Is Liposuction Safe? Yes And Here's Why

When I am asked if liposuction is safe, my answer is yes

In over 20 years of performing liposuction in my plastic surgery practice, I have encountered very few complications in my patients as a result. In fact, what I have observed in both men and women who have had this procedure is that it has been a wonderful turning point in their lives, boosting their self-esteem and enabling them to feel confident about their bodies, sometimes for the first time.

For people who have stubborn pockets of fat and unwanted bulges that diet and exercise have not been able to resolve, liposuction can be a very satisfying solution. By eliminating these problem areas, liposuction helps them look slimmer, more shapely and more attractive. In addition, having liposuction is the motivation many people need to commit to a healthier lifestyle and let go of bad habits, such as smoking and overeating.

In addition to liposuction, I also offer a wide range of other body sculpting procedures to help you achieve a more contoured body. To learn more, click here.

Addressing liposuction in the news

Recently, westchester.news12.com posted an article about a Westchester woman who died in the Dominican Republic as a result of having liposuction there. According to the article, “The Dominican Republic was recently named one of the most dangerous countries to have surgery, but many still make the trip for medical procedures because it can cost thousands of dollars less than in the United States.”

I’d like to now address any concerns people might have about the safety of liposuction by stating that it is not worth it, and possibly dangerous, to go to other countries for liposuction or any plastic surgery in order to save money. Staying in the U.S. and having a procedure at a reputable, fully-accredited medical facility performed by a licensed, highly experienced plastic surgeon is the best choice.

I perform procedures at the Surgical Specialty Center of Westchester

For almost every plastic surgery procedure I perform, I use the Surgical Specialty Center of Westchester. The standard of excellence in the region, this technologically advanced, state-of-the-art facility was specifically designed by our group of surgeons (Cosmetic Surgery Associates) to provide our patients with the highest level of care, valued privacy and optimal surgical results.

Located in Harrison, NY, the Surgical Specialty Center has an 11-bed recovery room and four operating rooms. Each operating room is fully equipped with state-of-the-art anesthesia (provided by a board-certified anesthesiologist), emergency equipment and everything else I and my surgical team need to provide the highest standard of care to each one of our patients.

As well as the anesthesiologist, there are two other professionals on hand during every procedure: a scrub technician and a highly-trained and experienced registered nurse. However, I myself perform every incision and every stitch. The Surgical Specialty Center is Medicare approved, state licensed and meets all current requirements at the top level of New York State.

To learn more about the Surgical Specialty Center of Westchester, watch this short video by clicking on the image below.

My credentials as a plastic surgeon

Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), I am a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). With over 20 years’ experience and a thorough command of the most advanced surgical techniques and technologies, I consistently provide my patients with the highest level of plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, skin and body. In addition, I am on staff at White Plains Hospital, Northern Westchester Hospital and Lennox Hill Hospital.

What happens during liposuction surgery

During the liposuction procedure, body fat is extracted by first inserting a small, hollow tube (a cannula) through one or more tiny incisions near the area to be suctioned. Incisions are usually less than one-quarter inch in length and are placed in places where they will be least noticeable, often within skin folds or contour lines. The cannula is connected through a tube to a vacuum pressure unit. Guided by a plastic surgeon, the suction device then vacuums away your unwanted fat.

If you do gain weight after the procedure, the fat cells that were not removed and are still in your body might increase in size, but there are not nearly as many of them as before. Liposuction reduces the number of your fat cells by 80-90%, which is a significant amount.

To help you better understand liposuction and what it could do for you, I’ve made a short video explaining how it works which you can watch by clicking on the image below.

Are you a good candidate for liposuction?

Here’s what I say to my patients who are considering this type of body contouring procedure: If you’re currently in fairly good shape, you exercise, and you have a few areas of your body that you want trimmed and sculpted, liposuction may be for you.

However, you should know that liposuction is not a weight loss program and is not meant for patients who are obese. The best candidates for this procedure are those who are already within 30% of their ideal body weight. Furthermore, people should resort to liposuction only after they have tried other means of losing weight, particularly diet and exercise.

For more facts about liposuction, I recommend these 4 blogs

So you can be fully informed before you decide to have liposuction, I’ve written several blogs explaining the procedure and its benefits. Here are the three most popular ones:

Are you considering liposuction?

If you are thinking about having liposuction, please contact me for a free consultation where you’ll hear about all your options and have the opportunity to ask as many as questions as you like. I have performed hundreds of liposuction procedures and am highly experienced in this specialized type of plastic surgery. Deciding to have liposuction is an important decision and I am dedicated to helping you achieve the beautiful body you’ve always wanted.

Learn more about the many body contouring procedures I offer

There are several body procedures available to you in my plastic surgery practice. To learn more, please visit these pages on my website:

Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Samuel J. Beran, MD is a highly accomplished plastic surgeon with offices in Manhattan, Harrison and Mount Kisco, NY. With more than 20 years’ experience and a thorough command of the most advanced techniques and technologies, Dr. Beran consistently provides his patients with the highest level of plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, skin and body. Recently, Dr. Beran was named a “Top Doctor” by RealSelf for his dedication to responding to consumer questions and patient feedback. The “Top Doctor” designation is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf physician community.

Harrison & Valhalla: (914) 761-7070