(941) 366-9818 Contact

Liposuction in Sarasota, FL

Contour your ideal body shape and get rid of stubborn fat deposits.

Liposuction provides slimmer contours by surgically extracting fat cells that cause unsightly bulges on areas such as the abdomen and neck. Many people are committed to exercise, healthy eating, and taking good care of their bodies overall but still see areas where improvements can be made. If you are dealing with fat deposits on the stomach, back, legs, or a variety of other areas on the body that you just can’t seem to eliminate with diet and exercise, consider liposuction at West Coast Plastic Surgery with Dr. Lambiris.

Board certified Florida plastic surgeon, Brandon Lambiris MD, is a premier provider for liposuction in Sarasota who boasts extensive training in body shaping procedures. He strives to deliver the best liposuction Sarasota has to offer. With surgical fat reduction, you can reap the physical and emotional benefits of having a slim, defined abdomen or neck, arms, and more.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a body sculpting procedure that entails the surgical removal of superficial fat through a cannula that applies suction through machine-assisted aspiration. While it won’t remove visceral fat around the organs or make an obese person healthy, it does sculpt and define the body contours so they appear notably slimmer.

sarasota liposuction model smiling

What are the Benefits of Liposuction?

Many times, even with effective exercise and healthy eating, there are stubborn areas of body fat that we can't seem to eliminate to the extent we would like. Liposuction is often used in conjunction with other procedures, which can address body challenges due to aging, post-pregnancy, and stubborn fat deposits. In addition, liposuction can also be used to fill areas that have lost a desired plumpness with age or illness, including the face and hands.

Liposuction can act as a solution to a wide variety of concerns through:

  • Flattening the belly
  • Slimming the hips
  • Reducing saddlebags
  • Sculpting a more defined jawline
  • Contouring the waist
  • Shaping the buttocks
  • Thinning legs and arms
  • Restoring facial fullness
  • Much more!

Who is a Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction is suitable for individuals who have reached and maintained a stable weight but struggle with resistant fat bulges that fail to respond to diet and exercise.

Ideal Sarasota liposuction candidates should have a normal body mass index, overall good health, and realistic expectations. Smokers must quit at least six weeks before and after the procedure. Liposuction focuses on removing fat; It does not noticeably tighten skin. Patients who have lax skin and excess fat may be better suited to body contouring procedures such as liposuction-assisted abdominoplasty or a neck lift with liposuction. Dr. Lambiris will review the different options that are available to you during your consultation.

Common aesthetic concerns that can be addressed with liposuction include the removal of stubborn fat in these common areas:

  • Stomach
  • Hips
  • Thighs
  • Upper and lower back
  • Bra area
  • Chin and neck

You could likely benefit most from liposuction if you are:

  • Focusing on fat removal, not skin tightening or weight loss
  • In need of contouring and shaping
  • Close to or at your goal weight and are overall healthy
  • Looking to remove stubborn fat deposits and understand the benefits and reasons for surgery

Combining Liposuction With Other Procedures

Liposuction is often used in conjunction with other procedures to heighten the effectiveness and strengthen the results of those surgeries.

For example, one method of breast augmentation involves performing liposuction on other parts of the body and then using those fat cells like a natural breast implant. Part of a mommy makeover includes removing fat deposits from unwanted areas like the thighs or hips and transferring that fat to sagging breasts or buttocks. Liposuction is a key component of abdominoplasty, where fat is removed as well as loose skin for an overall flatter, tighter abdominal area. During a butt lift procedure, fat deposits may be removed from the stomach or arms and then injected into the buttocks and sculpted to your preference. During a consultation, Dr. Lambiris can detail each option with you and craft a custom treatment plan.

sarasota liposuction model smiling

Liposuction Techniques Available At Westcoast Plastic Surgery

As with many types of cosmetic surgeries, different techniques are used to perform a procedure depending on the desired aesthetic, the patient’s body type, and numerous other factors. The same goes for liposuction, and Dr. Lambiris use a few different techniques for this procedure, including tumescent, wet, and super wet. Which technique is utilized depends on your needs and if additional surgical procedures are also being performed simultaneously.

Tumescent

The most common type of liposuction surgery performed, this method involves injecting a high volume of liquid local anesthetic solution into the fat areas to be removed. This fluid solution contains elements that numb the area, restrict blood loss, and make the removal of fat very easy. In some cases, general anesthesia may not be needed because of the effectiveness of the solution on the area.

Wet

When liposuction first became popular, the procedure was performed without the use of any added fluids or “dry” and often caused significant bleeding and bruising. Surgeons began to add small amounts of fluids to help reduce these side effects and make fat removal much easier. This is known as the “wet” method, which can be faster than tumescent or super-wet because there is less material to suction out, but does require general anesthesia.

Super Wet

This technique sits somewhere in between the first two. Less fluid is used than in tumescent liposuction, meaning that general anesthesia or sedation is typically needed. However, it takes less time to perform the liposuction itself.

Liposuction vs. Weight Loss Surgery

While liposuction and weight loss surgery may seem similar, they are actually very different procedures. The goal of liposuction is to remove subcutaneous fat deposits to slim and contour different areas of the body for cosmetic purposes. Weight loss surgery, such as bariatric surgery, is a medical surgery used to treat obesity by reducing the size of the stomach or altering some part of the digestive system. While they technically both ultimately reduce fat, liposuction is not a weight loss surgery, and they cannot and should not be used to address the same types of concerns.

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tucks

These two procedures are sometimes incorrectly used interchangeably, but they are not the same procedure. Liposuction is simply the removal of excess fat anywhere on the body using liposuction surgery. Although it often involves some amount of liposuction, a tummy tuck means that excess skin is being removed, and there is often abdominal muscle reconstruction. Because of this, a tummy tuck is a more complex surgery with more downtime.

sarasota liposuction model stretching her arms

Liposuction Procedure

Dr. Lambiris routinely performs liposuction on the abdomen, flanks, and neck areas. Before beginning liposuction Sarasota plastic surgeon, Dr. Lambiris administers oral sedation with local anesthesia or general anesthesia depending on the extent of fat removal.

He first marks the skin with a surgical pen, then applies tumescent fluid throughout the tissues. The tumescent fluid expands the tissues as well as reduces bleeding and trauma. He then makes tiny insertion points in the skin with the tip of a scalpel and passes a cannula through the skin and into the adipose layer. Using a controlled back and forth motion, he breaks apart the fat cells and removes the fat with machine-powered suction through a hollow tube.

Liposuction Recovery

Liposuction downtime is minimal. Abdominal liposuction may require three to five days off of work, while small areas such as the neck may require one to two days off work.

Bruising may occur and will typically resolve two weeks after liposuction. The tissues appear swollen immediately after the procedure; much of the swelling subsides in the first week and continues to go down in the next four to 12 weeks. To minimize swelling and promote optimal skin retraction, wear the compression garment as directed. The compression garment may be removed to shower.

sarasota liposuction model

Liposuction Results

Immediately after the fat removal procedure, many of our Sarasota liposuction patients can expect their tissues to appear slimmer.

You will see some bruising and swelling, which should dissipate after 7-10 days. Due to the initial swelling and the extent of the healing process, optimal results usually take several months to appear. While everyone heals differently and there is no way to speed up the healing process, it usually takes approximately three to six months to see the final result. Closely following instructions for aftercare, including wearing your compression garment, will help to ensure that there is no delay in healing due to complications. Maintaining your liposuction results can be achieved through healthy eating and exercise habits. The removal of fat cells during liposuction is permanent so if that fat is not replaced, the results of liposuction are lifelong.

Liposuction Cost

The cost of liposuction in Florida varies based on the type of liposuction as well as size and number of areas treated.

The national average cost varies greatly from $1500 to $15,000. The type of anesthesia has a significant impact on pricing. Some surgeons perform liposuction under local anesthesia, while others require full anesthesia, usually depending on what type of liposuction is used. The surgeon’s experience, equipment, and geographic location also affect pricing. To determine how much liposuction will cost based on your individual cosmetic goals, contact the office of Brandon Lambiris MD to schedule your consultation.

Consultation for Liposuction in Sarasota

To find out more about liposuction in Sarasota, we encourage patients to book a consultation with Dr. Brandon Lambiris today. Call (941) 366-9818 or click the booking link on this page to schedule your appointment. Dr. Lambiris is a top-rated plastic surgeon serving patients in Sarasota, North Port, Bradenton, and surrounding areas in Southwest Florida.

Liposuction FAQs

The cost of liposuction in Florida varies based on the type of liposuction as well as size and number of areas treated. The national cost ranges from $1,100 to $11,200. The type of anesthesia has a significant impact on pricing. Some surgeons perform liposuction under local anesthesia, while others require full anesthesia. The surgeon’s experience, equipment, and geographic location also affect pricing.To determine how much liposuction costs based on your individual cosmetic goals, contact the office of Brandon Lambiris MD to schedule your consultation.

Yes, in most cases Dr. Lambiris can safely perform liposuction in conjunction with other cosmetic surgical procedures. For example, liposuction pairs beautifully with tummy tucks for patients who have poor skin elasticity as well as resistant fat.

Insurance does not cover liposuction as it is a cosmetic procedure.

Dr. Lambiris may perform liposuction with local or general anesthesia. Small areas such as the neck do not require the use of general anesthesia.

Much of the inflammation resolves in the first four weeks although swelling may persist for several months. Compression garments are thought to alleviate any swelling.

The procedure itself is not painful due to anesthesia. Most patients report mild to moderate discomfort following liposuction. Post-operative discomfort may vary depending on the size and number of areas treated.

Most liposuction patients recover without incident. The size and number of areas treated, as well as whether you undergo adjacent procedures, are the main factors that affect how you feel in recovery. Dr. Lambiris strives to minimize tissue trauma so that you can have the most comfortable recovery possible. He may prescribe analgesics for pain relief as needed.

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes superficial fat. It does not reduce visceral fat and it won’t make you healthier. Diet, exercise, and in some cases bariatric surgery are the best approaches for treating obesity. After reaching a healthy BMI, liposuction may be considered to remove isolated fat bulges that don’t respond to diet and exercise efforts.

Liposuction is a low-risk procedure for eligible candidates. The most important step you can take is choosing a qualified Florida plastic surgeon such as Brandon Lambiris MD. While complications are possible no matter who performs your liposuction, a good surgeon knows how to manage them.

Liposuction permanently removes the treated fat. However, it does not stop new fat cells from forming. A healthy diet and exercise program is the best way to maintain the results and avoid future weight gain.

Exercise and strenuous activities are restricted for three to six weeks. While you may feel well enough to go to the gym, it is important to take this time to recover and then ease back into exercise gradually.

Liposuction risks may include infection, nerve damage, blood clots, scarring, hematoma, poor reaction to anesthesia, damage to deeper structures, rippling, and skin irregularities. Seroma and uncontrolled bleeding are rare but possible. As an experienced Sarasota plastic surgeon for liposuction, Dr. Lambiris takes routine precautions to maximize safety during the procedure. He also provides aftercare in the event of complications.

Since liposuction is performed using small tubes, you will have scars, but they are very small, and incisions are made in inconspicuous areas. If you are having liposuction along with another procedure, such as a tummy tuck, scars may be more significant.

The removal of fat cells during liposuction is permanent. If you regain weight, of course, you may end up with a new fat deposit in the previously treated area.

The most fat that can be removed in a single liposuction session is about 6-8 pounds. Since the goal of liposuction is body contouring, not weight loss, great results can be achieved even with only 3-4 pounds of fat removed.

Yes, liposuction is an effective way to get a flatter stomach and get rid of unwanted fat in the abdominal area.

Dr. Brandon Lambiris believes everyone deserves the opportunity to look their best. If you’ve dreamed of having plastic surgery to unlock your true potential, we encourage you to join us for a consultation. Experience the real difference plastic surgery can have on your life at West Coast Plastic Surgery in Sarasota, FL.

By submitting this you agree to be contacted by West Coast Plastic Surgery via text, call or email. Standard rates may apply. For more details, read our Privacy Policy.