Most people assume that “going under the knife” means, well, going under. But what if it didn’t? At Hakimi Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Hakimi has perfected the awake liposuction technique, a minimally invasive procedure that can sculpt and contour your body with no general anesthesia and just two days of downtime.
What Makes Awake Lipo Different
Awake liposuction is a minimally invasive fat removal procedure performed under local anesthesia, allowing patients to remain conscious and comfortable throughout the entire process. Unlike traditional liposuction that requires general anesthesia, this advanced technique uses oral sedation and a tumescent solution to numb treatment areas while patients stay awake, enabling real-time communication and positioning for optimal contouring results.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate?
Awake liposuction isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. The ideal candidate typically has localized fat deposits that haven’t responded to diet and exercise. Think stubborn love handles, bra rolls or upper arm fat that refuses to budge no matter how many workouts you crush.
You’ll want to be in good overall health with realistic expectations. If you’re under the impression that liposuction will be a shortcut to weight loss, think again. The amount of fat that can be safely removed (up to 5 liters) doesn’t translate to significant weight reduction (about 11 pounds max), so patients should be as close to their goal weight as possible for the best results.
For those considering GLP-1 injections to qualify for surgery, it might be an unpopular opinion, but Dr. Hakimi recommends starting these after you undergo liposuction. Why?
Because when patients lose weight quickly with these medications, the fat becomes very “sticky.” Instead of being attached to the muscle like ‘normal’ fat, it tends to get stuck under the skin, making it more difficult to remove and increasing the potential for contour irregularities.
A recent study out of Texas also found that people on weight loss medications experience poor wound healing. It also found that they tend to have more pain after surgery. The mechanism of this is unclear, but is something that Dr. Hakimi has noticed himself in his liposuction patients.
What to Expect From Pre-Op to Post-Op
Once you’ve determined that awake liposuction aligns with your goals, understanding what actually happens during the procedure can help you feel more confident about your decision.
Your Consultation
Your consultation with Dr. Hakimi is arguably the most important part of your procedure. During this initial meeting, you and Dr. Hakimi will have the opportunity to discuss your needs and treatment goals, evaluate your areas of concern and determine if awake liposuction is right for you. Dr. Hakimi will also explain the surgical process and what you can expect from start to finish, providing you with detailed pre-op instructions to ensure the best possible experience.
If, for some reason, you aren’t a good candidate for awake liposuction, Dr. Hakimi will recommend a more suitable procedure. He’ll provide an honest, candid and educated opinion about what may or may not work for you, prioritizing your safety and results above all else.
Pre-Op Preparations
Surgery under general anesthesia comes with a lot of restrictions. No food or drink except water after midnight. No coffee the morning of your appointment. No driving home afterward, as the effects of anesthesia can linger and impair your ability to operate heavy machinery. You’ll also likely feel nauseous and “out of it” for the rest of the day, throwing your entire routine off.
Awake liposuction involves far fewer restrictions. There are no breathing tubes and, in many cases, no need for an IV, so you can enjoy a normal breakfast before coming in for your procedure. Throughout the fat removal process, you’ll be conscious and able to listen to music and even chat with Dr. Hakimi if you’d like. Oral sedation is used to keep you comfortable, so you’ll still need a ride home from surgery, but you can fly or drive within two days.
The Awake Lipo Procedure
As the name implies, during awake liposuction, you remain alert throughout the procedure, though you’ll be relaxed and comfortable thanks to oral sedation and numbing medication. You’ll feel the initial incision that Dr. Hakimi makes to infuse the treatment area with a tumescent solution, a specialized mixture of saline, epinephrine and lidocaine, but after that, most patients report no discomfort. At most, you’ll be aware of some pressure as the cannula is moved back and forth to dislodge and eliminate fat cells, but this is well-tolerated and not painful.
The 2-Day Downtime Recovery
Liposuction under general anesthesia is a great option for people looking to sculpt multiple areas of the body at once. Dr. Hakim himself does use general anesthesia, particularly for procedures like Total Definer Liposuction, but it typically involves about a week of downtime.
With awake liposuction, downtime is reduced to just two days and is mostly a social downtime. You’ll experience some soreness, swelling and drainage from the incision sites for about 48 hours, but afterward, you’re free to resume most normal activities with no post-op grogginess. Even pain levels are manageable with prescribed and over-the-counter medications.
To ensure the best healing and results, more strenuous exercise will be restricted for up to two weeks, and Dr. Hakimi will send you home with detailed aftercare instructions, including guidance on compression garment usage and scheduling your lymphatic massages. Overall, most patients are pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy the recovery process is.
“I just want to start off by saying Dr. Hakimi is by far one of the best doctors in California. His attention to detail is amazing, and the care for his patients is out of this world. He’s probably one of the few doctors out here that is 100% honest with his patients and their expectations. I did my procedure with him in October and can’t stop raving enough about my experience. I was so comfortable throughout my whole procedure, I think I even fell asleep lol. As for my results! I’m OBSESSED!!! He truly helped build my confidence, and now I can’t wait for summer! I don’t think a hundred “Thank You” would ever be enough to show how thankful I am for him and the work he does.”
— Amy M.
Discover What Awake Lipo Can Do For You
Awake liposuction has become increasingly popular in Beverly Hills, where patients want excellent results without the downtime that comes with traditional liposuction. If you’re ready to learn more about this advanced technique and whether it’s right for you, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Hakimi. Get started by calling us at 424-239-5201 or completing the online contact form. We offer both virtual consultations via private video chat with Dr. Hakimi and in-person appointments at our Beverly Hills office.