Awake Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to permanently remove unwanted fat from almost anywhere on the body. It works by targeting areas where stubborn fat tends to accumulate, including the abdomen, back, flanks, hips, thighs, arms and buttocks. It can also be used to eliminate fat from smaller areas, such as below the chin or above the knees.

Liposuction is often performed under general anesthesia, but Dr. Hakimi also offers awake liposuction, which combines advanced techniques with local anesthesia and mild sedation to reduce scarring, improve recovery times and minimize some of the risks associated with surgery. During treatment, a thin, hollow tube called a cannula is inserted through small, strategically placed incisions and moved back and forth to break up the targeted fat cells. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out and the incisions are closed, leaving behind slimmer body contours.

Liposuction is effective at permanently removing fat cells from treated areas, but it’s important to maintain a stable weight after surgery to ensure a lasting outcome. It’s also important to recognize that liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. The best results are typically seen in patients who are close to their ideal body weight but would like to remove specific pockets of stubborn fat that don’t respond well to diet and exercise.

The cost of liposuction varies depending on the techniques used and the number of areas being treated. During your consultation, Dr. Hakimi will create your liposuction surgical plan based on your unique needs and goals. He will also consider your budget. When your plan is developed, the estimated costs will be discussed. To make your cosmetic surgery affordable, we take many payment options and can assist you in finding low-interest medical financing.

Liposuction is designed to eliminate excess fat. It will not have a significant effect on cellulite or loose skin. If you have a large amount of loose skin, you can combine liposuction with a surgical body lift to ensure the best results. Liposuction may also be performed alongside other skin tightening procedures, depending on your unique needs and goals. To reduce the appearance of cellulite, there are many nonsurgical and minimally invasive treatments available. During your consultation, talk to Dr. Hakimi about your concerns so he can create a comprehensive treatment plan just for you.

This is a common question our patients regularly ask. Every individual has a certain number of fat cells. Fat cells stop multiplying when we reach adulthood. Instead of making new cells, the fat cells grow in size. For example, someone might gain 20 pounds between the ages of 20 and 40. The number of fat cells didn’t multiply by that percentage of weight gain, but the cells’ size increased instead. When a patient undergoes liposuction, they are removing the fat cells from an area. If the patient gains weight afterward, the body won’t have the same number of fat cells in that area to store the energy. Therefore, the fat goes to other places like your back, your hips and your arms. It also depends on genetics, which can be unpredictable.

As long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle after your procedure, the results of liposuction are considered permanent. Once fat cells are removed, they cannot regrow or otherwise come back in treated areas. However, significant weight changes can cause the remaining fat cells to expand, negatively impacting your results. For many patients, liposuction can provide motivation for eating healthily and getting regular exercise to ensure a lasting outcome.

If you lose weight after liposuction of the chin or neck, usually you’re safe within five or 10 pounds here or there. But if you lose a significant amount of weight and you’re the type of person who stores a lot of fat in this area due to genetics, then you might notice some increased skin laxity. However, in Dr. Hakimi’s experience, this is more of a problem after a facelift rather than liposuction because there will not be much fat left. We leave a very tiny amount of fat just to keep the skin looking healthy, natural and youthful.

The exact amount of fat that can be safely removed with liposuction varies depending on several factors, including your overall health, the areas being treated and specific surgical considerations. However, the general guideline is about 5 liters (approximately 11 pounds) of fat. This is true regardless of if your procedure is done under local or general anesthesia. In cases where a significant amount of fat needs to be removed, or if multiple areas are being treated at once, Dr. Hakimi might recommend dividing the procedure into multiple sessions to increase safety and improve your final result.

Undergoing nonsurgical body contouring treatments such as CoolSculpting or SculpSure prior to liposuction can have an impact on the surgical process and your final outcome. These nonsurgical treatments can cause scar tissue or inflammation in treated areas, which isn’t necessarily a major issue, but something that surgeons take into consideration. The presence of scar tissue can make the fat in these areas denser and less pliable, which might affect how easily it can be removed or transferred. It can also make it more difficult to estimate how much fat should be eliminated from a specific area. Despite these considerations, many patients still achieve meaningful improvements from liposuction after undergoing nonsurgical treatments. The results can be significant and satisfying, although the presence of scar tissue is an important factor to consider in the planning and execution of surgery.

Liposuction is considered safe and effective when performed by a highly trained, experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Hakimi. However, as with any surgical procedure, it does carry some risks, including infection, bleeding, contour irregularities and changes in skin sensation. These risks can be minimized by closely following Dr. Hakimi’s advice before and after surgery. During your initial consultation, he will discuss the risks and benefits of liposuction in more detail to help you make an informed decision regarding your procedure.