Liposuction Nashville, TN
Liposuction is a procedure in which stubborn fat deposits are removed to improve the contours of the body. We offer different procedures including tumescent and ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL). Although liposuction is never a substitute for proper dieting and exercise, the process is sometimes the only thing that can remove pockets of fat that do not respond to traditional weight-loss methods. Fat removal can be performed on various parts of the body, including the hips, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks, and neck. At The Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville, liposuction surgery is one of the post-bariatric cosmetic surgery procedures we offer.
To learn more about liposuction and how it can improve your body contour, contact us today for a consultation.
Liposuction Candidates
The nature of each liposuction procedure is as unique as the patient seeking the treatment. We tailor the treatment to target excess fat deposits for removal and deliver the best results for the individual patient. Liposuction is not a one-size-fits-all procedure.
The best candidates for liposuction are in good health and want to improve their body’s shape. They are non-smokers who have a positive outlook and a clear idea of what they want to achieve. They are also within 30% of their optimal weight with good muscle tone in the target area, and firm, elastic skin.
Liposuction Surgery
The time required for surgery depends on the amount of fat to be removed, the size of the surgical area, the type of anesthesia required, and the type of procedure performed.
This common surgery technique involves a medicated solution injected into targeted areas before the fat is removed. The fluid is a mixture of lidocaine (a local anesthetic), epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels), and saline solution. This mixture provides an anesthetic to lessen pain, reduces blood loss, and helps remove fat more easily. We at The Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville will determine which surgery option best suits your needs.
Tumescent injection is another form of surgery. A large volume of fluid, which contains an anesthetic, as well as epinephrine, is injected into the treatment area. Due to the heavy volume of fluid involved, tumescent injection liposuction takes longer to perform than the traditional process.
Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) requires the surgical insertion of a cannula (small tube) used to produce ultrasonic energy. As the cannula passes through layers of fatty tissue, the ultrasonic energy liquefies the fat, making it easier for suction and extraction. UAL is often used for areas of the body with high fiber content, including the upper back. It can also be used to treat enlarged male breasts during gynecomastia surgery. UAL is also often used in secondary cosmetic procedures for enhanced precision during surgery.
Meet the Doctors
Learn about our Board-Certified plastic surgeons and why you should choose two RealSelf 500 award winners for your next procedure!
Meet the Doctors
Learn about our Board-Certified plastic surgeons and why you should choose two RealSelf 500 award winners for your next procedure!
After Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction Recovery
After your surgery, the team at The Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville will be available to you for support and to monitor your recovery process. To prevent possible blood clots and reduce swelling following liposuction procedures, we suggest that you start walking as soon as you are able. Most liposuction patients feel much better after a week or two of recovery time and return to work after a few days. Within the first 7 to 10 days, your stitches will either dissolve or will be removed. A majority of the post-surgical swelling and bruising disappears after three weeks, though some swelling may remain for several more months.
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to book your procedure with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons? Contact us today to schedule your consultation and begin your aesthetic journey!
Potential Risks
Our skilled surgeons perform fat removal surgery regularly and with an excellent record for success. As rare as complications may be, they are still a possibility. If a greater number of areas are treated simultaneously or if the target areas are large, risks for post-surgical complications may increase. Risks following liposuction include infection, slow healing, clotting of the blood or fat, fluid loss, friction burns, perforation injury, and adverse reactions to drugs.
To learn more about liposuction and how it can improve your body contour, contact us for a virtual consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, liposuction is a body contouring procedure designed to eliminate excess fat pads which diet and exercise avoid.
Patients generally can have up to 3.5 liters of fat removed. This amount of fat will translate into about five to seven pounds of body weight.
Although swelling will begin to subside in the first week after liposuction, it may take six months to a year for swelling to abate fully.
We will encourage you to move around on the day of surgery and have an extended walk on the days after. Most of our patients return to their exercise regimen within one to two weeks with permission from their surgeon.
Your results will begin to emerge once the swelling begins to diminish which is usually within three or four weeks. Improvement will continue for the following weeks until swelling is fully abated, between six months to a year.
Liposuction can be performed as a standalone procedure or done concurrently with other procedures including facelift, breast surgery, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, and body lift.
Liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery which is offered by physicians of all specialties. Although any medical doctor can perform the procedure legally, patients should seek the expertise of a board-certified plastic surgeon. Certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery will ensure the patient their surgeon had a high level of education and training, is well versed in the most advanced technology and techniques, and work under the highest ethical standards.
Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that removes unwanted fat cells from targeted areas on your body. A tummy tuck is a more extensive operation that involves removing both abdominal fat and skin, along with repositioning the underlying muscles. A tummy tuck often includes liposuction, but not vice versa.
Unfortunately, smoking prematurely ages the skin and complicates the healing process. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, which prevents the healing tissue from getting the blood supply that it needs.
A skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon will know how much fat to remove according to your body’s specific needs. Different body areas contain different types of fat. Excessive or unskillful removal can result in undesirable results.
No. Once you’ve removed fat cells from your body, they are permanently gone. Liposuction is a way to change your body’s proportions by permanently eliminating fat cells. However, if you gain weight, the fat cells that remain may grow in size. For this reason, it is best to maintain a relatively stable weight after you’ve invested in liposuction.
Patients can receive treatment on the buttocks, stomach, ankles, legs, knees, arms, and any other area with fat accumulation.
Typically, the incisions are only a few millimeters. As a result, the resulting scars are barely noticeable, if at all.
No. Depending on the extent and nature of your operation, you will receive either a local or general anesthetic for your comfort.
In the weeks following liposuction, patients may feel soreness in conjunction with their swelling, which is completely manageable with standard anti-inflammatory medicines.