Most people understand that liposuction removes fat from the body and usually associate the procedure with reducing “love handles” on the hips or creating a contoured abdominal area. Even though these are some of the most common areas targeted by liposuction at our Long Island practice, we can treat virtually any area of the body where excess fat accumulates.

How Is Liposuction Performed?

If you’ve been researching liposuction online, you’re probably aware that multiple technological options exist. Liposuction can be performed using ultrasound or laser energy, which melts fat cells before they’re removed. Those procedures, however, involve the risk of burns.

The traditional liposuction technique involves making a small incision and then saturating the tissue below the skin with a solution that includes a local anesthetic and a medication that causes the tissue to swell. The surgeon then inserts a thin tube, called a cannula, and vigorously moves it back and forth to break up the fatty tissue and suction it from the body. Another option, which I tend to favor, is power-assisted liposuction (PAL). This technique involves a vibrating cannula that is gentler, reducing bruising and bleeding and shortening the recovery time.

Possible Treatment Areas

When a patient comes in for a consultation to discuss liposuction, it’s important to ensure they are good candidates for the procedure. One of the most common misunderstandings about liposuction is thinking it’s a weight-loss procedure. That’s not the case. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that works best for people who are either at or close to the weight they want to maintain. A liposuction patient’s skin should also retain most of its elasticity so it can “shrink to fit” the new contours. People with sagging skin may need to consider combining liposuction with a procedure such as a tummy tuck or neck lift, depending on the treatment area.

Those areas may include:

• Cheeks, neck, and double chin
• Abdomen
• Upper back (bra roll)
• Chest
• Upper arms
• Hips (muffin top)
• Knees
• Inner and outer thighs
• Buttocks

Whatever area of the body is treated, it’s important to choose a plastic surgeon experienced in performing liposuction and who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. If you want to discuss your treatment options with a liposuction specialist in New York, request a consultation using the online form or call our office at (914) 423-9000 to schedule an appointment.