Some areas of fat are more stubborn than others. Even if you’ve lost weight overall, fat deposits under the chin, on the abdomen, or around the thighs can stick around and affect the shape of your body. Liposuction can target these specific areas, helping to reduce unwanted fat and refine your overall contours.
At Tarola Plastic Surgery in Murfreesboro, TN, Dr. Nicholas Tarola uses advanced techniques to perform liposuction. These methods are designed to make the process smoother for effective results with minimized downtime. With an emphasis on patient comfort and safety, we strive to make both the procedure and recovery as efficient and comfortable as possible.
Transforming Stubborn Fat With Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical method that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body where it tends to linger despite healthy habits. This technique involves targeting fat cells beneath the skin using tools that sculpt and refine the treated areas. It addresses stubborn fat deposits almost anywhere on the body.
What Areas Can Liposuction Treat?
- Thighs and Hips: Fat around the thighs and hips can often be attributed to genetics or hormonal influences. Liposuction can address this by creating a more proportional and balanced lower body shape.
- Buttocks and Waist: Excess fat in the buttocks and waist can result from a sedentary lifestyle or natural body structure. Removing fat in these areas can help define the waistline and enhance the midsection for a smoother silhouette.
- Abdomen: Excess fat around the stomach may persist even after weight loss, often due to age, genetics, or pregnancy. Stomach liposuction targets this stubborn fat for a flatter stomach that looks more toned.
- Upper Arms: Fat in the upper arms can create a sagging appearance that weight loss strategies are often ineffective at treating. Arm liposuction eliminates these fat deposits and enhances the shape of your arms.
- Back and Inner Knees: Stubborn fat on the back or around the inner knees can accumulate with age. Liposuction can refine your profile and smooth out unwanted bulges.
- Cheeks, Chin, and Neck: Excess fat in the cheeks, chin, or neck can create the appearance of a double chin or undefined jawline, often unrelated to overall weight. Neck liposuction can highlight the natural structure of the face and improve the transition between the neck and jaw.
What Are the Benefits of Liposuction?
Improved Proportions
Fat deposits that accumulate unevenly can disrupt the natural balance of your body’s contours. By removing stubborn fat from specific areas, liposuction brings harmony to your overall shape. This can create smoother transitions between areas like the thighs and hips or the abdomen and waist and help your body to appear more proportionate.
Significant Results
When lifestyle changes fall short of addressing problem areas, this treatment offers a noticeable difference. The liposuction procedure directly removes fat from targeted regions and offers results that are measurable and transformative. These results appear quickly after the swelling subsides, making it easier to see and appreciate the changes.
Minimal Scarring
Modern surgical techniques are designed to minimize scarring, leaving only small, discreet marks. The incisions used during a liposuction procedure are strategically placed and typically heal quickly and efficiently. This allows you to enjoy refined contours without the concern of prominent scars.
Motivation for a Healthier Lifestyle
Seeing physical changes can be a powerful motivator for maintaining or improving healthy habits. Many patients find that after treatment, they are more inspired to stick to balanced diets and regular exercise routines. This focus helps sustain the results of liposuction while promoting overall well-being.
Long-Lasting Results
The fat cells removed during treatment do not regenerate, which means the results can last indefinitely with proper care. While maintaining a stable weight is important, the areas treated with liposuction are far less likely to accumulate fat again. The procedure is a reliable way to reshape the body with lasting effects.
Why We Use the Tumescent Method for Liposuction
The tumescent method improves the safety and precision of liposuction. This method refers to the practice of injecting a solution that combines lidocaine, epinephrine, and intravenous liquid before the fat is removed through suction. Lidocaine acts as a local anesthetic, numbing the treated area to minimize discomfort during and after the procedure. Epinephrine constricts blood vessels to reduce bleeding and swelling while also helping to create a clearer surgical field for precise fat removal. The intravenous liquid used in the tumescent technique expands the targeted tissues and makes fat cells easier to remove while reducing trauma to surrounding areas. Tumescent liposuction decreases downtime and promotes faster healing.
Good Candidates for Liposuction
General Eligibility Criteria
Liposuction is most effective for those with specific areas of stubborn fat that resist traditional weight loss methods like diet and exercise. Candidates should be in good overall health and close to their ideal body weight since the procedure is designed for contouring, not weight loss. Having firm, elastic skin can also help achieve smoother results after treatment.
More Factors to Consider
It’s important to recognize that liposuction is not a solution for significant weight loss or obesity. Candidates should approach the procedure with realistic expectations, understanding that it can improve their shape but not necessarily their overall weight. Individuals with allergies to lidocaine or medications used during the process may not be suitable candidates. Patients should also be prepared for downtime after the procedure and make sure ahead of time that their schedule can accommodate the recovery period for optimal healing.
What to Expect During Liposuction Surgery
The process begins with anesthesia which may involve general or local options depending on the treatment plan. Once the targeted areas are identified and marked, small incisions are made to access the underlying fat. Tumescent fluid is introduced to further numb the area and prepare the fat for removal. A thin, hollow tube called a cannula is inserted and carefully moved back and forth beneath the skin to loosen the fat, which is suctioned out.
What to Expect During Liposuction Recovery
Swelling and bruising are common in the early stages of liposuction recovery but can be effectively managed with prescribed aftercare. Compression garments will be supplied to you and will promote healing, reduce swelling, and support the body’s new contours. Light movement is encouraged soon after surgery to reduce the risk of clotting, and we will give you instructions on how to care for your incisions to prevent infection or scars. Although some changes are noticeable immediately, full results typically appear over the next few months as swelling subsides and the body heals completely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction
How Long Does a Typical Liposuction Procedure Take?
Smaller areas, like the chin or arms, may take as little as one hour, while larger or multiple areas can require two to four hours. The duration of a liposuction procedure depends on the areas being treated and the amount of fat being removed. Your surgeon will provide an estimate based on your specific treatment plan.
Will the Fat Come Back After Liposuction?
Fat cells removed during liposuction do not regenerate, but remaining fat cells can still expand with weight gain. Maintaining a stable weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise helps preserve the results of your procedure. If weight gain occurs, it may distribute more evenly across the body rather than accumulating in the treated areas, but this is different for everyone.
How Much Fat Is Removed During Liposuction?
The amount of fat removed varies depending on the treatment area, body type, and surgeon’s recommendations. Typically, between two to five liters (or around five to eight pounds) of fat can be removed safely in one session. Larger volumes may require additional procedures for optimal results while prioritizing patient safety.
Will Liposuction Tighten Skin?
Liposuction removes fat but does not directly address skin laxity. If the skin has good elasticity, it may retract to fit the new contours after surgery. For areas with significant sagging, additional treatments such as laser, microneedling, or radiofrequency treatments may be recommended to help the skin contract.
Can Liposuction Treat Cellulite?
Liposuction is not designed to treat cellulite since these dimples are primarily caused by fibrous bands that pull tissue down while pushing fat cells up. While the procedure may improve the appearance of cellulite in some cases by reducing fat in the area, it is not a guaranteed solution and can even cause further dimpling in some. Other treatments are better suited for addressing specific concerns about cellulite.
Does Liposuction Leave Scars?
Scars from liposuction are minimal and are placed in discreet locations such as natural folds or less visible areas of the body. The incisions are typically very small, around a few millimeters in length, and fade significantly over time. Proper scar care can further improve their appearance during the healing process.
How Long Will It Take to See My Full Results?
While you may notice some changes immediately, full results typically take four to six months as swelling subsides. Residual swelling can continue to resolve over nine months, revealing the final contours. Patience during this period allows the body to fully heal and adapt to the new shape.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
The cost of liposuction varies depending on the number and size of treatment areas and the complexity of the procedure. Other factors, such as anesthesia and facility fees, may also influence the price. Your surgeon can provide a detailed breakdown of costs during your consultation.
About Your Surgeon
Dr. Nicholas Tarola, a board-certified plastic surgeon, combines extensive training in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery with a patient-focused approach to care. At Tarola Plastic Surgery in Murfreesboro, TN, we specialize in breast and body procedures, including advanced techniques for restoring the breasts after pregnancy, weight loss, or implant removal, and further techniques for body contouring and fat reduction. We prioritize understanding each patient’s goals and using innovative techniques to deliver exceptional results.
We have many patients who travel from outside the area. Our exceptional out-of-town program offers a seamless experience, and we give you guidance on accommodations and post-surgical care. Whether you’re local or visiting, we are here to help you achieve your aesthetic goals with professionalism and compassion.
Contour Your Body With Liposuction in Murfreesboro, TN
Liposuction offers a proven way to address stubborn fat deposits that diet and exercise alone can’t resolve, helping you achieve more refined contours. At Tarola Plastic Surgery in Murfreesboro, TN, we use advanced techniques to make the process as smooth and effective as possible. To learn more or schedule a consultation, call us at (615) 624-8914 or contact us through our online form today.
