In my more than 20 years of performing liposuction, I’ve heard lots of reasons for deciding to have this long-lasting, highly successful body contouring procedure. For many of my patients, dramatically decreasing stubborn pockets of fat and bulges that no amount of diet and exercise could erase helps them feel younger, slimmer, more energetic...and more self-confident. For others, having liposuction motivates them to live a healthier lifestyle and let go of bad habits, such as smoking. Whatever the reason, liposuction can be a wonderful turning point in a person’s life.
However, it should not be seen as a magic wand that will immediately “fix” everything about a person’s life. As I tell my patients who are considering this procedure, make sure you have realistic expectations about what liposuction will, and won’t, do. In addition to liposuction, I also offer a wide range of other body sculpting procedures to help you achieve a more shapely body, which you can learn about here.
Really think about why you want to have liposuction
- What is your motivation?
Before undergoing liposuction, it's important that you already feel good about yourself in general and that what you are seeking is to lose unwanted fat and bulges in certain areas of your body for a more sculpted, shapely silhouette. You should not be expecting this procedure to give you an entirely new life. I like to say that liposuction is a beautiful gift you give yourself.
- Manage your expectations
Liposuction won't make your husband or wife return to you, nor will it make your boss give you a raise or promotion. It also won't make you look like your favorite movie star. Your age, muscle tone, level of fitness, body frame and the amount of fat you want to lose will ultimately determine the end result. Your goal should be to achieve the best you you can be.
- Be aware of your emotional state
If you're going through emotional trauma (loss of a spouse, divorce, depression), I would strongly recommend against having liposuction until you have had time to work through these issues. For a few days after liposuction, you will experience pain, bruising and discomfort, possibly to a large degree. If you're already feeling down, this could make you feel worse. A negative mental state can also impact your healing by suppressing your immune system. The result? Your body will take longer to heal.
- Have a good support system
While you are healing from liposuction, it is very helpful to have supportive people around you who can see you through the challenging first few days. I strongly advise against having this procedure completely on your own.
- Know the risks
Like any surgery, there are routine risks associated with liposuction, such as bleeding, bruising and infection. Make sure you are fully informed about what you are committing to and that you can handle a temporary setback. If a problem develops, we’ll need a strong doctor-patient relationship to deal with whatever action needs to be taken. Remember, we are partners going through this together.
- Have a clear idea of what you want
Before performing liposuction, I always ask patients to bring in photos of body shapes that they like. I have found that this greatly cuts down on miscommunication and misunderstandings. For that reason, I don’t put much value in computer-generated or airbrushed images because these “fantasy” results are rarely possible in the operating room. Most importantly, throughout the entire process from initial consultation to post-surgery recovery, I remind my patients to have realistic expectations of what their “new” body will look like so they will be truly happy with their results.
Once fat cells are removed with liposuction, they’re gone for good
During puberty, the number of fat cells in your body increases but after that, the number doesn't change. They can get bigger or smaller but they don't increase in number. Since fat cells do not reproduce, once they are eliminated through liposuction, they are permanently removed and will not be replaced.
The best areas of the body for liposuction
Liposuction can be performed on almost any part of the body but the most commonly requested areas are:
- cheeks, jowls and neck
- upper arms
- breast or chest areas
- back
- abdomen and waist
- hips and buttocks
- inner and outer thighs
- inner knees
- calves and ankles
Is liposuction safe?
A common question patients ask me about liposuction is: is it safe? Like any procedure, there are some risks involved, but if you’re healthy, without medical problems, a non-smoker, you’re in good shape, and you’re having the procedure done in the right location with the right surgeon, the procedure can be done very safely.
I perform liposuction at the Surgical Specialty Center of Westchester
For almost every plastic surgery procedure I perform, including liposuction, I use the Surgical Specialty Center of Westchester. Located in Harrison, NY, the Surgical Specialty Center has four operating rooms and an 11-bed recovery room. 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. To learn more, watch this short video by clicking here or on the image below.
How much does liposuction cost?
Because everyone’s body is unique and the amount and location of fat to be removed with liposuction varies from person to person, the exact cost of this procedure is determined after I have met with the patient and together, we have decided how many areas of the body are good candidates for liposuction in order to achieve the best possible results.
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.
To know more about liposuction, read these 3 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:
- Kiss Your Saddlebags And Love Handles Goodbye With Liposuction!
- What Areas Of The Body Are Best For Liposuction? Take Your Pick!
- What’s The Difference Between CoolSculpting And Liposuction?
Learn 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:
- Body Procedures
- Butt Augmentation
- Brazilian Butt Lift
- CoolSculpting
- EmSculpt®
- Liposuction
- Lower Body Lift
- Mommy Makeover
- Tummy Tuck
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.
