Liposuction

At Novant Health Appel & Wormer Plastic Surgery, we offer a variety of liposuction procedures including thigh liposuction, non-invasive liposuction and abdominal liposuction.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction (also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy) is a procedure to remove excess fat from targeted parts of the body. If you have persistent localized fat deposits that will not go away with a healthy diet and exercise, liposuction could help you.

Liposuction is not ideal for obese patients, as it is good for smaller areas of fat and does not take the place of overall weight loss. Liposuction is often done alongside other procedures including tummy tucks or breast augmentations.

Areas often targeted with liposuction include the legs, stomach area, arms, neck, cheeks and back.

What does liposuction involve?

The liposuction procedure itself is done with anesthesia to minimize discomfort. In a typical liposuction procedure, our surgeons will make a small incision just large enough for a small, hollow tube to be passed through. The small tube is used to loosen excess fat and then to remove it through suction.

Other liposuction techniques involve injecting a medicated solution into fat deposits before that fat is removed. The solution allows the fat to be removed more easily, reduces blood loss and contains anesthesia that reduces pain during and after the procedure. It also helps to reduce bruising after surgery. These techniques can be called Tumescent Liposuction, Super-Wet Liposuction or simply Fluid Injection Liposuction.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL), also known as ultrasonic liposuction or ultrasound liposuction, uses ultrasonic energy to make fat cells explode, turning the fat to liquid. The fat is then removed through standard liposuction techniques.

What to expect after liposuction

After liposuction, you can expect some swelling.  It might take several months for this swelling to completely go down. After that, you can expect a more shapely figure without problem fat deposits. Results are long-lasting as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Liposuction side effects and risks

Most of the risks and side effects of liposuction are similar to those possible with other surgeries. You might be drowsy due to anesthesia immediately following your surgery. You can expect to be sore. In rare cases, patients experience more serious health concerns including blood clots, unfavorable scarring or bleeding. 

If you experience bagging of the skin or uneven fat loss, additional surgery might be needed.