Liposuction Body Contouring Procedure Steps

Liposuction body contouring currently ranks as the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure after breast implants. Less invasive techniques are now used to perform liposuction, such as the tumescent technique, laser lipo and ultrasound assisted liposuction. The procedure is also fairly customizable and can be tailored as per the specific needs of a patient.

The steps involved in liposuction procedure will largely remain the same even when different techniques are used. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient about the steps involved in the procedure. The first concern of a responsible surgeon is to educate the patient and help them make a well-considered decision about liposuction.

The fantastic and judicious Dr. David Kim of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery is a plastic surgeon providing liposuction and various other surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Anesthesia

Tumescent liposuction is one of the common techniques to perform liposuction surgery. The surgeon can perform this procedure without involving general anesthesia. Lidocaine local anesthetic and mild sedation may be used to perform fat removal in targeted areas. Only if multiple sites are involved and large amounts of fat reduction is necessary, the surgeon may use general anesthesia.  

Incision Placement

Following anesthesia, the surgeon will begin the procedure by placing small incisions in discreet, pre-determined sites. The incision size can be from a quarter to a third of an inch in most cases. Incisions will be placed in the natural creases or concealed areas to minimize the subsequent scarring. Liposuction plastic surgery typically does not involve big incisions unless it is combined with other procedures such as tummy tuck or breast lift.

Fat Tissue Reduction

Through the incisions, the surgeon will insert a thin cannula to remove the unwanted fat tissue from the deeper layers. The surgeon will gently manipulate the fat tissue with the cannula by moving it back and forth to dislodge the tough fat tissue. Once the fat cells are disrupted, it becomes easy to suction them out in a less traumatic way using a syringe or a pump attached to the other end of the cannula.

Heat Energy Techniques   

Advanced heat based techniques such as laser, ultrasound, or radio frequency may sometimes be combined to perform liposuction in a more precise and less invasive way. The controlled heat generated in the deeper fat layers through this energy will liquefy the targeted fat cells, and require minimal physical manipulation of the fat. During and after the surgery, the patient will be administered IV fluids to compensate for the loss of blood and bodily fluids.

Incision Closure

Once the excess fat tissue is removed, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures. In many cases, temporary drain tubes will be placed below the skin in the incision sites to collect excess fluid and minimize infection risks. In about a week or 10 days after the surgery, the sutures and drains will be removed. Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and other towns and cities in SoCal for liposuction.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim, contact us (310) 271-6996 at or click here.

Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.