fat from specific areas of the body. This blog post is part two of my two-part series on spot reduction. On my blog, you’ll find part one describing how much exercise it takes to spot reduce belly fat.

About the Author

Becky Gillaspy, DC, is the author of The Intermittent Fasting Guide and Cookbook and Zero Sugar / One Month. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with research honors from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1991.