What is liposuction?

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of excess fat from specific areas of the body. The procedure is typically used to contour the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks and other areas where diet and exercise alone have not been successful. Liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that can help people achieve a slimmer and more proportional body shape.

What liposuction can treat

Liposuction techniques may be used to reduce localized fat deposits of the:

• Abdomen and waist
• Back
• Calves and ankles
• Chest area
• Face, cheeks, chin and neck
• Hips and buttocks
• Inner knee
• Thighs
• Upper arms

Liposuction can be performed alone or along with other plastic surgery procedures, such as a facelift, breast reduction or a tummy tuck.

What liposuction can't do

Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. Liposuction works for people of normal weight who have some extra fat. If you have firm, elastic skin, you will have better results. Skin that is soft and thin from stretch marks, weight loss or natural aging will not reshape as well. You may need more surgeries to remove and tighten extra skin. It is also not an effective treatment for cellulite.