Liposuction

Am I a Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction candidates are men and women struggling to remove stubborn fat pockets from various areas of their body. It is most beneficial for people struggling to lose minimal excess fat.

Liposuction will not help you lose large amounts of weight and is not considered a weight loss procedure. The best liposuction results tend to be achieved when patients are at or near their ideal weight before surgery.

To be a candidate for liposuction, you should:

• Be in generally good health
• Have firm, elastic skin
• Have realistic expectations of your results

While liposuction is a generally safe procedure, there is a greater risk for people with medical conditions or who recently underwent major surgery. Therefore, during your initial consultation, Dr. Borko will review your medical history to determine if you are a good candidate for liposuction.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Liposuction?

Liposuction patients should be at least 18 years old before undergoing surgery. While age is not a major consideration when determining your candidacy, older patients tend to have diminished skin elasticity, which can negatively affect their results. Because of this, younger and middle-aged patients with tighter skin often see the best results.

What Areas of the Body Can Be Treated With Liposuction?

Liposuction can be used on nearly any area of the body.

Common Liposuction Treatment Areas Include the:

• Abdomen
• Chest
• Back
• Chin
• Neck
• Upper arms
• Buttocks
• Flanks
• Hips
• Thighs

A consultation with Dr. Borko can help you determine which treatment areas will benefit most.

How Is Liposuction Performed?

Anesthesia
Depending on your specific needs for the procedure, liposuction can be performed using local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia to ensure your comfort.

What Is Tumescent Liposuction?
Tumescent liposuction, also known as wet liposuction, refers to the tumescent solution injected into the treatment area at the beginning of the procedure. This solution contains ingredients that constrict the blood vessels to decrease bleeding, an anesthetic for patient comfort, and saline to expand the fat tissue and make it easier to remove.

What Is Power-Assisted Liposuction?
Once Dr. Borko makes small incisions in or near the treatment area, he will insert a small cannula to suction out the fat. Dr. Borko uses power-assisted liposuction, which means the cannula is attached to a device that vibrates it rapidly to break apart the fat cells. This gives Dr. Borko more control to achieve optimal liposuction results, and it allows patients to have a shorter recovery.

How Long Does Liposuction Take to Perform?

The length of your liposuction procedure will depend on the amount of fat to be removed and the number of treatment areas. Generally, liposuction takes one to two hours to perform.

Does Liposuction Hurt?

Since liposuction is performed using anesthesia, you should not feel any pain during the procedure.

Patients often experience some pain, soreness, and discomfort during their recovery that can be easily managed with medication.

What Is the Recovery Like After Liposuction?

Liposuction recovery depends on the extent of the surgery and the number of areas treated. You should spend the first few days of your recovery resting. Patients can often return to work and other obligations within five to seven days. However, strenuous activity and exercise should be avoided for four to six weeks.

Any pain or discomfort felt during your recovery can be managed with prescription or over-the-counter medication.

What Results Can I Expect After Liposuction?

After liposuction, results will be visible almost immediately. However, you will need to wait for swelling and bruising to subside before fully enjoying your reduction in unwanted fat and overall slimmer appearance.

How Long Will My Liposuction Results Last?
Liposuction results are intended to be long lasting, but weight fluctuations can cause changes to your body. To prolong the results of liposuction, we recommend that patients follow a healthy lifestyle and avoid weight gain.

How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

Liposuction cost depends on the amount of correction needed and the number of treatment areas. The cost of liposuction will also depend on the specific techniques used, surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, and the procedure’s location. After a consultation with Dr. Borko, we can determine your specific liposuction price.

Is Liposuction Covered by Insurance?
Since liposuction is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is not typically covered by insurance.

Can I Combine Other Procedures With Liposuction?

Patients looking to contour their body with liposuction may be interested in undergoing additional procedures at the same time or in a series. Dr. Borko offers body lift surgery for patients with significant skin and tissue laxity in the hips, thighs, and buttocks. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) can also be performed in combination with liposuction to tighten the abdominal muscles and eliminate excess skin for a more flat, slender midsection.

Is Liposuction Dangerous?

When performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon such as Dr. Borko, liposuction is a generally safe procedure. However, as with any plastic surgery procedure, risks and potential side effects are present.

While rare, liposuction risks include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Numbness
• Fluid accumulation
• Anesthesia risks
• Bruising

If you are concerned about the risks of liposuction, Dr. Borko can address any concerns at your consultation.

Interested in Learning More About Liposuction?

If you are interested in learning more about how you can benefit from liposuction, please contact Dr. Borko’s office to schedule your consultation.