Liposuction is one of the most gratifying cosmetic procedures we perform for our patients. That’s because liposuction can sculpt and slim areas of the body that diet and exercise sometimes can’t. (We all know the frustration of trying to “spot treat” our trouble zones.) With relatively little downtime and results that can last several years, it’s no wonder so many people choose this popular body contouring procedure.
Once you’ve decided to have liposuction, it’s important to choose a provider who is qualified to perform your treatment. Getting the best results from liposuction requires a unique combination of knowledge, artistry, and skill.
When you’re evaluating a potential plastic surgeon, be sure to ask them the following 4 questions to ensure you make the right choice.
1. Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon?
Not every surgeon has the same credentials when it comes to plastic surgery. By choosing a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, you can rest assured knowing they have achieved the highest level of education and training in plastic surgery. Being board certified also means your surgeon is held to high standards of ethics, safety, and quality—all of which help ensure your procedure goes smoothly.
Every surgeon at South Bay Plastic Surgeons is board certified and possesses more than enough experience to help you achieve your goals. Our surgeons have worked with people of all shapes and sizes and know how to create the personalized results you want, whether you want to combine your liposuction procedure with a tummy tuck or slim a double chin with facial liposuction.
2. Is traditional liposuction or VASERlipo® right for me?
There are many types of liposuction available, and two of the most popular are traditional liposuction and VASERlipo—a newer, less-invasive form of liposuction. It can be confusing to know which to choose, so make sure you ask your surgeon to recommend the best procedure for your body type and aesthetic goals.
South Bay Plastic Surgeons offers both traditional and VASERlipo. We understand that every patient is different and are happy to help guide you toward the best option for you. Here are a few things to consider when evaluating the two approaches:
- Traditional liposuction
- Long history of proven results
- Considered the “gold standard” in surgical fat removal
- Requires a longer recovery than VASERlipo
- Can remove large amounts of fat from almost anywhere on the body
- VASERlipo
- Gentler procedure with shorter recovery time
- Offers additional precision and versatility
- Good option for people with more fibrous body tissue (usually men)
- Excellent for areas like love handles and bra rolls
3. What is the recovery time for liposuction?
Your recovery from liposuction will depend on which liposuction technique is used, as well as how much fat you have removed and from where. Usually, our patients can return to work after about 1 week and can engage in more rigorous activities in 3 to 4 weeks. Most people who have liposuction will need to wear a special compression garment for several weeks after surgery. For more information, take a look at our liposuction recovery timeline blog post.
4. Do you have examples of prior work?
An experienced liposuction surgeon should be proud of their work and willing to show it off. Ask to see several before and after photos of actual liposuction patients. This will give you a good idea of the results you can expect from surgery. Here are a few of our patients’ before and after photos to get an idea of the type of results to look for:
You can also ask your surgeon what their complication rate is and how many liposuction procedures they have performed. This will help you gauge their level of expertise in performing your procedure.
Discover Your Options
At South Bay Plastic Surgeons, we take great pride in achieving fantastic results with liposuction surgery. Feel free to browse our photo gallery to see more liposuction patients from Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and the greater Los Angeles area who have come to our Torrance practice for this procedure. You can call us at (310) 784-0644 to schedule an appointment or request a consultation online.
This post was originally published in September 2018 and updated in June 2023.
Leave a Reply