Liposuction Atlanta, Georgia — Fat Removal

Liposuction is a great way for patients to look fit and fabulous. While fat removal surgery is not for weight loss, it is a fantastic technique to remove excess fat in troublesome areas. Dr. Amy Alderman spends a good deal of time examining the patient and making sure that the skin quality is sufficient for an optimal outcome.  It is important to not just remove the unwanted volume but also ensure that the surrounding tissue will tighten and shrink to the new contour.

If you have questions about liposuction in Alpharetta, Atlanta, and Buckhead, GA, contact Dr. Alderman and her team today for your consultation.

What Can Liposuction Do for Me?

Fat removal can be the perfect procedure for fine-tuning and trimming multiple areas of the body. The chin and neck region is one of Dr. Alderman’s favorite areas to perform liposuction surgery.  It always amazes her how rejuvenating neck liposuction can be, often mimicking a much larger procedure such as a neck or facelift

Below are the most common areas of this body contouring treatment:

  • Abdomen
  • Waist/Love Handles
  • Flanks
  • Hips
  • Buttocks
  • Thighs
  • Back
  • Arms
  • Calves
  • Under the chin
  • Neck
  • Bra roll
  • Pre-axillary fullness (area above the outside of the breast)

Liposuction procedures on the upper back/bra roll region along with the back hips and flanks can make a significant improvement in body contours and a very slimming silhouette.  Women especially love to have the bra roll and fullness above their breasts near their axilla (armpits) reduced. Arm liposuction is a great option to provide improved definition of the upper arm muscles and provide a slim arm contour. Abdominal liposuction, especially around the belly button, can give both men and women significant confidence in tight fitting clothing and bathing suits.  The lower abdominal area, called the mons pubis, can also be reduced with liposuction.  And, last but not least, all women want a gap between their legs.  Liposuction can greatly improve the inner and outer (saddlebag) area of the thighs and inner knees.

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If you’re in the Atlanta area and have any questions about Liposuction or wish to schedule a consultation on Liposuction with Dr. Alderman, please contact our office.

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Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Women and men have different genetic predispositions for fat deposits.  For men, the most common areas of concern are the flanks, lower abdomen, and chest.  All of these areas respond very well to liposuction and are associated with very little downtime from work and exercise.  Dr. Alderman frequently hears patients tell her that they see problem areas in their older relatives and that they want to intervene now before it happens to them. 

When you are at your ideal body weight and still have areas of fullness, genetics are not in your favor.  Dr. Alderman loves helping liposuction patients achieve their desired results when they have put in the time and effort at the gym and with proper nutrition.  She likes to think of liposuction as being part of a life-changing trilogy, along with a healthy diet and exercise.

Liposuction is best for people who are near their ideal weight but have stubborn localized pockets of fat in one or more areas of the body. Candidates for liposuction should also have good skin laxity and no loose skin. For example, if you have excess pockets of fat in the abdomen, you are probably a candidate for liposuction. If you also have loose skin on the abdomen, you would be a candidate for abdominoplasty, which excises the loose skin and also removes fat with liposuction.

Liposuction is often part of a mommy makeover for women who have excess fat as a result of pregnancy. However, it is best to postpone this procedure until after you are finished having children, as a subsequent pregnancy could create the need for additional liposuction.

Your Atlanta Lipo Options

Our doctors will spend a lot of time during the preoperative consultation discussing the results you desire, the amount of recovery that can fit into your lifestyle, and assessing your anatomy. In all methods of liposuction, the incisions are small. A cannula (tube) is inserted in the incisions, and the tube is attached to a suction device, which removes the fat similar to a vacuum.

Dr. Alderman enjoys helping patients in all stages of life, but one scenario always puts a big smile on her face.  It goes like this: the couple comes together for the initial consultation with the wife as the patient, she undergoes liposuction, does well and at the 6-week post-operative appointment the husband reappears.  She gives him a look, and he proceeds with asking if he would be a good candidate for liposuction.  It’s so cute! And it’s very fun taking care of multiple family members.  Of note, Dr. Alderman has never had the husband to volunteer to go first!

Is Liposuction Comfortable?

The tumescent solution injected into the surgical site has a long-acting local anesthesia to provide pain relief.  In addition, we allow patients to start anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen soon after surgery, which provides additional pain relief along with the narcotic pain medicine. We find that with the use of ibuprofen, patients are more comfortable and require much less narcotic pain medicine.  In general, patients can return to work within four days of surgery and begin exercise within two weeks.

What Can I Expect During Recovery from Liposuction?

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure, so you can return the same day as your procedure. If you have had liposuction on your body, you will wear a compression garment for a period of weeks that will aid in the healing process. After 24 hours, we will ask you to walk several times throughout the day to encourage circulation and prevent blood clotting.

As long as your work is not strenuous, you should be able to return to work within 1-2 weeks, depending on the extent of your liposuction. You can resume exercise and lifting in 2-3 weeks.

Liposuction causes some bruising, swelling, and discomfort for a few weeks. Oral medications can help you through this time. Your body will look trimmer and smoother right away, but the swelling will resolve slowly over a period of about 6 months. You will then see your final results.

Do you have stubborn pockets of fat that won’t go away? Call us today to schedule a consultation to find out more about liposuction in Atlanta, GA with Dr. Alderman.

Alderman - Tips to Maintain Your Liposuction Results (3)

Liposuction in Georgia FAQs

After your liposuction, your improved contour is more or less permanent. The outcomes are best for patients who are able to maintain a stable weight after the procedure. If you gain a moderate amount of weight, your figure will expand, but the underlying shape will remain the same.

If you are having liposuction with another procedure like a tummy tuck or an arm lift, your procedure may include excess skin removal for a smooth, even skin surface. Fat transfer to other areas of the body is also an option.

Although there may be some tenderness after the procedure, liposuction is highly tolerable during the operation and recovery. Our board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Aida Joiner, will ensure you are comfortable during surgery. For your recovery, you will be given prescription pain medication to ensure your comfort.

Liposuction is a customized procedure due to the location and the severity of the patient’s concerns. It can also be done as a standalone procedure or included with another surgery. Therefore, Atlanta liposuction costs vary from patient to patient. To learn the cost of your Atlanta liposuction treatment, schedule a consultation today.

There are different types of liposuction (e.g., laser-assisted liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, laser liposuction, ultrasound-assisted liposuction, etc.). Each technique has its advantages, and having a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon will help determine which one is right for you.

Almost all liposuction methods involve safely managing a solution of lidocaine, epinephrine, and saline, into the targeted area before extracting the unwanted fat.

Like all surgeries, there are associated risks. During your consultation, Dr. Alderman will thoroughly explain the risks and how she will minimize them with her surgical plan.   

Liposuction is deemed a safe operation when post-surgical instructions are followed carefully. Rarely are there serious complications.  

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), liposuction is the most popular cosmetic surgery for women and men. More men are seeking help with aesthetics through plastic surgery than ever before.

You should do extensive research before choosing your liposuction surgeon. One of the most important criterion to consider is whether the doctor you are considering has been certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. You can rest assured that if your surgeon has met ASPS standards, they have undergone extensive training and are well versed in the latest techniques and technology.

You should also feel comfortable with your surgeon to make sure the two of you are the right fit.

Recovery varies from patient to patient. Most people return to light activities within a week or two after the operation. There may be some discomfort and swelling beyond this time frame, and you should avoid strenuous activities for at least eight weeks.

Dr. Alderman will provide detailed instructions to shorten the duration of your recovery, minimize risks, and prevent complications.

Although liposuction is considered a minimally invasive operation, there will be some discomfort and swelling in the days following surgery. Most patients tell us they begin to feel more like themselves after four or five days. Any lingering discomfort is managed easily with oral pain medication.

Although fat cells do not regenerate and never return, the results of liposuction are best maintained with a relatively stable weight. If you gain a significant amount of weight after your surgery, the remaining fat cells can enlarge and cause your body shape to change. Leading a healthy lifestyle, eating well, and regularly exercising will ensure your results will be long-lasting.

With more people choosing liposuction to attain a slender, sensual body, you should be selective in the surgeon who does the operation. To learn how board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Amy Alderman helps her patients achieve their cosmetic goals, schedule a consultation with her today.

View Gallery

Be sure to view our Before and After Photo Gallery of Liposuction  procedures to see real patient results at North Atlanta Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Alderman’s National Efforts on this Topic

Chairperson of the Body Contouring Section for Aesthetica, a national cosmetic surgery meeting sponsored by the American Society of Plastic Surgery

American Society of Plastic Surgery Patient Safety Committee

ASPS Aesthetic Surgery Advisory Committee

Vice Chairperson, ASPS Education Aesthetic Council

VTE Prevention in Cosmetic Surgery.  Georgia Society of Plastic Surgery Annual Meeting, Aug 2013, Brasstown Resort, GA.

Patient Safety: Prevention of VTE in Cosmetic Surgery.  QMP Aesthetic Surgery Symposium, Nov 2013, Chicago, IL

VTE Prophylaxis and Body Contouring: What is the Evidence?  Aesthetica 2015, Las Vegas April 30-May 2, 2015.

Combining Multiple Abdominal Procedures and Related Complications. Aesthetica 2015, Las Vegas April 30-May 2, 2015.

Thunderdome: Risk/Reward of Combined Surgical Procedures: What’s Too Much?  American Society of Plastic Surgery, Oct 20, 2015.

How Long of Surgery is Too Long?  Length of Surgery and VTE.  Aesthetica, June 2016, Washington, DC.

VTE Prophylaxis: What are our options?  Aesthetica, March 2017, New Orleans, LA.

Alderman, AK. Body contouring. In The Michigan Manual of Plastic Surgery. Ed Brown & Borschel, Lippincott, Philadelphia, 2004.

Pannucci, C, Alderman, AK.  Venous Thromboembolism and the Aesthetic Surgery Patient.  Essentials of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Alderman, AK, Kerrigan, CL, Lemaine, V, Pusic, AL, Vidal, DC.  Evidence-Based Medicine &Health Services Research in Plastic Surgery.  In Plastic Surgery  1st Edition

Alderman, AK, Chung, KC.  Outcomes for Surgical Guidance in Plastic Surgery: Measuring Outcomes in Aesthetic Surgery.  Clinics in of Plastic Surgery, 2013:297-304.

Alderman, AK, Kerrigan, CL, Lemaine, V, Pusic, AL, Vidal, DC.  Evidence-Based Medicine &Health Services Research in Plastic Surgery.  In Plastic Surgery 4th Edition

Kassen, AF, Cano, SJ, Alderman, AK, et al.  The BODY-Q: A Patient-Reported Outcome Instrument for Weight Loss and Body Contouring Treatments.  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Glob Open 2016;4:e679, April 13, 2016.

Murphy, RX,Jr, Alderman, AK, Gutowski, K, Kerrigan, C, Rosolowski, K, Schechter, L, Schmitz, D, Wilkins, E. Evidence-Based Practices for Thromboembolism Prevention: Summary of the ASPS Venous Thromboembolism Task Force Report. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: 130: 168e-175e, 2012.