For women, the areas most often treated include the abdomen, back, thighs, buttocks, hips, knees, lower leg, and neck. For men, the most commonly treated areas are the abdomen, neckline, chest and “love handles.”

How long does the procedure take?
Liposuction normally takes 1 to 1 ½ hours for each site treated, although it varies depending on the size of the area being treated, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used.

How much fat can be removed?
In a healthy individual, 12 pounds of tissue can be removed safely in one procedure. This large volume liposuction will require an overnight stay in the hospital so that medical personnel can monitor your recovery.

What kind of anesthesia will be used?
This will depend on the extent of the procedure, number of procedures being done and your medical history. The surgery can be done under local anesthesia with light or deep sedation, regional, or general anesthesia.

Will I need to stay in the hospital?
Generally liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis, particularly if the amount of fat to be removed is moderate. If larger amounts of fat are being removed or multiple procedures are being done at once, you may need to spend the night in the hospital so that medical personnel can monitor your recovery.

When can I get back to work and my normal routine?
As long as your work or normal routine is fairly sedentary, you should be able to return to it within a few days. You will need to avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks, but you can plan to resume all normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks.

When will I be able to see results?
After surgery, you will notice some bruising and swelling so your body will time to heal before the full benefits will be obvious. Within two or three weeks you may begin to notice the difference in the contour of your body, but the full effect may take three to six months to become evident.

Does liposuction remove stretch marks and cellulite?
No. Stretch marks are a sign of skin that has lost its elasticity and they may become even more noticeable after liposuction. Liposuction does not treat cellulite, however, the reduction of fat cells may improve the appearance of areas with cellulite.

Will I need to have surgery more than once?
If you are having liposuction over a very large area, you will need more than one surgery.

Can multiple areas be done at one time?
Yes, you may have liposuction done on more than one area. Treatment to multiple areas may require general anesthesia and an overnight stay in the hospital.

Can I regain fat in the area that was treated?
If you gain weight, the new fat will be distributed throughout the body, which may include the treated area.