Liposuction Procedure

Abdomen and waist (“love handles”)

Liposuction for the abdomen helps reduce stubborn bulges around the stomach and shape the waistline. Treating the “love handles” at the same time can create a smoother, more balanced midsection.

Hips and thighs (“saddlebags”)

Fat around the hips and thighs often lingers despite healthy habits. Liposuction can contour these areas for better proportion, and inner thigh treatment may also help reduce chafing.

Arms and back (bra rolls)

Fullness in the upper arms or fat along the bra line can be challenging to slim with exercise alone. Liposuction smooths these areas, helping clothing fit more comfortably.

Chin and neck

Even small amounts of fat under the chin can affect the profile. Liposuction in this area sharpens definition with only minimal incisions.

A good liposuction candidate is a patient who may be slightly overweight or just at a normal weight, who has deposits of fat that are out of proportion with the rest of the body and don’t respond to diet and exercise.

Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It’s intended for contouring rather than overall weight reduction. Candidates should be in good general health, able to follow pre- and post-operative instructions, and realistic about outcomes. Dr. Cherup emphasizes safe, medically sound decisions to achieve the best aesthetic results.

Dr. Cherup will mark the areas to be addressed in the pre-op area. You will be prepped with an antiseptic wash on your body in the operating room, and then you will lie down on a sterile operating room table and go to sleep under general anesthesia.

Very small incisions in areas hidden by a swimsuit will allow our tumescent fluid to be infused into the fat, providing vasoconstriction and some anesthesia. The VASER will be used to soften the fat and tighten the skin. Fat will then be removed from many directions with thin liposuction cannulas. Dr. Cherup checks your contours many times during the surgery to ensure the correct amount is removed and left in place from each area being treated.

The incisions are closed with two sutures each. Small dressings and a liposuction garment complete the surgery.

Liposuction recovery is like recovering from a bruise. Your skin will be swollen and slightly numb, and you will feel stiff wherever we suctioned the fat. Two days after surgery, you will be allowed to take a shower and replace your small bandages with Band-Aids.

The most important thing is positioning: lying with your legs elevated, your trunk relatively flat, and your head elevated. You must get up and walk every two hours for at least 10 minutes. Otherwise, you will be horizontal for two to three days, and driving is prohibited. Sitting is the worst thing you can do because it will promote abdominal and leg swelling and deep vein thrombosis.

You can probably return to work in seven to ten days unless you have an extremely physical job. You will wear your liposuction garment, washing it daily, for three to four weeks. Eighty percent of the swelling will disappear in one month, but it takes almost four months for all the swelling to dissipate.

How Dr. Cherup reduces potential risks

Dimpling and denting of the skin can occur if the skin has very poor elasticity and too much fat is removed. This risk is uncommon in Dr. Cherup’s hands. In fact, Dr. Cherup can frequently correct these dimpling and denting problems caused by previous liposuction surgery.

Sometimes, the skin over the liposuctioned area experiences a profound loss of sensation. This occurs more frequently in regions with a considerable reduction. The sensation almost always returns to normal within two to four months. Discoloration from the bruising can persist for up to two months but usually resolves.

The most serious risk from liposuction is deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to a pulmonary embolus. While potentially fatal, it is usually treatable if caught early. Prevention measures include having the surgery performed on an outpatient basis so that you are up and walking within one hour after the surgery; applying compression boots during the surgery to pump the calves of your legs, and keeping yourself hydrated and in the appropriate horizontal position.

Of course, if you have a tendency to clot or bleed too much and it runs in your family, Dr. Cherup will ask you about this during your initial consultation.

Here are some of the key benefits you can expect from liposuction:

• Targeted fat removal: Focuses on stubborn areas that don’t respond to diet or exercise
• Improved body contours: Creates smoother, more balanced proportions
• Versatility: Can treat multiple areas in a single procedure, from the abdomen to the chin, and is often combined with a tummy tuck or mommy makeover for more comprehensive results
• Long-lasting results: Removed fat cells do not return, especially when paired with a healthy lifestyle
• Quick recovery: Most patients return to regular routines within days to weeks
• Boost in clothing fit: Helps clothes sit more comfortably and naturally on your frame