Liposuction in Beverly Hills
One of the most common cosmetic procedures available, liposuction is the permanent, targeted removal of unwanted, stubborn fat cells. This procedure is often used to supplement weight loss achieved through diet and exercise. Although diet and exercise may help to shed weight, stubborn pockets of fat may remain behind due to genetics. Liposuction in Beverly Hills can be used to selectively target areas of fat, in order to sculpt, slim down, and contour the body. The procedure is accomplished via tiny incisions in the skin, and requires minimal downtime.
Are you ready to learn more about liposuction? Book an appointment with Dr. Anita Patel, one of the best plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills.
Quick Links
- Treatment Overview
- Frequently Asked Question
- What is Liposuction?
- How Do I Know if Liposuction is Right for Me?
- Does Liposuction Permanently Remove Fat Cells?
- Is Liposuction Safe?
- Does Liposuction Hurt?
- Does Liposuction Leave Scars?
- How Long Does Liposuction Take?
- How Much Does Fat Removal Surgery Cost?
- Who is a Good Candidate for Liposuction in Beverly Hills?
- Are There Different Types of Liposuction?
- How Much Fat is Removed?
- How Big Are the Incisions?
- What Are the Risks of Liposuction?
Treatment Overview
First, you will meet with Dr. Anita Patel to share your concerns and discuss the results that you hope to achieve. This will be followed by a review of your medical history and a focused physical exam. Dr. Anita will then go over the risks and activity restrictions, and give you time to ask questions. Prior to the surgery, you will fill out consent forms.
Beverly Hills liposuction can be done under local or general anesthesia, depending on the number of areas and the comfort level of the patient. The procedure will consist of a number of tiny incisions, an injection of tumescent fluid (to numb and prevent bleeding), followed by the suction removal of unwanted fat. The small incisions are closed and dressed, and a compression garment will be applied.
- Length of Surgery: 1 hour per area
- Anesthesia: Local, Local with Sedation, or General
- Post-Op Activity: Avoid strenuous activity for 6 weeks.
- Return to Work: Typically 3-5 days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is the surgical removal of fat cells, performed via a cannula to suction out the cells.
How Do I Know if Liposuction is Right for Me?
Liposuction is a good option in those with a stable weight, who want to reduce fat in specific problem areas. It is not a weight loss procedure, or a treatment for reducing one’s weight. Dr. Patel sometimes uses a combination of a tummy tuck with liposuction.
Does Liposuction Permanently Remove Fat Cells?
Yes, liposuction permanently removes fat cells. The body does not create new fat cells to take their place, but any fat cells that remain can become plump or get bigger if there is weight gain.
Is Liposuction Safe?
Liposuction is safe when done in properly controlled settings, in good surgical candidates, by properly trained surgeons. It is a surgical procedure with specific risks, though overall is a safe procedure.
Does Liposuction Hurt?
Liposuction typically causes what is described as soreness to treated areas, rather than pain.
Does Liposuction Leave Scars?
The incisions used are typically 3-4 mm, and these scars can be nearly invisible or can be pigmented. All surgery leaves some degree of scar, and the goal is to leave the least visible ones possible.
How Long Does Liposuction Take?
Liposuction takes on average an hour per area, including the time spent injection tumescent fluid, allowing time for it to take effect, and performing the liposuction itself.
How Much Does Fat Removal Surgery Cost?
The cost for fat removal surgery will depend on many factors, including type of anesthesia, number of areas to be treated, and more. To provide you with accurate pricing information, we invite you to book a complimentary consultation with our Patient Care Coordinator by calling 310.205.0212. During that phone call, important information will be discussed and ballpark pricing will be provided.
Who is a Good Candidate for Liposuction in Beverly Hills?
Liposuction in Beverly Hills is one of the most popular procedures for both men and women. Genetics, diet, exercise, and lifestyle all influence how much fat we have, and where it is located. Even with optimal diet and exercise, there are areas that are resistant, like the love handles in many male and female patients.
Liposuction is a great tool to get rid of focal areas of fat, or sculpt and define the body, helping to change the overall proportions on one’s figure. Common reasons for having liposuction include:
- Unwanted fatty deposits in focal areas (under chin, love handles, abdomen, thighs, et cetera)
- Sculpting or chiseling out muscle contour on abdomen
- Correcting asymmetry
- Shaping the waist
Liposuction is not meant to be a primary method of weight loss. It is a contouring procedure, not a weight loss surgery. At the time of liposuction, it is best to be at a stable weight that is at or near your goal weight.
If you have good quality skin, the skin will contract around the new smaller figure, and this will happen over time as you heal. If your skin is loose or of poor quality to start, it will not predictably contract. In these cases, liposuction could actually make you look worse, since now you will be left with drooping skin.
Are There Different Types of Liposuction?
There are many different types of liposuction, including standard, power-assisted, laser-assisted, ultrasound-assisted. There are also a lot of companies marketing their brand name such as SmartLipo, SlimLipo, et cetera.
These are all variations of the above techniques, and each brand puts a lot of marketing dollars behind making you think their brand is the best kind of liposuction. None of the catchy liposuction names have proven to be better in the long-term than power-assisted liposuction in Beverly Hills, while the risks of laser-assisted and ultrasound-assisted liposuction are greater.
Some unwanted side effects that are possible with laser or ultrasound are thermal injury to the skin, dark discoloration of the skin over areas that were liposuction, burn at the liposuction cannula insertion site, irregular scarring of the skin down to the remaining tissue.
While all types may be effective in achieving great results, the risks are not equal. The bottom line is that each type of liposuction carries certain risks, and the type that is the best for you is often what is best in your surgeon’s hands. Dr. Patel prefers power-assisted liposuction due to safety and consistently excellent results.
How Much Fat is Removed?
The amount of fat removed will vary based on location and quality of the skin. What is more important than what is taken out is what is left behind. What is left is what determines your final contour, and you want to remove as much as you can to gain the contour you want (assuming it is reasonable for your body type), while not taking so much that it leaves you with an irregular contour or dents.
The volumes removed vary from patient to patient, and also depend on how many body areas are being treated. If high volume removal is expected, it is best to recover at an aftercare facility so that your fluid balance can be monitored and you can be given enough fluids through an IV if you are not taking enough by mouth.
How Big Are the Incisions?
The incisions used in Beverly Hills liposuction are very small, only a few millimeters long, and are typically closed with a single stitch at the end of the procedure. (Please note even “incision-less liposuction” involves creating openings in the skin to allow for the procedure, simply using a device other than a scalpel, to allow for that claim.)
Dr. Patel may put the incisions in different locations on either side of the body, to be less obvious that there was a procedure done.
The incisions tend to heal well and are not noticeable, however results will vary in each patient according to how their body heals.
What Are the Risks of Liposuction?
Liposuction is a safe procedure when performed by appropriately trained surgeons in an accredited facility.
Unfortunately many physicians who are not trained in liposuction have started to perform the surgery, offering lower fees by cutting corners that put your results, safety, and life at risk.
If you are looking around Beverly Hills for a doctor to do your liposuction, you should make sure the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and ask if she or he has experience with liposuction.
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