Liposuction
Perhaps one of the most popular cosmetic procedures available today, liposuction is performed at Ayala Plastic Surgery to remove excess fat in regions of the body prone to fatty tissue buildup. In many cases, diet and exercise can only achieve a certain degree of improvement—healthy individuals with active lifestyles often find they can lose weight, but still struggle to smooth fat bulges near the hips, back, and bra line, among other areas. Liposuction can be a relatively simple and effective solution to address this issue, as the body sculpting procedure is designed to reduce this stubborn fat and improve contours.
- What is Liposuction?
- Liposuction Candidates
- Liposuction Procedure
- Liposuction Recovery
- Liposuction Cost
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical technique that can remove excess fatty tissue from several different areas of the body, including the:
- Abdomen
- Submental area (Under chin)
- Upper arms
- Thighs
- Knees
- Back
- Hips
This targeted fat removal is achieved using a narrow tube called a cannula, which is assisted by suction technology to break up and extract fat through a small incision. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, John Ayala, MD, FACS, offers liposuction and other body plastic surgery procedures at his San Antonio practice for patients who may have trouble getting rid of “problem” fat with diet and exercise alone.
Who is a Candidate for Liposuction?
Those interested in liposuction should be relatively healthy and wish to treat regions of isolated fat buildup. It’s important to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, and the best candidates for this cosmetic surgery simply wish to contour their body via excess fat removal. In addition, patients considering liposuction should have good skin tone and little to no laxity (skin sagging). If you would like to address loose skin along with excess fatty deposits, combining liposuction with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck, arm lift, or buttock lift, can often provide the greatest degree of improvement.
How is the Liposuction Procedure Performed?
Liposuction is performed under general anesthesia and can take approximately one hour, depending on the size and number of areas targeted. Dr. Ayala will first make a tiny half-inch incision near the region(s) planned for fat removal, concealing incisions within the natural folds of the skin whenever possible. Excess fat will then be suctioned out using a narrow cannula, potentially with the assistance of other liposuction techniques such as tumescent liposuction. This approach delivers a solution of medications to the treatment area prior to fat removal, often reducing swelling, bleeding, and discomfort after the procedure. Dr. Ayala will go over the details of your unique surgical plan with you during your consultation.
What is Recovery From Liposuction Like?
Downtime after liposuction is usually less extensive when compared to other surgical procedures. Some degree of swelling and/or bruising is normal, but oral pain medications can help reduce potential discomfort. You can expect to see the full outcome of your liposuction results within 6 to 12 months. Most patients are able to return to non-strenuous job duties within a few days, although it can take eight weeks before you are cleared for full activity. Rest assured that Dr. Ayala will let you know what you can expect during your recovery in person. Caution when handling your incisions is essential, as bacteria around open wounds can lead to infection and possibly delay the healing process.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
Liposuction in San Antonio generally costs between $2,000 and $10,000 depending on an array of factors, including:
- The liposuction technique used
- The size and location of the treated area(s)
- The extent of fat removal desired
The above range will include costs of the anesthesia, surgical facility, and other associated surgical fees. For some patients, plastic surgery financing through CareCredit® can help make surgical expenses more affordable by allowing approved individuals to select their choice of short- or long-term payment plan. Many options offered by CareCredit® include low monthly installments and minimal interest rates, if any, giving patients the opportunity to accommodate any budgetary concerns.
For more information about liposuction at Ayala Plastic Surgery, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ayala, please contact our team today.