Many people with stubborn areas of fat often consider liposuction as an alternative weight loss procedure. 

There is some truth that liposuction does remove weight, but there is much more to it than that. Read on to learn more.

How does Liposuction Work?

Liposuction is a powerful technique to address stubborn areas of fat that are not conducive to weight loss and exercise. 

Many women complain that despite diet and exercise, they continue to experience unwanted fat in problem areas including the abdomen, love handles, arms, legs, neck, or knees. 

The procedure involves the use of small incisions and cannulas to remove excess fat. 

Downtime is minimal and results are gratifying.  

How much weight can you lose with liposuction?

This question is tricky. While some patients may lose a few pounds, that is not the goal of liposuction. The purpose of liposuction is body sculpting and improving physical physique, not weight loss.

Usually, the maximum amount of fat that is suctioned out is the equivalent of around 5-8 pounds. It is not recommended to have more than 4-5L of liposuction performed in one surgical procedure, and as more is done the risk of complication increases. 

If multiple treatment areas are desired and the overall amount of liposuction is > 5 L, the procedure should be broken down into 2 separate surgeries spaced about 12 weeks apart.

Therefore, patients should not expect to lose a dramatic amount of weight with liposuction. However, because fat is removed from cosmetically important areas, liposuction can produce significant improvements in the way you look and feel in clothing. 

Are the results permanent? Will fat cells grow back? 

After liposuction, you will be placed in a medical-grade compression garment and your surgeon will give you instructions on how to care for your new body. 

If you adhere to your instructions and do not experience a dramatic weight gain, your body’s shape is more or less permanent. 

If you do gain weight after liposuction, then your figure will simply be a larger version of the new body shape. However, the dramatic results you initially saw will be less defining.

Liposuction removes fat cells permanently. However, with an increase in weight, new fat cells can develop in all areas of the body, including previously treated liposuction areas.

That being said, the degree of fat deposits re-growing in a previously treated liposuction area is less than in untreated areas. 

What age-related changes should I experience if I remain weight-stable?

No. If you stay around the same weight, then you should not expect fat cells to redeposit in the area previously treated. 

However, it is natural for the body’s fat deposits to change gradually with age and fluctuations in hormones. However, the results of successful liposuction should remain visible. 

Will I see my results right away?

The majority of patients will see their final results 8-12 weeks after their procedure. Most patients have swelling and bruising that resolves within a few weeks of surgery.

Which is a better choice for me, Liposuction or a Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty)

Liposuction is a noninvasive (no skin incision and no long scars) procedure that focuses on removal of fat cells, but does not address excess skin. 

Liposuction is intended for individuals with good skin elasticity so the skin can “bounce back” after the procedure. For individuals with excess skin, a Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) or total body lift may be a better option.

Liposuction does not address abdominal wall laxity or diastasis recti. 

However, it is considered a body contouring procedure as it will accentuate feminine features such as a thin waistline and hourglass silhouette. It is used to sculpt, or fine-tune, certain treatment areas that do not respond to a healthy lifestyle.

In some patients, it is safe to combine liposuction with an abdominoplasty, depending on where excess fat resides.

We offer a variety of surgical and nonsurgical services in our office.  

Dr. Parcells is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New Jersey. She is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States every year. Women typically desire this procedure to improve their breast size and shape. 

What is breast augmentation?

There is a lot to understand about the type of breast implants (silicone or saline), where they are placed (above or under the muscle), placement of scars.

Additionally, a breast augmentation can be combined with a breast lift or mastopexy. This surgery changes the shape of your breasts, but it doesn’t alter the size.

How to find a surgeon

The most important part of considering breast augmentation is choosing the right surgeon. Make sure you see a board-certified plastic surgeon. 

Ask questions about your procedure and make sure you feel comfortable with your surgeon of choice 

Surgeons website to find a board-certified plastic surgeon near you.

And while preoperative planning is important to optimize your surgery, recovery is just as essential to ensure an excellent outcome. 

How long is a full recovery?

In general, full recovery from a breast augmentation can take on average 6 weeks. Each person is different, so for specifics make sure you talk to your board-certified plastic surgeon. 

Let’s break down the recovery into a few stages so you can better understand how to prepare.

Acute Recovery:

This period is usually immediately post-operation. 

Your breast will be wrapped and you will be transported to the recovery room, where you will likely feel groggy and sore. 

At this point, your surgeon may elect to give you a local numbing pain block to improve any discomfort you are experiencing and reduce narcotic use. This typically lasts around 12 hours. 

Because you have just woken up from anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you overnight.

The first 3 to 5 days

The first few days after surgery are the most uncomfortable.  

Your surgeon will recommend instructions on how often to take antibiotics and muscle relaxants or pain medications for the first few days after your procedure.

Ideally, any strong narcotic medications should be discontinued within the first few days since they cause constipation and prolonged use can lead to a longer recovery.  

While some patients report pain, most patients experience tightness or muscle aching at this time. 

This can be in the breasts, shoulders, neck, and back. These symptoms are best controlled with a muscle relaxant such as Valium. For most women, this sensation resolves over the next 3 to 5 days.

You will also have instructions on how to care for your incision and what bra or garments to wear.

Bruising, swelling, and minor bleeding from the site is all normal. If something does not feel right, call your doctor.

1 week

By this time, you should have minimal discomfort that can be managed with over-the-counter medications.  

You should be seen by your surgeon within this time frame, and most women are able to resume light daily activities. Women who work at desk jobs are usually fine to return to work and drive. Many physicians encourage a few short walks 1-2 times a day. 

Next few weeks

During this time, you will start to feel like yourself again and get back into your routine. 

It’s important to note that your wound heals approximately 10% per week and so most doctors do not recommend resuming an exercise routine, especially upper extremity focused workouts, until about 4-6 weeks after surgery. 

Additionally, patients with labor-intensive jobs may have to wait 3-4 weeks after their procedure before returning.

If you have a physically demanding job, you’ll need to be out of work for 3 weeks or more. You’ll also need to avoid heavy lifting and intense physical activities, like running.

2 months

After about 2 months, your physician should assess your healing and clear you for all normal activities. 

It's vital to follow your doctor's care instructions closely so that your breast implants heal properly and there are no complications.

Possible complications  

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure, and every procedure has potential risks. Complications can include

• Unsightly scars

• infections

• bleeding problems, like blood loss. 

• Asymmetries between your breasts

• Implant malposition

• Breast and nipple pain or numbness

• Poor cosmetic result 

• breast cellulitis

• breasts appear to merge (symmastia)

• skin dimpling or visibility of the implant 

• scarring around the implant 

• implant leak or break

• breastfeeding problems

• breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma  

• breast implant illness 

Tips for recovery

There are things you can do in order to avoid complications and enhance your recovery experience. 

Make sure you discuss all concerns with your physician before the surgery. 

Follow instructions regarding medication frequency and duration, wear your surgical garments as instructed, and avoid activities that your physician discourages. 

Ask friends and family to help. Prepare healthy meals ahead of time and take the rest you need to heal well. 

Interested in trying Botox? A Juvéderm filler? A laser resurfacing procedure? 

You may want to see a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for that.

Individuals seeking out a cosmetic procedure often assume that cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgeons have the same training and that the word plastic and cosmetic are interchangeable. 

This is misleading, confusing, and can even be dangerous. 

As a board-certified Plastic surgeon, I often refer to my practice as a mix of reconstructive (i.e. breast reconstruction) and cosmetic, because I’ve had extensive training in both. 

However, properly Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons do not refer to themselves as “cosmetic surgeons.”

What is Plastic Surgery?

The goal of plastic surgery is to restore the form (appearance) and function to a damaged area of the body. 

Plastic surgeons use a variety of techniques to move healthy tissue to an area affected by a birth defect, burn, traumatic injury, tumor, or other condition. Some plastic surgeons may focus on congenital defects (cleft lips), hand trauma, breast reconstruction, as well as cosmetic surgery.

What is Cosmetic Surgery?

Cosmetic Surgery is a combination of nonsurgical and surgical techniques to enhance appearance. Examples include facelifts, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, and Botox or Juvéderm fillers. 

What’s the difference between a Plastic Surgeon vs a Cosmetic Surgeon?

Legally, any physician with a valid medical license can perform cosmetic procedures, regardless of their training. I know, this is unbelievable. However, because of a number of factors - including declining insurance reimbursement and stress of keeping a practice financially secure - many physicians are looking towards elective cash-based procedures to survive.  

Several organizations have established “cliffs notes-type” courses with the goal of training these physicians in the same procedures that I, as a Plastic Surgeon, was trained to due over 6 years in my residency. 

Think about it: an emergency room physician with no surgical training goes to take a 2 week “crash course” on breast augmentation and is now ready to advertise as a cosmetic surgeon. 

And while your OB/GYN is offering you Botox or filler after a weekend training in cosmetic surgery, he or she may not be offering the best treatment, nor be able to handle complications (because OB/GYNs did not have focused training in facial anatomy). Scary, right?

On the flip side, a board-certified plastic surgeon would be able to offer the full scope of cosmetic options and let you know what works best for your body and your desires because we have been specifically trained to do so, without any shortcuts. Expertise cannot be achieved with a quick weekend course.

What does it take to become a board-certified plastic surgeon?

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In order to become a board-certified plastic surgeon, an individual must complete 

1. Four years of medical education and obtain a medical degree (MD or DO) 

2. A minimum of 6 years of accredited surgical residency training with at least 3 years of education dedicated to cosmetic and reconstructive surgery

3. Pass both written and oral examinations. At this point, he/she is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

4. Remain in good ethical standing within their community and the board, as well as routinely participate in continuing medical education (CME) on the latest innovations and abide by up-to-date patient safety recommendations.

What if my doctor says he/she is Board Certified in Cosmetic Surgery?

At this time, there is no formal certification in Cosmetic Surgery and so anyone claiming to be board certified in this area is actually recognized only by a self-created organization (American Board of Cosmetic Surgery) and not an official licensing board by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

In this situation, I encourage you to ask him or her a few more questions.  Ask about his/her background training (what is he really certified in), ask him/her how many of these specific procedures he has performed, and ask him/her how many years he/she has been practicing.  You might be surprised at what he/she says…and even more by what he/she does not.

How do I know if my surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery?

Check online, and if in doubt, as your potential surgeon which board they are certified in. 

How do I find a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon? 

You can easily find a list of local board-certified plastic surgeons by visiting the American Board of Plastic Surgery website.

When meeting with your surgeon, ask which board (i.e. Internal Medicine vs. Plastic Surgery) she or he is certified in

Lastly, If the surgeon routinely does procedures within an office operating room, as them where they have privileges. A reputable hospital will only accredit a board-certified plastic surgeon.

At the end of the day, it’s your body. And when it comes to your time, energy, and money, you should do the proper background research to ensure you are in the best hands.