Liposuction
Refined body contouring with a calm, personalized approach
Liposuction is a surgical body contouring procedure that removes targeted pockets of fat to create smoother, more balanced lines. It is designed for areas that do not respond easily to diet and exercise, helping to refine your natural shape rather than change who you are.
At our Sherman Oaks practice, liposuction is approached with a focus on personalized planning, safety, and natural-looking results. During a one-on-one consultation, your provider will learn about your goals, evaluate your anatomy, and recommend a thoughtful treatment plan tailored to you. The aim is to gently sculpt areas of concern while maintaining proportions that feel authentic and comfortable for your body. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method, but it can be a meaningful finishing step for people who want a more refined silhouette.
During liposuction, your comfort and safety are carefully prioritized from start to finish. The procedure typically begins with anesthesia, which may involve local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the areas being treated, your health history, and your preferences. These details are discussed in advance so you understand exactly what will happen and feel confident in the plan.
Once you are comfortable, your surgeon makes a few small incisions in discreet locations. A slender instrument called a cannula is then used to gently loosen and remove unwanted fat, allowing your contours to be sculpted with attention to proportion and symmetry. Common treatment areas include the abdomen, waist, flanks, thighs, arms, back, and under the chin or along the neck. After the fat is removed, the small incisions are closed, and you will be guided into a compression garment to support healing. Every aspect, from anesthesia choice to technique and treatment zones, is tailored to your needs after an in-person evaluation.
For the right candidate, liposuction can be a thoughtful way to refine areas that feel out of balance with the rest of the body. It focuses on targeted fat reduction, helping to smooth bulges and create a more streamlined silhouette without changing your overall size dramatically.
Liposuction is designed to address specific areas that do not respond well to diet and exercise, such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or under the chin. By selectively removing fat in these zones, your provider can fine-tune your contours instead of relying on generalized weight loss.
Thoughtful liposuction focuses on balance. The goal is to blend treated areas smoothly with the rest of your figure so your results look natural from every angle. Even subtle changes can help clothing fit more comfortably and align your outer shape with how you feel on the inside.
Many patients choose to address more than one region in a single procedure, such as the abdomen and flanks or thighs and knees. Treating connected areas at the same time can support more harmonious, continuous contours.
Fat cells removed during liposuction do not grow back. While remaining fat cells can still enlarge with weight gain, maintaining a stable lifestyle helps you enjoy your refined contours over the long term. Your team will review strategies to support your results in a sustainable way.
Liposuction is performed through small incisions, which are typically placed in natural folds or less visible areas whenever possible. All surgery involves scarring, but these incisions are usually shorter than those required for larger excisional procedures such as tummy tucks or body lifts.
Liposuction of the abdomen and waist can help soften fullness in the lower belly, upper abdomen, or along the waistline. Treatment in this area is often chosen by people who maintain a healthy routine but still notice a persistent "pouch" or love handles. It targets fat just beneath the skin, not internal or visceral fat, and does not tighten loose skin, so skin quality and elasticity are important considerations.
Flank liposuction focuses on the sides of the waist, often called love handles, as well as the lower back. Smoothing these areas can create a more defined waistline and a cleaner transition into the hips. It is especially helpful for people who feel that these side bulges show through fitted clothing, despite diligent efforts with diet and exercise.
Liposuction can be used on the inner and outer thighs to reduce rubbing, soften saddlebag areas, and create a more streamlined leg profile. The focus is on smoothing localized pockets of fat, not lifting the skin or treating significant laxity. Your provider will evaluate your skin tone and overall proportions to determine whether thigh contouring is an appropriate option.
Upper arm liposuction is often chosen by those who notice fullness that persists even with strength training. By carefully reducing fat along the back or outer portion of the arm, the goal is to create a lighter, more tapered appearance. Liposuction alone does not tighten loose or significantly sagging skin, so in some cases a different or combined procedure may be recommended.
Liposuction beneath the chin and along the upper neck can soften a double chin and bring out the natural angle between the jawline and neck. This treatment targets subcutaneous fat in the area and is best suited to people with reasonably good skin elasticity, as it does not directly treat loose skin or banding in the neck.
Ideal candidates for liposuction are generally healthy adults who are close to their preferred weight but notice specific areas that feel disproportionate. These might include small bulges at the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, or under the chin that remain despite mindful eating and regular activity. Good skin elasticity supports smoother, more even contours after fat removal.
Liposuction is not intended as a primary weight-loss method or a solution for significant loose skin. People with substantial skin laxity, certain medical conditions, or active smoking habits may be better served by different or combined procedures, or by focusing on health optimization first. During your consultation, your provider will review your medical history, examine your areas of concern, and talk through what liposuction can realistically achieve for your body. The goal is to recommend a plan that aligns with both your safety and your long-term satisfaction.
Recovering from liposuction is a gradual process, and it is normal to experience soreness, swelling, and bruising in the treated areas during the first days and weeks. You will typically wear a compression garment to support the tissues, help manage swelling, and encourage smooth contouring as your body heals. Most people feel ready to return to light, desk-based work within about one to two weeks, although this can vary depending on the extent of treatment and your individual healing pattern.
More physically demanding jobs and exercise are usually resumed in stages, guided by your provider. Gentle walking is encouraged early on, while higher-intensity workouts and heavy lifting are introduced later as your comfort improves. Follow-up visits allow your team to monitor your progress, answer questions, and adjust recommendations as needed. Swelling continues to settle over several weeks to months, with your shape becoming more defined over time. Throughout your recovery, you will receive clear post-procedure instructions and ongoing support so you know what to expect and when to reach out.
As early swelling begins to improve in the weeks after liposuction, you will gradually notice changes in the treated areas. Clothes may fit differently, and certain bulges may appear softer or slimmer. These early improvements continue to refine over several months as your tissues settle and residual swelling diminishes, revealing your more defined contours.
The fat cells removed during liposuction are gone permanently; however, remaining fat cells in your body can still enlarge if you gain weight. Maintaining a stable weight, staying active, and following a balanced lifestyle help support long-lasting results. During your consultation, you and your provider will discuss your aesthetic goals in detail so that your treatment is designed to look natural for your frame. While liposuction cannot promise perfection, it can offer a thoughtful, lasting enhancement when paired with realistic expectations and healthy habits.
Like any surgical procedure, liposuction carries risks, which may include infection, bleeding, contour irregularities, fluid accumulation, changes in sensation, or complications related to anesthesia. These concerns are taken seriously and are discussed with you in detail before any decisions are made, so you have a clear understanding of both benefits and limitations.
Safety begins with a thorough consultation and review of your medical history, medications, and lifestyle factors such as smoking. Careful planning, conservative decision-making, and meticulous technique help reduce risk, as does choosing an appropriate setting for your procedure. You will receive specific instructions on how to prepare, which medications or supplements to avoid, and how to care for yourself afterward. Following these guidelines closely, attending your follow-up visits, and staying in close communication with your care team all play an important role in supporting a smooth recovery and the best possible outcome for you.
No. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure, not a weight-loss method. It is designed to remove localized pockets of fat that remain despite healthy habits, helping to refine shape and proportion rather than significantly change the number on the scale. For best results, candidates are typically close to their preferred weight and use liposuction as a finishing step to address specific areas that feel out of balance.
The right approach depends on your goals, the amount and location of fat, your skin quality, and how quickly you would like to see changes. Liposuction is a surgical option that can remove a larger volume of fat in a single procedure and often provides more noticeable reshaping. Non-surgical treatments usually work gradually over a series of sessions and are best for more modest changes. During your consultation, your provider will review both surgical and non-surgical options and help you decide which best fits your comfort level, schedule, and desired outcome.
Liposuction uses small incisions to insert the cannula, so you can expect several short scars in or near the treated areas. These are typically placed in natural creases or less visible locations whenever possible. All scars go through a healing and maturation process, often appearing pink or firm at first before softening and fading over time. You will receive specific instructions on incision care, and your provider may recommend strategies to support the best possible scar appearance for your skin.
Liposuction targets excess fat just beneath the skin; it does not directly treat cellulite or significantly tighten loose skin. In some cases, removing fat can make dimpling or laxity more noticeable if the skin is already quite loose. If you are concerned about cellulite, skin laxity, or stretch marks, your provider may suggest combining liposuction with other treatments or choosing a different procedure that better addresses those issues.
Recovery timelines vary, but many people feel comfortable returning to office-based work within about one to two weeks, sometimes sooner for very small treatment areas. Soreness, swelling, and bruising are common in the early stages. Light walking is usually encouraged soon after surgery, while more strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are added back gradually over several weeks as your provider clears you. Your exact timeline will depend on how many areas were treated, your overall health, and how your body heals.
Preparation begins with a detailed consultation and medical evaluation. You may be asked to complete lab work, adjust certain medications, stop smoking if applicable, and avoid specific supplements or blood-thinning agents for a period of time before surgery. You will also receive guidance on arranging help at home, planning time away from work, and setting up a comfortable space for recovery. Following these instructions closely supports your safety and helps create the conditions for a smoother experience.
The fat cells that are removed during liposuction are permanently gone; they do not regenerate. However, remaining fat cells in your body can still expand or shrink with weight changes. This means your results are most likely to be long-lasting when you maintain a relatively stable weight and continue healthy habits. Over time, normal aging and lifestyle factors can still influence your shape, but many patients enjoy a lasting improvement in contour compared with their pre-procedure appearance.
