What to expect
- Average Time: Two to three hours
- Anesthesia: Local or general, dependent on area of body
- Am I a good candidate? Adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone, committed to a healthy lifestyle
- Recovery: Recovery instructions will be given to you post-surgery.
- Risks: Bleeding, infection, poor healing, uneven body contours, and anesthesia risks
- Inpatient/Outpatient: Outpatient
- Cost: The cost of the procedure will be discussed at your consultation with Dr. Peterson.
Liposuction can help remove unwanted deposits of fat on the thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, back, chest, cheeks, calves, or ankles. The procedure is minimally invasive, and either on its own or in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures, it can help patients find the body they’ve always wanted.
Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss. In fact, it is only an appropriate solution for adults who are within a 30 percent range of their ideal weight. If large amounts of fat are being removed from the body, additional procedures may be necessary to remove excess skin. Dr. Peterson will be happy to discuss what procedures and methods are possible to help you achieve your desired shape.
Surgery Details
Dr. Peterson will perform a liposuction procedure through small, inconspicuous incisions. A sterile anesthetic solution will be used to treat the area before a cannula, or thin hollow tube, is inserted through the incisions and used to loosen the fat that is to be removed from the underlying tissue. This fat is then removed from the body, either by vacuum suction or by a syringe attached to the cannula.
Swelling may last for several months, and as swelling begins to wane, the new contour of the surgery site will become more apparent. While the surgery is technically permanent, weight gain can reverse the effects of liposuction, and the procedure is best paired with a healthy lifestyle.