Liposuction

Are you frustrated by stubborn fat deposits that seem to stick around no matter how you diet or exercise?

If so, you may be a prime candidate for our Newport Beach Liposuction. Lipo is one of the most common (and yet among the most misunderstood) plastic surgery procedures.

Dr. Douglas Hendricks is a triple board-certified Newport Beach plastic surgeon and liposuction expert. At the Pacifica Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dr. Hendricks makes sure his patients understand how it works and what its limitations are before they undergo any procedure.

His pioneering work with Smartlipo and other lipo procedures has made him a source of knowledge for other plastic surgeons, who he routinely trains in these procedures. Learn more by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Hendricks online or by calling his office.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure where a hollow tube known as a “cannula” is inserted into the body through a tiny incision for the purpose of extracting fat from the body. The cannula is often attached to an aspirator that is used to pull the fat from the body through the tube.

There are many variations on this traditional model of lipo, including:

Suction-assisted liposuction
Suction-assisted liposuction is what most people think of when they think of lipo. Officially called “suction-assisted lipectomy“, suction-assisted liposuction is a procedure where fat is removed from the body from a cannula attached to an aspirator to create negative pressure.

Power-assisted liposuction
In this form of liposuction, a specific type of cannula that vibrates is used in the body. These vibrating wands allow more fat to be collected and removed with less energy compared to simple suction-assisted lipos. Power-assisted liposuction is generally used in difficult or scarred areas, or in “fat transfer” operations where fat is harvested from one location to be injected somewhere else in the body, such as with a fat transfer breast augmentation.

Water-jet-assisted liposuction
This technique uses a special wand that produces a fan-shaped jet of water and anesthetic into the body and then sucks out the fat with the solution.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction is used in areas where fat is difficult to remove, or in areas that have already been treated with lipo. In this method, an ultrasound emits pulses of energy into the body to break up difficult to remove fat for extraction through a specialized cannula.

Laser-assisted liposuction (Smartlipo)
Laser-assisted liposuction (also known as Smartlipo) uses a laser to liquefy and coagulate the fat inside the body during the procedure. The liquid is then either removed from the body or reabsorbed. The process increases the body’s ability to produce collagen in the treated area, resulting in tighter, smoother skin following the procedure. Dr. Hendricks is one of the nation’s premier Smartlipo practitioners. For more information on this innovative procedure, please contact us.

What Areas Can be Treated with Liposuction?

Dr. Hendricks offers multiple types of liposuction to address the specific needs of his patients and can guide you through the different lipo innovations that have been made through the years to determine exactly which liposuction procedure would best help you address pockets of stubborn fat. These fat deposits tend to form in several areas, including:

  • Chin
  • Thighs
  • Hips
  • Back
  • Abdomen
  • Calves/Ankles (“Cankles”)
  • Neck
  • Inner & Outer Thighs
  • Bra-Fat or Bra bulge
  • Arms
  • Male Chest
  • Mid & Upper Back
  • Upper Back Fat Hump (“Buffalo Hump”)

Is Liposuction Permanent?

Once the fat is removed from these areas, the results are long-lasting – and in many cases, permanent. However, liposuction does not prevent you from forming new fat cells in the area, so it is vital to make sure that liposuction is done as part of a comprehensive wellness plan that includes proper diet and exercise to make sure that you maintain your results.

During Liposuction Newport Beach plastic surgeon, Dr. Hendricks uses his expert-level knowledge of the human body to make sure that your procedure is done correctly and safely. He will provide you with vital aftercare instructions to help you maximize the benefits of your lipo procedure for years to come.

What Are the Benefits of Liposuction?

The most immediate benefits of this fat removal technique can be seen in the mirror following the procedure: pounds of stubborn fat – gone. The change is often subtle at first; like Dr. Hendricks says, “plastic surgery must always whisper – never scream!”

However, the results are often transformational. It is impossible to overstate how inspiring it feels to finally get rid of that stubborn belly fat and see your ideal self in the mirror. For many, it is literally a life-changing event. Since liposuction is often that final hurdle patients have to clear to reach their ideal bodies, once they are there, the motivation to maintain that look is easy to find.

As one of the leading liposuction practitioners in the country, Dr. Hendricks makes sure that his patients have all the information they need following their procedures to learn how to make this transformation permanent. The fat can come back without proper diet and exercise. Dr. Hendricks knows how to give his patients the best chance to keep that from happening.

Is Liposuction Safe?

Liposuction is considered a very safe procedure, with a low risk of side effects. That risk is further mitigated in the hands of a board-certified leader in the field like Dr. Hendricks. As a liposuction innovator who teaches other plastic surgeons the latest techniques, Dr. Hendricks is acutely aware of potential complications from liposuction and how to prevent them. 

Exactly how rare are these risks? A 2009 study found that out of more than three thousand cases, there were no deaths and no hospitalizations due to complications from liposuction. The overall risk of side effects from lipo was calculated at less than 1.6% in a similar study in 2015.

With low risk and transformational results, the popularity of the procedure has steadily grown. Lipo recently passed breast augmentation as the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States.

Can I combine Liposuction with other aesthetic procedures?

Liposuction is frequently combined with other procedures and treatments for a comprehensive result. When combined with a tummy tuck or a mommy makeover, liposuction is used first to reduce excess fat deposits, and then sagging skin is removed for a firm, toned appearance. Breast augmentation with fat transfer involves removing some fat from another part of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and grafting it into the breasts for a fuller look. Breast reduction typically uses liposuction to make overly large breasts smaller. Laser skin tightening procedures can also be used after liposuction if the skin in the treated area is only slightly loose and surgery is not needed. Overall, this procedure is very versatile and can be used alongside many other treatments.

See What Patients Like You Have to Say About The Benefits of Liposuction in Newport Beach, CA, With Dr. Hendricks

I am 12 days post-op from calf augmentation and knee and ankle lipo. I couldn't be happier with the results and the surgeon. After the initial consultation with Dr. Hendricks, I knew he was the one - I canceled my other consultations right after." "He is very easy to talk to, a great listener, attentive, welcoming, and is very skilled, knowledgeable, and has all the highest credentials as a surgeon. It is rare to find all of this in a surgeon, and this is why I picked him and will stick with him. Additionally, I am an aesthetic nurse and always get to hear about and share who does a good job in this industry. He will definitely be at the top. I will tell everyone I treat to see him!
Bre B.
San Diego, CA

What to Expect on the Day of Your Liposuction

It’s important to understand and follow the guidelines for liposuction preparation provided by your surgeon in order to see the best outcomes.

Prior to your appointment, you will be asked to fast, not eat or drink, for several hours, and there will be some medications that should be avoided. Be sure to inform your surgeon about all medications, supplements, or vitamins that you may be taking so they can ensure your safety. Wearing loose-fitting, comfortable clothes that are easy to get on with limited mobility is the best option for your appointment day.

At the surgical facility, you will be checked in, vital signs will be taken, and you’ll be sent to a pre-op area to change into a medical gown and give all personal items to your support person.

Liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and your surgeon’s recommendations. Once you are under anesthesia, your surgeon will make small incisions strategically placed in the treatment areas. A tumescent solution composed of saline, local anesthesia, and adrenaline may be injected into the target areas to facilitate fat removal and minimize bleeding. The surgeon will then use a thin, hollow tube called a cannula to break up and suction out the excess fat. This process reshapes and contours the treated areas to achieve the desired results.

After the procedure, you will be moved to a recovery area, where the medical team will monitor your vital signs and ensure you are waking up comfortably from anesthesia. It’s crucial to have a trusted friend or family member accompany you on the day of your liposuction to provide support and transportation back home.

Is Liposuction Right for You?

Are you close to your goal weight and just need to get rid of those last few stubborn areas of fat? That is when lipo is at its best and safest.

It is not recommended to attempt to remove more than 10 pounds of fat with lipo, as it increases the risk for a number of complications. Liposuction is not the ideal way to solve obesity, nor is it a weight-loss procedure. Rather, it is a way for those who are on the verge of their ideal weight to get to the finish line.

Regardless of where you are on your weight journey, talk to Dr. Hendricks about your body goals. He can steer you to the right solution to get from where you are to where you want to be.

liposuction frequently asked questions

Since lipo is performed using anesthetics, the procedure itself is not painful. Expect some discomfort for the next few days. Most people can return to work within a week post-procedure.
Liposuction is generally safe, but there are risks with any surgery. These risks include bleeding and anesthesia reaction.

The results from the procedure are permanent since the fat cells are completely removed from the body. While these fat cells cannot grow back, any existing fat cells can grow or shrink with weight fluctuations, so it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Liposuction should not be confused with a weight loss procedure since it is meant only for reducing targeted pockets of stubborn fat and body contouring. Only about 5 to 10 pounds at most of fat is removed during the procedure.
By itself, liposuction cannot treat cellulite. However, when used in combination with laser therapy, it can get rid of cellulite dimpling.
The tiny incisions used for lipo do leave scars. However, these liposuction scars are barely noticeable.
The cost of liposuction depends upon the size of the treatment area.
Since lipo is a cosmetic procedure, insurance will not cover it.

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