Liposuction
in Irvine, CA
Liposuction is a popular option with both women and men for getting rid of stubborn fat that keeps them from looking their best.
It permanently removes excess fat from troublesome areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs and flanks. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Smith uses liposuction in Orange County to sculpt areas that do not improve through eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. To find out how liposuction in Irvine or Corona can improve your body contours, request a surgical consultation with Dr. Smith or call our us at (949)-653-7000.
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Liposuction is a popular and effective option for individuals who are healthy and fit, but still retain pockets of fat in areas such as the hips, thighs, buttocks, flanks, chest, abdomen, and neck. Ideal candidates for this procedure:
The procedure is not designed to remove very large amounts of fat and is not a treatment for obesity or significant weight loss. If you have stretched or sagging skin, you may be better suited for another body contouring procedure such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift.
If you are reluctant to undergo liposuction but have stubborn areas of unwanted fat, Dr. Smith may recommend SculpSure, an FDA-cleared non-surgical laser treatment that reduces fat with no downtime. While it cannot match the dramatic results achieved by liposuction, SculpSure offers an effective alternative.
Fat distribution is largely genetic. You cannot dictate where your body stores lipids. You also cannot dictate where it burns them during your exercise routine. This biological reality often leaves patients with stubborn pockets of fat that simply ignore a strict diet and exercise regimen.
In my clinical experience, treating these isolated areas requires anatomical precision. We commonly perform liposuction on the following regions:
Sometimes, the fat we remove is valuable. We can repurpose this tissue through fat grafting. This fat transfer process allows us to add natural volume to the buttocks, breasts, or face during the same plastic surgery procedure.
If you are reluctant to undergo liposuction but have stubborn areas of unwanted fat, Dr. Smith may recommend a less invasive alternative like SculpSure. This FDA-cleared non-surgical laser treatment reduces fat with minimal downtime.
But we have to be realistic about the math.
Non-surgical devices damage a percentage of fat cells, which your body then metabolizes over several months. It takes time. It requires multiple sessions. Liposuction surgery permanently and immediately extracts the excess fat from the treated areas in a single day. While non-surgical options cannot match the dramatic results achieved by traditional liposuction, they offer an effective alternative for patients with very minor contouring needs or medical conditions that prevent surgery.
Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures today. And like any other plastic surgery procedure liposuction should be performed by a trained board-certified plastic surgeon who has an in-depth understanding of human anatomy.
Sadly, a number of practitioners who are not suitable to perform liposuction are offering this procedure – often leading to disastrous results. So, it is important that you choose your plastic surgeon carefully. It is always advisable that you choose a trained board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Smith for your liposuction.
“Dr. Smith and Staff- What a fabulous Team! From the beginning, I have felt well taken care of. All of you helped me to navigate through a difficult and often scary time in my life. I’ve had absolute confidence, with your help, that all would turn out well. Dr. Smith – you are one talented guy!! What a beautiful result – couldn’t be happier. I’ve never felt like a number in this office – always a friend. Many heartfelt thanks to all of you.”
Reviews such as this are what drives Dr. Smith to continue to do what is absolutely the best for all his patients. When you sit for a consultation for liposuction Irvine plastic surgeon Dr. Smith will conduct a thorough evaluation of your case based on your medical history, your anatomy, as well as on your goals and desired outcome. He is there to answer any questions, queries or concerns you may have regarding your surgery. If you are looking for the Liposuction in Irvine, set up a consultation with Dr. Smith today.
The mechanics of fat removal have evolved, but the core principle remains the same. We use targeted techniques to break up the tissue and remove it safely.
Preparation dictates the ease of your recovery. We do not leave anything to chance.
During your consultation, we review your medical history in detail to ensure you are a good candidate. You will need to stop taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin and certain supplements, at least two weeks before your procedure to minimize bruising and bleeding. If you smoke, you must stop entirely. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and drastically increases the risk of potential complications during healing.
We also require patients to be at or near their ideal weight. This surgery refines your shape. It does not replace a healthy diet.
During your liposuction Orange County plastic surgeon, Dr. Andrew Smith, will use a very small surgical tube called a cannula to break up and remove the unwanted fat cells. The cannula is inserted into the fat through small incisions in the skin, and uses suction to remove the fat. Dr. Smith achieves smooth cosmetic results using the tumescent technique without liposuction enhancements. Using a small, narrow cannula he is able to remove the targeted fat in a smooth and uniform fashion. While liposuction can dramatically improve overall body shape, cellulite is not usually improved by traditional liposuction methods.
Every surgery carries risk. We manage that risk through strict protocols and environmental control.
Most patients undergo this procedure using general anesthesia or deep IV sedation. Because of this, we perform all surgeries in our private, on-site certified surgery center in Orange County. We exclusively utilize board-certified anesthesiologists. This prevents the chaos of a busy hospital while providing the highest tier of medical monitoring.
Potential complications include infection, asymmetry, or changes in skin sensation. By meticulously planning the procedure and limiting the volume of fat removed in a single session, we keep these risks exceptionally low.
After liposuction, the new shape of the body is for the most part permanent. If weight is gained after the procedure, the figure will become a larger version of the new body shape. The body does not produce new fat cells following liposuction. Without weight gain, the new silhouette is permanent, except that the usual changes to the body that occur with aging will continue.
We are transparent about pricing. The cost of your liposuction reflects the complexity of the targeted areas, the specific surgical techniques required, operating room time, and anesthesia fees. Because every patient's anatomy is unique, we provide a precise, individualized quote during your initial consultation.
The fat cells we remove are gone permanently. However, the remaining fat cells in the treated areas can still expand if you gain a significant amount of weight. Maintaining a stable weight through diet and exercise is necessary to protect your investment.
No. Liposuction removes fat beneath the skin; it does not tighten the skin itself or alter the fibrous bands that cause cellulite. If you have significant laxity, we may recommend pairing your fat removal with a tummy tuck, arm lift, or facelift.
Safety dictates volume. The maximum safe limit is generally around four to five liters in a single outpatient session. Removing large amounts increases the risk of complications and fluid shifts. If you require more volume removal, we stage the surgeries for your safety.
You will not feel anything during the surgery due to the anesthesia. During your liposuction recovery, you will experience soreness that feels similar to an intense muscle workout. We provide medication to manage any early discomfort.
This depends on your overall health and the estimated volume of fat. In many cases, we can safely treat the abdomen, flanks, and thighs during the same operation.
The incisions required for the cannula are incredibly small, typically less than a quarter of an inch. We place these incisions in natural body creases or easily hidden areas. Over time, they fade significantly.
Absolutely not. It is a body contouring tool. It is meant to eliminate localized fat deposits that obscure your natural shape, not to drop the number on the scale.
Yes. We frequently combine it with other plastic surgery procedures. It is a core component of a mommy makeover, often performed alongside breast augmentation or abdominal muscle repair to achieve comprehensive results.
Contact Andrew Smith, MD FACS Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Irvine, Orange County to schedule your consultation.
