Liposuction

Local expertise for natural body sculpting

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the country, but it’s often misunderstood. Many people view it as a solution for obesity, while it’s actually a tool for reshaping your body to give you the look and confidence you desire.  

Our expert surgeons at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana, use liposuction as a precise procedure to remove stubborn fat deposits that haven’t responded to diet and exercise.  

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery to sculpt the body by removing excess fat from specific areas. Areas commonly treated with liposuction include the abdomen (belly), arms, buttocks, hips, neck, and thighs.  

For some people, liposuction is also performed as part of a more extensive plastic surgery, such as a tummy tuck or breast reduction, to achieve the desired results.

In many cases, liposuction is performed for cosmetic reasons, but it can also be used to treat certain medical conditions, such as gynecomastia and lipomas (fatty tumors). 

Types of liposuction

Plastic surgeons use different types of liposuction techniques.

Suction-assisted liposuction is the traditional method. During the procedure, a surgeon moves a small, hollow tool called a cannula back and forth to break up and loosen fat. Then, they use a vacuum to suction the fat cells out of the body.  

Other, more advanced liposuction techniques include:

• Power-assisted liposuction: This is similar to suction-assisted liposuction, but the surgeon uses a vibrating cannula to break up fat more easily.
• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction: During this type, a plastic surgeon uses sound waves to liquefy fat cells before they are removed.
• Laser-assisted liposuction: This method uses laser energy to liquefy fat.

Regardless of the technique used, your plastic surgeon carefully removes just the right amount of fat to ensure a smooth, natural-looking result. 

Benefits of liposuction

The benefits of liposuction go beyond an improved physical appearance. Removing excess fat can help:

• Boost your self-confidence: You might regain your self-confidence with a more sculpted shape and more proportionate figure.
• Improve mobility: Liposuction helps make it easier to move and do your daily activities. It reduces chafing and bulk in certain areas of the body.
• Motivate you to live a healthy lifestyle: After liposuction, you may feel more motivated to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain the results. 

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

Your plastic surgeon will want you to understand what liposuction can and cannot do before you proceed. The decision to have the procedure is highly personal and should be made with all the knowledge available.

Liposuction is a body sculpting tool, not a weight-loss solution. It cannot improve your health the way a healthy diet and exercise can. It also won’t help you achieve the “perfect” body or completely change your body type or shape.  

It can, however, help you achieve a more proportional shape, improve how your clothes fit, and, in general, help you feel better about your appearance.

In addition to understanding its benefits and limitations, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends the procedure for people who:

• Are within 30% of their ideal weight
• Are in good general health  
• Don’t smoke or are willing to quit:
• Have firm, elastic skin  
• Have localized fat deposits that haven’t responded to a healthy diet and regular exercise

During your consultation, our plastic surgeon will review your medical history and discuss your goals to determine if you’re a good candidate. If you smoke or have other health conditions, they can also help create a plan to address those issues, so you can be healthy enough for surgery. 

Risks and considerations

Every surgery has risks, and we believe it's important to discuss them openly. Your safety is our top priority, and we’ll make sure to go over any potential risks and considerations with you in detail before your procedure.

• Anesthesia risks: Anesthesia can cause allergic reactions, headaches, dizziness, and confusion.
• Blood clots: In rare instances, blood clots can form and might lead to serious complications.
• Bruising and swelling: These are common side effects and will gradually go away during the recovery period.
• Irregularities: Your skin might appear lumpy or wavy because of uneven fat removal or poor skin elasticity.
• Infection: Although uncommon, an infection could develop at the incision site.
• Internal damage: This is an extremely rare but serious risk where the cannula might accidentally damage an internal organ, nerve, blood vessel, or muscle.
• Numbness: You might experience temporary or, in rare cases, permanent changes in skin sensation.
• Skin necrosis: Very rarely, the skin in the treated area could die. 

What to expect during a liposuction procedure 

The liposuction procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting, meaning you can go home the same day.  

During the surgery, your surgeon makes a small incision in a discreet location and uses a cannula or other technology to break up and suction the fat. The length of your procedure depends on the amount of fat removed and number of areas treated, but it might take a few hours. 

Recovery

Before you leave the hospital, your team will give you a comprehensive postsurgical discharge plan to help address concerns you might have in the hours and days after your liposuction surgery.

You’ll likely experience some swelling, bruising, and soreness in the treated areas. You can manage this with medication, if needed.

Pockets of fluid (seromas) will naturally occur after liposuction. They usually resolve within a few days, but some people develop larger seromas that your surgeon may need to drain. Your surgeon will let you know what to look for if seromas don’t drain.

Your surgeon will likely ask you to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help reduce swelling and support the new body contours. You can purchase compression garments from our Home Medical Equipment store.  

You can usually return to light activities and work within a few weeks, and you should follow your provider's instructions for recovery to ensure a smooth healing process. The full results of the liposuction surgery will become visible over the course of several months as the swelling goes down and the skin settles. 

Why choose Reid Health for liposuction? 

At Reid Health, our commitment to personalized care and your safety sets us apart. Our board-certified plastic surgeon is highly skilled and has extensive experience in a variety of liposuction techniques. We offer a compassionate, supportive environment from your first consultation through your entire recovery. When you choose Reid Health, you’re choosing a trusted provider for your body sculpting journey, right here in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio.