Liposuction
Fat reduction & body contouring in Asheville, NC
Every person is genetically programmed to accumulate fat in certain ways; a lucky few enjoy an even distribution of body fat and are not affected by unsightly pockets of fat on the abdomen, hips, thighs, or elsewhere. Most of us are not so lucky—we may inherit love handles, a bulge on the belly, or a “double chin.”
Stubborn fat deposits are notoriously difficult to reduce, even with a healthy diet and vigorous exercise, but if you are bothered by excess fat, liposuction can help. This time-tested cosmetic surgery selectively suctions out fat cells to reduce unwanted fat and create a smoother, sleeker body contour.
Why consider liposuction?
Liposuction has remained the most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States for many years—more than 347,700 liposuction procedures were performed in 2023 alone, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It is a versatile procedure that offers a number of key benefits:
- Reduces pockets of stubborn fat that exercise and diet fail to address
- Improves body shape and proportions by sculpting away excess fat in select areas
- Addresses “problem areas” in a single procedure with lasting results
While non-surgical alternatives may work for some people to reduce the size of a fat bulge, only liposuction allows for precise control over fat reduction and sculpting with predictable, long-lasting results. Liposuction can also help to enhance results of other cosmetic procedures, such as a tummy tuck or male breast reduction.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Permanent Removal of Fat Cells: The fat cells removed during liposuction are permanently eliminated, contributing to long-lasting body shaping results.
- Targeted Fat Reduction: Liposuction precisely removes fat from targeted areas of the body that are resistant to diet and exercise, such as the abdomen, thighs, and arms.
- Improved Body Contour: By removing unwanted fat deposits, liposuction enhances the body’s natural contours and proportions.
- Quick, Visible Results: Patients typically see significant improvements in their body shape shortly after recovery, offering immediate satisfaction.
- Versatility: Liposuction can be customized to meet the specific needs and goals of each patient, as well as performed on various parts of the body, thus allowing for personalized treatment plans.
- Anesthesia: Medication used during surgery to prevent pain; can be local (numbing a specific area), regional (numbing a larger part of the body), or general (inducing sleep).
- Body Contouring: A range of surgical and nonsurgical procedures, including liposuction, used to reshape and refine the contours of the body.
- Cannula: A thin, hollow tube used during liposuction to break up and suction fat out of the body.
- Compression Garments: Specialized clothing worn by patients after liposuction to reduce swelling, support the treated areas, and help the skin conform to its new contours.
- Fat Cells: Cells in the body that store fat; liposuction permanently removes fat cells from the targeted area.
- Incisions: Small cuts made in the skin to insert the liposuction cannula; they are strategically placed to minimize visible scarring.
- Liposuction (Lipo): A cosmetic surgery procedure that removes unwanted fat from specific areas of the body to improve body contours and proportion.
- Local Anesthesia: A type of anesthesia that numbs only the area being treated; often used in smaller or less extensive liposuction procedures.
- Recovery Time: The period following surgery during which the body heals; for liposuction, this includes time for swelling to reduce and the final contours to stabilize.
- Sedation Anesthesia: Medication that helps patients relax and may make them partially or fully unconscious during the procedure; often used in conjunction with local anesthesia for liposuction.
- Seroma: An accumulation of fluid in the tissue where fat has been removed; a possible complication of liposuction that may need to be drained for proper healing.
- Skin Elasticity: The ability of the skin to stretch and return to its normal state after being stretched; crucial for achieving smooth results from liposuction, as skin with good elasticity is more likely to conform to the body’s new contours.
- Subcutaneous Fat: The layer of fat just beneath the skin that is targeted during liposuction.
- Suction-Assisted Liposuction (SAL): The standard technique of liposuction where a cannula is inserted through small incisions to vacuum out fat.
- Tumescent Liposuction: A technique that involves injecting a large amount of medicated solution into the areas being treated before the fat is removed, reducing blood loss and providing anesthesia during and after surgery.
- Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL): A liposuction technique that uses ultrasound energy to liquefy fat before it is removed, making it easier to suction out, especially in areas with denser fat or where precision is crucial.
- VASER Liposuction: A variant of ultrasound-assisted liposuction that uses a more advanced form of ultrasound technology for fat removal, known for its ability to preserve surrounding tissues while effectively removing fat.
Choosing Dr. Conway for your liposuction procedure
Dr. Donald Conway
Asheville plastic surgeon Dr. Donald Conway has more than 20 years of experience performing liposuction as a board certified plastic surgeon. He also has professional training and experience as a medical illustrator. This unique combination of skills has helped Dr. Conway develop a keen sense of symmetry, proportion, and precision that shines through in his patients’ results.
Additionally, Dr. Conway always performs liposuction in our AAASF accredited surgery center in Asheville, NC and works with board certified anesthesiologists for your safety.
What areas of the body can liposuction be performed on?
Liposuction is an extremely versatile procedure; Dr. Conway can remove tiny pockets of fat around the underarms as well as smooth out larger bulges around the abdomen. Common areas our Asheville patients request liposuction include, but are not limited to:
- Lower belly and flanks
- Hips and lower back
- Inner or outer thighs
- Knees and ankles
- Chest and back
- Neck or beneath the chin
Am I a good candidate?
Liposuction (also known as lipo) is a surgical fat reduction procedure; it is excellent for reducing pockets of subcutaneous fat (fat beneath the skin) to improve body contours. If you are healthy and happy with your body weight but have certain “problem areas” that bother you, liposuction can offer lasting improvement and a boost in confidence.
- You are at or near your ideal body weight. Liposuction will not help you lose weight; no cosmetic procedure can. You will enjoy a safer surgery and more satisfying results if you reach your goal weight several months prior to surgery. Then, liposuction can help you improve your body shape.
- You have good skin contraction. Liposuction will not improve sagging, stretched skin. In fact, undergoing liposuction in an area where skin can no longer contract can make the appearance of loose skin worse. If you have excess, sagging skin, a tummy tuck or other body contouring procedure would be more appropriate.
- You are a healthy non-smoker. Your safety and results are Dr. Conway’s highest priority; you should only undergo cosmetic surgery if you are in otherwise good health. Smoking increases risks for complications before and after surgery; if you smoke, quit at least 2 months before and after having liposuction.
If you are unsure whether or not you meet these criteria, Dr. Conway will offer clarification at your consultation, helping you understand what results you might expect from liposuction and whether liposuction or another surgical procedure, such as a tummy tuck, will better meet your goals.
About the procedure
Dr. Conway performs liposuction at the Plastic Surgery Center in Asheville, NC, a fully-accredited private surgery center that is adjacent to his practice office. General anesthesia is provided by a board certified MD anesthesiologist.
Incisions made for liposuction are very small—typically 1cm in length or smaller. Dr. Conway takes care to place incisions in the least conspicuous locations possible, and with proper care resulting scars usually fade beautifully.
Following your liposuction procedure, you will be placed in a compression garment. This helps to control swelling and provides support to the liposuctioned area as it heals. After a brief time in our quiet recovery room, you will be allowed to go home.
Liposuction recovery: what patients can expect
Liposuction recovery is typically a smooth and relatively quick process for healthy patients who follow Dr. Conway’s instructions for post-operative care. You will be up and walking around the same evening after surgery, although you will mainly want to rest the first couple of days as effects of anesthesia continue to wear off. Pain is usually minimal; with most patients reporting more soreness than pain. Showering is permitted after 1 to 2 days.
If you have a sedentary job, you should be able to return to work within 1 week after your procedure. Jobs and exercise involving lifting or straining should be avoided for about 3 weeks after liposuction surgery. By a month or so after your procedure, you should be ready to resume your normal lifestyle. Dr. Conway may recommend wearing your compression garment for 4 to 6 weeks for optimal skin contraction.
Keep in mind, however, that if you have additional procedures, your recovery may progress at a different rate and/or require additional modifications in your routine. Dr. Conway will explain the recovery process in detail at your consultation.
Do liposuction results last?
Liposuction removes a portion of the fat cells in the treated area. As long as you maintain a stable weight, your results should last for many years. Substantial weight gain in the future will result in additional body fat deposits, so it is important to remain committed to a healthy lifestyle following liposuction.
Procedures often combined with liposuction
Thigh Lift
Dr. Conway performs thigh lift and buttock lift surgery to address sagging on the lower body. A thigh and buttock lift can effectively remove burdensome excess skin and lift underlying tissues into a more youthful, aesthetically pleasing position. Liposuction is often performed at the same time to remove fat and achieve a more contoured results.
Arm Lift
An upper arm lift (brachioplasty) eliminates hanging, loose skin from the upper arms to restore a smoother, slimmer and firmer appearance to the arms. Liposuction can be combined with an arm lift in order to target stubborn arm fat in addition to excess skin.
Post Weight Loss Body Lift
While your body shrinks with massive weight loss, more often than not, the skin cannot completely contract to fit the new, smaller body size. If you are bothered by excess, sagging skin on your body after weight loss, a body lift can help. Liposuction often performed as part of a body lift to remove stubborn areas of fat that were resistant to weight loss.
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Conway today
Are you interested in learning more about liposuction in Asheville? Please contact our office to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Conway. He and our team will answer your questions and provide you with the information you need to make a confident choice about liposuction or any other plastic surgery procedure.
References »
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2023 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Accessed 07/30/2024.
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Azzi AJ, Lafrenière AS, Viezel-Mathieu A, Hemmerling TM, Gilardino M. Objective Quantification of Liposuction Results. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2018 Jul-Sep;11(3):105-109. doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_102_18. PMID: 30533983; PMCID: PMC6243817.
Wu S, Coombs DM, Gurunian R. Liposuction: Concepts, safety, and techniques in body-contouring surgery. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2020 Jun;87(6):367-375. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.19097.
Venkataram J. Tumescent liposuction: a review. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2008 Jul;1(2):49-57. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.44159.
