Liposuction

Our group of providers at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery proudly offers a wide range of plastic and cosmetic surgery services. Serving the Greater Jacksonville, FL area, one of our specialties is liposuction. We offer beautiful, safe, and effective results, and many patients are very pleased with their tighter and healthier-looking figures.

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Actual Patient

Liposuction in Jacksonville, FL

Depending on your needs, our highly experienced, board-certified surgeons offer several liposuction techniques to provide a smoother and more youthful appearance. During your consultation for lipo, we will inform you about the surgical process of the procedure and the downtime that is associated with a safe and healthy recovery.

Commonly Addressed Areas with Lipo

Upper abdomen
Lower abdomen
Love handles
Upper back
Lower back
Arms
Thighs
Banana rolls

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Actual Patient

How Liposuction Achieves a Slimmer, Smoother Figure

Liposuction helps tighten the skin and remove stubborn fat from the hips, buttocks, thighs, neck, arms, chest, and stomach. Using a precise technique and a specialized device called a cannula, one of our highly skilled surgeons can help you attain a slimmer, more improved figure. After this procedure, patients report that they can fit into their clothes better and that they feel liberated to try new clothing and activities because they feel more comfortable in their own skin.

“I had a lower body lift in 2005 and outer thigh lipo and inner medial thigh lift in 2018. Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery goes above and beyond. Highly recommend!”

Anonymous, RateMDs

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Actual Patient

Why Choose PVPS for Liposuction?

We’re more than plastic surgery — we’re a lifestyle. And we’re more than just Ponte Vedra; we’re all of Northeast Florida. With multiple providers and locations, we have the ideal match for every patient. We currently have a large team of board-certified plastic surgeons, Advanced Aesthetic Practitioners and skin health specialists covering Northeast Florida. To learn about the benefits or costs of liposuction, please schedule a consultation at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery in Jacksonville, FL, or another one of our convenient locations. You will receive a tailored treatment plan that meets your body goals.

Actual Patient

FAQ

How much weight can you lose with liposuction?

Does liposuction help with loose skin?

Is liposuction safe?

How much weight can you lose with liposuction?

The amount of fat depends on the size of the patient and their aesthetic goals. From a safety standpoint, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends roughly ten pounds of fat or less. Otherwise, the procedure technique is considered high-volume liposuction, which does have increased risks. Before undergoing liposuction, we recommend being near your ideal weight.

Does liposuction help with loose skin?

Liposuction decreases fat and enhances the actual shape of the body, but it does not address saggy skin or cellulite. During your consultation, we will discuss your goals so that we can determine the best treatment options for you. If needed, we will combine non-surgical and other surgical procedures with your liposuction. These could better address the issue and improve your skin concern. To treat skin laxity, we may recommend a tummy tuck, thigh lift, neck lift, or butt lift.

Is liposuction safe?

The media sometimes tells stories of liposuction patients who have received bad results because of inexperienced surgeons. Today’s liposuction techniques are much safer and more predictable than ever before. However, a surgeon’s skill still remains the number one factor when researching this procedure. The goal is to safely achieve a natural and smooth appearance, and an experienced surgeon can provide this result. Just be sure to do your research and look for patient feedback.

Our Liposuction Surgical Techniques

Tumescent “Super-Wet”

Tumescent liposuction is a common technique used by many surgeons. Incorporating suction-assisted (SAL) technology, this type of liposuction starts by injecting a liquid agent into the treatment area. The liquid agent includes saline, lidocaine (a numbing agent), and epinephrine. Epinephrine is a medication that helps control bleeding. Once we have administered the solution, a cannula is placed into the incision, which passes through the fat deposits and suctions them out. As we carefully move the cannula to remove stubborn fat, an attached, power-aided motor helps us control the speed of the fat removal. Fat removal amounts can range from several pounds or as little as several ounces.

Other Techniques

We also use power-assisted liposuction (PAL), a technique that uses a mechanical cannula to extract fat through smaller incisions in the treatment area. PAL allows for more precise control, easier contouring, and overall better results.

We also use equalization after lipo (EVL) as part of the surgery to even out and help with rippling and lumping.

Furthermore, we may also use lymphatic drainage post-op (off sight); Kybella® injections for smaller areas, or Qwo® injections for female cellulite on the buttocks.

Liposuction Procedure Details

At one of our accredited surgical facilities, we begin by administering general anesthesia. We only use board-certified anesthesiologists, and all patients records are reviewed prior to the procedure to ensure optimal care day of surgery. Local anesthesia can be used for smaller areas. Liposuction is considered an outpatient procedure. Your surgeon will make very small incisions near the areas where fat is being removed. The procedure is performed with a lipo cannula (a thin, hollow tube). This cannula will be inserted into the incisions, where it will break up the fat cells, releasing them from the surrounding tissue, and vacuum them out of the body. The incisions will be closed once the appropriate amount of fat has been removed. Before you leave, you will receive detailed aftercare instructions to encourage healing.

Liposuction Video: Dr. Bates Discusses Liposuction

Recovery

After surgery, patients will wear a compression garment and move around every three hours to reduce fluid retention and promote circulation. This will help prevent blood clots. Compression is a very important part of recovery from liposuction because it squeezes out excess fluid from the procedure, helps to contour the new shape, and makes the skin “stick down” better.

Generally, it takes about a full week for the bruising and swelling to subside. Patients typically take one week off from work, and have their first post-op visit in 5-7 days. After that, the visits are at three weeks, six weeks, three months, and six months. Swelling will take 3-6 months to fully subside.

Results

It may take several months for final results from liposuction to appear because the body will need time to get used to the new contours. Liposuction does create scars where the incisions are made; however, these will fade over time.

Patients often ask if liposuction is permanent. While the fat cells that are removed during the surgery do not come back, unfortunately patients can still gain weight after surgery because the remaining cells can expand and become larger. However, patients who maintain a healthy diet and exercise program will continue to see their original good results years after their surgery.

Who is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

If you’re in the Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, or Ponte Vedra Beach, FL area and you’re considering liposuction, you may be wondering if you’re a good candidate. The best patients for lipo are those who:

Are bothered by stubborn areas of fat that are not affected by diet or exercise
Have been at a stable, healthy weight for six months or longer
Are non-smokers in general good health
Have good skin elasticity
Have realistic expectations for what liposuction can do
Fully understand the liposuction procedure, risks, recovery, and what to expect