Liposuction New York City
Introduction to Liposuction
At William Lao, MD on 5th Avenue in New York City, liposuction surgery is a very popular procedure. Liposuction, which is commonly referred to as “lipo,” is a procedure that removes fat deposits from specific areas of the body. Liposuction can also help the body appear more contoured and more proportionate.
Dr. Lao strives to deliver the best liposuction New York, NY residents can look forward to. He places patient safety and communication as his top priorities.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures worldwide. It can restore body contour or even sculpt an attractive curve. Liposuction is one of the most useful tools used by Dr. Lao in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Not only is it used to extract fat for fat injection, but strategic extraction of fat in certain areas can also obtain the desired body curve. It is also used in conjunction with other body contouring procedures like abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), Brachioplasty (arm lift), and Thighplasty (thigh lift) procedures to perfect their results.
Who are the Best Candidates for Liposuction?
Men and women who live a healthy lifestyle, are at a stable weight, and have elastic skin are typically good candidates for liposuction. Individuals who have fat deposits that won’t go away with diet and exercise are also excellent candidates for this procedure.
We ask that any candidates who come to see us for liposuction in NYC have realistic expectations of what the procedure can and cannot do.
Common Areas to Target With Liposuction?
The most targeted areas for Liposuction are:
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Abdomen/midsection – Often used to remove any unwanted, excess fat in this area. It can sometimes be referred to as a “Muffin top”
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Chin – Provides the patient with a slimmer appearing face, and reduces the possibility of a “Double Chin”
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Breasts – Many patients, male and female, will get liposuction in their breasts, as part of a reduction or gynecomastia
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Arms – Patients will often use this procedure as assistance in attaining thinner arms with less drooping
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Thighs – Patients looking to have slimmer legs will often utilize this procedure in order to obtain their physical goals.
It is very important to remember that Liposuction is not a quick replacement for a healthy lifestyle and diet, but rather a cosmetic solution to remove stubborn fat cells that are resistant to more traditional methods of weight loss and help contour their body’s shape.
Types of Liposuction Techniques
There are many kinds of liposuction technologies available on the market. It is often confusing for patients to understand the difference and choose the specific treatment. The gold standard is the traditional suction-assisted lipectomy; all other modalities, like ultrasound or laser liposuction, are variations of it.
Each modality has its advantages and disadvantages; it has to be used for the right body location and the right purpose. There is no such thing as the best kind of liposuction, but only the right kind for your specific needs and desired results. During your consultation with Dr. Lao, he will discuss your options with you and come up with a treatment plan for you.
Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)
Power-Assisted Liposuction is a liposuction technique that removes deep and superficial fat cells that diet and exercise alone are unable to resolve. This technique utilizes a motorized cannula that gently vibrates back and forth to loosen fat tissue to be suctioned.
PAL uses a motorized cannula that breaks down fatty tissue for easier removal. The treatment reduces the amount of trauma to the surrounding tissues and avoids the risk of tissue burns that energy-based liposuction poses. Power-assisted liposuction is 45% faster than traditional liposuction and results in less bruising and swelling during the patient recovery process.
Tumescent liposuction
Tumescent liposuction can safely remove fat from almost all parts of the body and is used to remove lipomas, or benign fatty tumors, and to treat excessive underarm sweating and enlarged male and female breasts.
During the treatment, Dr. Lao will use a solution containing a local anesthetic and drug called epinephrine that is injected into the targeted areas of excessive fatty deposits. The solution fills the fatty layer of the skin and causes it to swell and become firmer, allowing him to have better control when contouring the area. The solution also causes the blood vessels to temporarily shrink, which greatly reduces blood loss and reduces bruising, swelling, and pain after the procedure.
What are the Benefits of Liposuction?
Our staff and Clients have noticed some wonderful benefits to receiving our NYC Liposuction (also referred to as Liposculpture). This procedure can help remove any excess body fat that will not reduce following exercise and a healthy diet, setting you up to lead a healthier lifestyle. Liposculpture aims to improve your body’s shape, increase your confidence, and enhance your self-image.
What to Expect on the Day of Liposuction
On the day of your surgery, you will be provided with some form of anesthetic, whether it be local or general anesthesia, IV sedation, or a combination of them. Once you are fully sedated, Dr. Lao will begin your surgery.
All liposuction involves a small entry site and a cannula (a thin, hollow tube) to break up the fat and suction out the excess. Dr. Lao will also remove excess skin gained from extreme weight loss. An experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Lao doesn’t just perform traditional liposuction, he carefully sculpts the body to accentuate an aesthetic contour. For more information on each unique technique, please differ t
Once Dr. Lao is finished with your procedure, your incisions will be closed up and you will be supplied with a compression garment to reduce swelling and protect your sutures. You will be monitored in our recovery room until you awaken from your sedation.
LIPOSUCTION SCHEDULE
Surgery
Time: Depending on the area
General Anesthesia or Local Anesthesia
Recovery
Ambulate the night of surgery
Shower 2 days after surgery
3 to 5 days off work
Restriction
2 weeks from heavy lifting and swimming
Liposuction Recovery
Typically, you will be sore for a few days immediately following your procedure. You may be asked to wear compression garments in order to keep the swelling down. You may experience some bruising as well.
Generally, swelling will subside in a couple of weeks, although you may not be able to see the full results until a few months after your procedure.
It is important to follow all of Dr. Lao’s aftercare instructions to ensure that the recovery process goes as smoothly as possible. If you have any questions about recovering from liposuction, be sure to ask Dr. Lao during your consultation.
What’s the First Step?
The first step is to get in touch with our office and schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Lao. After discussing your aesthetic desires, you will be provided with a full assessment and his expert recommendations.
Please keep in mind that during your consultation, it is important to be as open and honest as possible in order to achieve the best results.
Once you feel comfortable with Dr. Lao’s assessment, your surgery can be booked, at which time you will receive your preoperative instructions. It is expertly recommended that smoking before or after the surgery is avoided in order to avoid any complications, such as infection or poor healing. You should also avoid any blood thinning medication or supplements.
Why Choose Dr. Lao?
Dr. William Lao is a double board-certified plastic surgeon. He’s proud to have received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Lao has recently been elected as a TopDoc by the aesthetic publication, NewBeauty. As a trusted surgeon, Dr. Lao loans his knowledge and expertise to the magazine and has been featured in several articles. Including his latest article, “6 things you should never do after plastic surgery.”
How Much Does Liposuction Cost in New York City?
The average cost of Liposuction in New York City typically starts at $4,000 and can range up to $11,000 or more, depending on the areas treated and the amount of fat removed. Prices vary based on factors such as the complexity of the procedure, anesthesia costs, and surgeon fees. For a personalized cost estimate and detailed information about the procedure, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. William Lao. During your consultation, our patient coordinator will provide a tailored quote and address any questions you may have regarding liposuction.
FAQs
Will Liposuction leave scars?
Yes. As with any surgical procedure, there will be some minimal scarring. The incisions are normally small and unnoticeable and will fade over time.
Can I combine Liposuction with other procedures?
Absolutely! The procedure is often combined with a Tummy Tuck in order to achieve optimal results in the stomach area. Other procedures paired with Liposculpture are breast surgeries, such as breast reduction, breast lift, or breast augmentation. If you are interested in any additional procedures, please refer to our other surgeries for more information.
How long will my results last?
In a situation where the patient gains weight again, the existing fat cells that are left following liposuction surgery will still expand, but, as a result, the new fat deposits will be distributed in different parts of the body and less in proportion to the area that was treated.
What are the risks associated with Liposuction?
Like most surgical procedures, there is always some risk involved. While very rare when performed in the proper facility by a trained plastic surgeon, some of the most common risks associated with surgery are:
- Bleeding (less than 0.5%)
- Infection (less than 0.5%)
- Delayed skin healing
- Seroma collection (fluid trapped under the skin)
- Irregularity of the skin
- Numbness in the area of the surgery
- Poor scarring
- Blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis/ Pulmonary Embolism)
Any possible damage to your internal organs (bowels, lungs, etc.) is extremely rare.
That all being said, the procedure is very safe and Dr. Lao prides himself in ensuring you receive the best care during your surgery to minimize any possible complications and get you the best results.
Is Liposuction painful?
Will I have a firmer stomach after my Liposuction?
No. While this procedure can reduce and remove localized fat deposits, it will not improve abdominal muscles or tighten skin. If you are interested in achieving a tighter and firmer stomach, you may want to discuss additional options, such as a Tummy Tuck, with Dr. Lao during your consultation.
How much weight can you lose with Liposuction?
We insist on reminding our patients that Liposuction is not designed as a quick and easy way to lose weight, but can be an effective tool in getting back your life. Every liposuction procedure can remove about a maximum of 4000-5000cc of unwanted fat deposits in an outpatient setting, and it's not uncommon for some patients to lose 20-30 pounds following liposuction. It's also possible to maintain or lose even more weight with a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Schedule Your Consultation
Dr. Lao is known by his patients as the best New York City liposuction surgeon. If liposuction sounds like the perfect procedure for you, contact our office to set up a consultation with Dr. Lao today. Dr. William Lao is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon who will be happy to answer any questions you may have about this procedure.
