Is Liposuction Right for You?

Liposuction is a popular form of plastic surgery, and it’s only gaining popularity: It jumped in popularity by 25%+ between 2020 and 2021, landing the top slot for cosmetic procedure by volume worldwide in both years. It remained the most popular cosmetic procedure performed in the United States in 2022.

But why is liposuction so popular? Is it something you should consider for yourself?

Everyone has their own unique idea of what attractiveness entails. However, many pursue liposuction for its near-instant slimming and shaping effects, sculpting out beautiful curves with little to no intervention required.

Here’s what you need to know about liposuction, as well as real-life stories to help you determine if liposuction is right for you.

Anyone can pursue liposuction. It’s one of the least-invasive and most accessible procedures in the plastic surgery world.

If you’ve tried the workouts and diets and still are looking to shed extra pounds, liposuction could be a helpful solution for you. Common areas patients seek are liposuction of the stomach and liposuction of the underarms. Liposuction of the cheeks or chin liposuction are also options if your goal is a slimmer face or more defined jaw and necklines.

But liposuction can basically be performed in any area of the body that has excess fat. You might also consider liposuction if you’re looking to make a noticeable change to your appearance — a completely valid reason to consider this treatment.

Before considering liposuction, it’s a good idea to speak with an experienced, board-certified surgeon to assess your possible scope of risks and benefits. Bliss can match you with an independently verified surgeon for an in-person consultation to discuss your personal goals as well as the benefits and concerns of having a liposuction procedure.

Generally, your surgeon will want you to adopt a fairly healthy routine prior to surgery. Ideal candidates would be living well, pursuing a healthy diet, and completing an ongoing exercise routine.

These ideal candidate qualities are generally standard for any type of surgical procedure you’re considering because they’ve been associated with lower overall risks during and after the procedure.

If you’re considering liposuction for weight loss, your surgeon might request that you get within a certain range of your target weight. The reason for this is your starting point can impact your final result, and can pave the way for a better overall surgical experience. Target weights and starting points will differ from patient to patient, so having a surgical consultation is a prerequisite first step for any liposuction procedure.

Generally speaking, liposuction is not considered an ideal first option for straight weight loss. It is often considered the next step after diet and exercise routines have been optimized. Liposuction tones and sharpens, amplifying the benefits that diet and exercise create in both your physical appearance and overall health. Liposuction should not be considered a substitute for working out and healthy eating habits.

A common question among patients, we thought it best to hear it from a plastic surgeon directly. So we asked celebrity surgeon, Dr. Michael Salzhauer, also known as “Dr. Miami” to over 8 million followers on social media, to weigh in.

According to Dr. Salzhauer, the main point of difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck is that liposuction removes localized pockets of fat from specific areas of the body, while a tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the midsection and tightens abdominal muscles.

The good news? You can do both at once, so long as your surgeon believes that it’s safe in your specific case. If you’re interested in this option, be sure to let them know at the initial consultation.

Both procedures are used to slim the abdominal area, but a tummy tuck takes it a step further and removes extra skin as well. Those who have undergone significant weight loss and have excess skin folds as a result may consider a tummy tuck over liposuction for this reason, as the results are more aligned with their scope of need.

Tummy tucks can also be used to tighten excessively loose muscles, which is why it is commonly sought out by women after pregnancy.

Liposuction and tummy tucks are often performed together in a combination procedure known as lipoabdominoplasty. This approach allows for comprehensive enhancement of the abdominal area by addressing both excess fat and skin laxity, resulting in a smoother, more contoured appearance.

While both procedures leave you with permanent physical changes, fat can come back after a liposuction with weight gain. Tummy tucks are generally considered more permanent, but the remaining skin after a tummy tuck can also become stretched back out with weight gain.

Tummy tucks results generally start to be mildly impacted after approximately 15 lb. of weight gain, and higher levels of weight gain impact tummy tuck results to a progressively greater degree. This is why it is important to get a diet and exercise routine in place before having either or both a tummy tuck or liposuction procedure, as healthy habits will underpin longer-lasting results.

Typically, people might take anywhere between a few days to a week off to recover from liposuction procedure. Your surgeon can advise on what a liposuction recovery timeline will look like in your specific case.

Many find the recovery process exceptionally easy, even in more complex surgical cases.

These Redditors share what their liposuction recovery timeline looked like:

The average cost of liposuction can vary depending on a few key factors — such as the complexity of your case, the areas of treatment, and where you live.

But generally, liposuction ranges anywhere from $1,500-$10,000+, with an estimated average cost of $4,449, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

While that price tag may seem daunting, Bliss Aesthetics offers financing and payments plans so the procedure can fit in your budget.

Considering a change? We’re here to help. Bliss is a full-service concierge for those seeking elective cosmetic procedures like liposuction, empowering you with the information, resources, and experts you’ll need to achieve your goals.

Submit a short questionnaire about your cosmetic goals today to book a free consultation with a Bliss Patient Consultant to learn more about your options, as well as the financial support that’s available to you.

We look forward to connecting with you.