Liposuction Results

Full liposuction results will be visible several months after surgery. Liposuction is designed to improve the shape of your body and is not an effective cosmetic surgery option for significant weight loss. Small pockets of fat unresponsive to exercise, however, can be effectively treated.

Initial Liposuction Results

Immediately after liposuction, the patient will see the results of surgery. Usually, up to 10 pounds of fat can be removed, resulting in a noticeably more pleasing body contour. Liposuction can remove stubborn fat deposits from small areas for an aesthetic improvement, but should not be expected to dramatically alter your overall weight or appearance.

Initial liposuction results may seem minimal. This is standard, as swelling and bruising add to the recovery time that is necessary after liposuction to see the desired results. Most physicians will ask the patient to wear a compression garment to aid in recovery. This will help reduce the long-term effects of post-liposuction swelling, bruising, and scarring.

How Long Does It Take to See Optimal Results?

Side effects such as swelling can last for weeks and often months after liposuction, obscuring the results of surgery. Skin in the treated area may also appear loose, as it takes time for your body to adjust to its new, slender shape. It may take one to three months for swelling and bruising to subside and up to six months for skin to tighten over the area from which fat has been removed. The finished liposuction results should be visible after six months. It is important to remember that liposuction benefits are not exclusively aesthetic; indeed, liposuction can be the first step toward a healthier, more active lifestyle for the patient. Many patients begin strict diet and exercise regimes to maintain results after liposuction.

Visit the DocShop gallery to view liposuction before and after photos.

Photo credit: Aesthetic Day Surgery

Liposuction Scars

Many patients are concerned with liposuction and the amount of scarring that will be apparent after healing. With the new, less invasive techniques in liposuction, scars can be minimized and hidden in parts of the body where they will not be noticeable. Scars from liposuction are typically much smaller than with other cosmetic surgeries. Usually, liposuction scars are no longer than a quarter of an inch in length. This is because an incision will be only made large enough for the cannula to be inserted. The scars will begin to fade in the weeks following surgery. It is a good idea to discuss your concerns regarding liposuction scars and bruising during your initial consultation with your physician. Although these are minor concerns in the scheme of the surgery, they are still aesthetically important and should be addressed. Patients should fully understand post-liposuction side effects, including bruises and swelling, before undergoing the procedure.

Liposuction Popularity

Even though there are some risks to the procedure, the numbers speak for themselves. For the past decade, liposuction has been one of the top five surgical procedures performed in the United States. Though the number of procedures performed each year has been decreasing since 2004, this can be attributed to the recession and the development of less-invasive body contouring techniques such as Thermage® and VelaShape™. However, liposuction is still one of the most effective fat removal methods on the market, and hundreds of thousands of American patients undergo the procedure each year.

Liposuction Popularity in the Last 10 Years
# of Procedures	Year
289,016	2010
198,251	2009
245,138	2008
301,882	2007
302,789	2006
323,605	2005
324,891	2004
320,022	2003
282,876	2002
275,463	2001

Find a Liposuction Surgeon in Your Area

To determine what results you can expect from liposuction surgery, contact a liposuction surgeon in your area. Results may vary depending on your body type, the liposuction procedure you choose, and other factors.