17 Things You Should Know About Liposuction

Liposuction first became a household word of the English language in the early 1980s. Ever since then the country hasn’t stopped talking about it, even though the technology behind it has evolved considerably. How, exactly, is liposuction performed in the year 2019, and what are the important things you should know before having liposuction? The NuBody team has put together a list of answers for you.

We have grouped the questions around different topics related to liposuction – the procedure itself, its cost, and the recovery afterwards.

Being Eligible for Liposuction

1. How old do you have to be to get liposuction?

We require that our cosmetic surgery patients are at least 18 years old, and this includes liposuction. There is no upper age limit: if you have a healthy lifestyle but belly fat or arm flab that bothers you, are medically cleared for surgery, and are not considered obese, you are an ideal candidate for liposuction (check your BMI here).

2. Can I have liposuction if I want to have more children?

Yes. Liposuction does not interfere with your ability to go through pregnancy and childbirth. Also, the fat that was removed with liposuction will not come back when you become pregnant.

3. Do I need insurance to have liposuction?

In most cases liposuction is not covered by insurance. Having no insurance will not affect your procedure with NuBody Concepts. Outside of the cost of your procedure, we may ask that you fill some prescriptions for generic medication at the pharmacy of your choice.

The Liposuction Procedure

4. How does liposuction work?

In a nutshell, liposuction breaks up and removes fat cells from under your skin. At NuBody Concepts, we customize your fat removal by combining water-based and laser liposuction, helping both with the removal of fat and the tightening of skin. The fat removed with liposuction remains permanently gone.

5. Does liposuction require general anesthesia?

Liposuction as performed by NuBody Concepts is an outpatient procedure that does not require general anesthesia. In fact, it is so minimally-invasive that it can be performed without any anesthesia, although as needed or requested we may administer IV sedation.

6. Is CoolSculpting a form of liposuction?

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure that aims to freeze fat cells so that your body can eliminate them over time, typically after a series of treatments. It is not the same as liposuction, which physically removes fat cells in a single surgical procedure. Also see our Liposuction vs CoolSculpting comparison.

7. Is liposuction painful?

While the movement of the cannula may cause slight discomfort, most patients find the procedure easy to endure. Nevertheless, your surgeon may administer light to moderate sedation based on your preference and the number of areas treated.

8. Can I have several areas treated in one liposuction procedure?

Yes, several areas of liposuction can be treated in a single procedure. Our patients often have questions about what makes up an area, so here is a quick breakdown: We consider the abdomen as 2 areas – the upper abdomen above the belly button, and the lower abdomen below. Both outer thighs are considered one area, the same for both inner thighs. Your sides or flanks make up one area, and so do your arms. Basically any area that mirrors itself counts as one, such as backs of legs, arms, knees, sides, and bra rolls.

The Cost of Liposuction

9. How much does liposuction cost?

While we cannot give you a quote without a personal consultation with our plastic surgeon, we do have a baseline price for liposuction. It starts at $3,600 for one area and is discounted as you add more areas, i.e. $5,200 for two areas, and $6,500 for three areas. We typically suggest IV sedation for 4 areas or more – please call us for pricing.

10. How can I qualify for interest-free financing to pay for my procedure?

We can help you submit your application in office during your consultation. The approval process is easy and similar to applying for a credit card. It requires a credit check, meaning a reasonable credit score will be helpful in getting approved. It takes less than five minutes and you will have an answer instantly.

11. Are there any extra fees I need to consider when having liposuction?

At NuBody Concepts, we always quote all-inclusive prices without any hidden fees. However, if you compare quotes with other providers, make sure that you ask if they charge additional fees not listed in your quote, such as anesthesia or surgeon fees, facility surcharges, and costs for post-surgery garments.

Recovery from Liposuction

12. How soon can I exercise after liposuction?

You can resume exercise as soon as you feel up to it. Most patients take a day off from work (or schedule their procedure for a Friday). You are typically ready to resume your normal daily activity the following day. You may be a little sore for a few days, depending how many areas you had treated.

13. Does liposuction cause any bruising or swelling?

Bruising after a liposuction procedure is typically minimal, given its gentle nature. Some swelling can be expected in the days afterwards. We provide a compression garment that will help with discomfort and swelling.

Liposuction Results

14. How much weight can I lose with liposuction?

Liposuction is not a weight loss program. Some people are disappointed when learning they need to lose weight before undergoing the procedure. It is most effective for patients who have trouble getting rid of stubborn pockets of fat despite diet and exercise.

15. How soon will I see results after liposuction?

There is an immediate effect after your procedure: The fat that was removed from your body can be measured in an actual jar. Most patients see the first effects on their figure within two weeks, but the most striking results typically occur at the six-week mark. This is when you have your checkup appointment and compare before and after pictures.

16. Can I get any scars from liposuction?

Liposuction surgery typically requires the insertion of a tiny cannula under the patient’s skin. To this end, the surgeon makes several small incisions in each area. They do not require any stitches and typically heal without scarring.

17. Are liposuction results permanent?

Yes. The fat cells that are removed via liposuction remain permanently gone. However, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular diet and exercise to keep new fat cells from forming. Most patients find that their newly contoured body is great motivation to maintain such a lifestyle.

We hope that we have answered many of your liposuction questions so that you can make a more informed decision. If you need to know more, please call our office to schedule a personal consultation.

If you are looking for liposuction in Nashville, please contact our Nashville Cosmetic Surgery Practice for a consultation. To schedule a consultation for liposuction in Memphis, please contact our Memphis Cosmetic Surgery Practice.