Lipo, Liposuction, & Fat Grafting: All the Craze at the Office Lately

Let’s talk about a procedure that is becoming increasingly popular at Derrick Plastic Surgery in Plano, Texas. It’s LIPOSUCTION! It’s always been a hit, but lately it seems as though most patients want to add liposuction or lipo in either the breast, body, or facial cosmetic plastic surgery procedure. Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to remove excess fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, or neck. The goal is to reshape and contour these areas, offering a more proportional and defined appearance. On e of my personal favorite areas to liposuction is the flanks (the sides of the stomach). Most men and women have stubborn fat that accumulates and settles there. Removing those fat deposits helps achieve a flatter, more toned stomach.  Here's an overview of what the procedure is like:

1-The patient is administered either general or local anesthesia. This depends on the amount of fat that is being removed, the area(s) being treated, as well as if any other cosmetic procedures are being done. 

2-The plastic surgeon inserts the liposuction tool (cannula) to begin to break up the fat cells and remove them using the suctioned tool. 

3-The plastic surgeon can then have the fat treated, so only the best cells are harvested for injection into another area of the body, such as the face, breast, or buttocks. 

What is recovery like? It’s common for patients to report bruising, swelling, and some pain or discomfort after the procedure. Medications are given to help assist with the pain. I ask my patients to wear a compression garment to help with swelling and also to help guide the contours of the body. There is minimal downtime with liposuction, with most patients returning to light activities within a few days and more intense physical activities after a few weeks. The bruising and swelling can take a few weeks to subside.

Are there any risks with liposuction? Yes, there are such as uneven contours, fluid accumulation, infection, and numbness. Make sure you go to a board certified plastic surgeon (not the same thing as a cosmetic surgeon, they do NOT have the same training and regulatory bodies, there’s a reason plastic surgery is one of the hardest areas to get into, you really have to understand what you are doing). 

Now that we have gone over the basics, let’s talk about what I am really seeing in the office lately. Many patients are adding liposuction to breast procedures, whether that is liposuction of the axillas or liposuction of the stomach (particularly the flank area) and then sometimes injecting the fat into the breast.

For my facial plastic surgery patients including those that are undergoing a facelift, necklift, and blepharoplasty, majority are opting for liposuction of the stomach as well (still that flank area) and then injecting the fat back into their face to help restore lost volume (particularly under the eyes and at the cheekbone point). 

For my mommy makeover patients, I often suggest liposuction since it will allow the patient to achieve the result they are desiring. Most women (and men) collect these fat deposits as we age, and the best way to combat them is to remove them. I often add liposuction of the stomach, inner thighs, axillas (armpit area), and sometimes the back if needed). 

I’m a big fan of liposuction. It works and patients report being pleased with their results after surgery. If you are considering liposuction come meet the team at Derrick Plastic Surgery and see if we can help you reach those body goals!