Liposuction, also called aspiration lipectomy, removes excess fat through a suctioning process.
The University of Michigan is a nationally recognized leader in reconstructive surgery. Our team of board-certified plastic surgeons and medical specialists guides our patients through every step of the liposuction process to ensure the best results possible.
Is Liposuction Right for You?
Are there areas of your body that seem to accumulate fat? The tendency to accumulate fat in areas such as the abdomen may be inherited, and this fat is often especially resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction permanently removes fat deposits from areas such as the chin, cheeks, neck, upper arms, abdomen, hips, buttocks and thighs.
Liposuction is one of the most common of all cosmetic procedures and can be an effective technique for recontouring the body.
Best Candidates
Liposuction is best for patients who are otherwise in good health, without active diseases or serious, pre-existing medical conditions. Candidates should be adults of any age within 30 percent of their ideal weight and with firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. Also, it is not an effective treatment for cellulite.
About the Procedure
The surgeon makes a small incision in or near the areas to be suctioned. In some cases, these incisions may be so small that no post-operative stitches are required. The surgeon then inserts an appropriately sized tube, or cannula, through the incision to loosen excess fat. The surgeon then uses a surgical vacuum to remove the fat. The surgeon may use ultrasound to assist liposuction in certain areas that would otherwise not respond well to conventional treatment.
Your surgeon will evaluate your skin tone and elasticity, as well as fat density and distribution to determine the appropriate technique for your individual case.
Options to Enhance the Procedure
In some cases, liposuction is used in conjunction with other procedures, such as a facelift, breast reduction, or a tummy tuck. View all of our plastic surgery procedures.
Your Consultation
If you’re interested in liposuction, we’ll first have you come for a personal consultation with your plastic surgeon. You will have the opportunity to discuss your goals and the results you would like to achieve. Your surgeon will work with you to reach an understanding about what you can expect from this procedure and the long-term benefits. Every patient is different, and your surgeon will choose the surgical technique and treatment plan that is right for you. During your initial consultation, you should expect to:
- Provide a complete medical history. Include information about: any previous surgical procedures; past and present medical conditions; and all medications or herbal supplements you are taking.
- Have your surgeon conduct a physical examination.
- Discuss possible risks and complications.
Surgery
Preparing for Your Surgery
After your consultation and decisions about surgery, we will give you pre-operative information that explains everything you should do and know before your procedure. Your surgical team will instruct you on how to prepare for surgery. You should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery. You also may want to make arrangements for someone to help you for a day or two while you heal.
Anesthesia
We will keep you comfortable throughout the entire procedure. In most cases, we use general anesthetic so that you will sleep throughout the procedure although local anesthesia with intravenous sedation is also an option for some patients.
Recovery
It’s very important that you follow your surgeon's instructions. This will promote healing and improve progress towards your new physical appearance. It’s also important that you attend all follow-up appointments so that your surgeon can assess your long-term results and answer any questions or concerns.
Location
Your procedure will take place in the University of Michigan Hospitals state-of-the-art surgical suites and recovery areas. Most liposuctions are outpatient procedures.
We conduct all pre-operative and post-operative visits at Domino’s Farms where our patients enjoy personalized care in a private office atmosphere.