Medically reviewed by David Bogue, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon | Last reviewed August 2026
Liposuction is designed for localized areas of fat that remain out of proportion with the rest of the body, even when a patient is active and at a stable weight. It is not a weight-loss procedure. Instead, liposuction improves body contour by reducing selected fat deposits and creating smoother transitions between treated and untreated areas. Common treatment areas include the abdomen, waist, flanks or “love handles,” and outer hips.
Dr. Bogue approaches liposuction as a shaping procedure, rather than simply removing as much fat as possible. During your consultation, he evaluates where the fat is located, the quality and elasticity of your skin, and how each area relates to the surrounding contours. He will explain what liposuction can realistically improve, whether multiple areas should be treated, and when loose skin may limit the result. He performs tumescent liposuction through small, carefully placed incisions and individualizes each surgical plan according to your proportions and goals.
“My results so far have been impeccable and I feel as though his work is truly artistic. He took just the right amount of fat to leave my body sculpted that still feels natural and like myself. I have wanted this surgery for over 20 years as my outer hip area is a genetic trait. I finally feel as though I am living in the body I’ve always imagined.”
Stephanie Blake
Google Review
Liposuction FAQs
Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Common treatment areas include the abdomen, waist, flanks, back, hips, thighs, upper arms, and neck. Good candidates generally have:
- Good skin tone and elasticity
- A healthy, stable weight
- Localized fat that remains out of proportion with the surrounding body
- Realistic expectations
- Overall health that makes elective surgery and anesthesia reasonable
Results may be less predictable in patients with significant sagging skin, obesity, unrealistic expectations, or skin adherence and contour irregularities from previous liposuction. Older patients may have reduced skin elasticity, although age alone does not determine candidacy. Liposuction does not directly tighten skin or reliably treat cellulite, and removing fat may make loose skin more apparent. When loose abdominal skin or muscle separation is the primary concern, a tummy tuck may be more appropriate than liposuction alone.
How Is Liposuction Performed?
Dr. Bogue performs tumescent liposuction through small incisions placed near the treatment areas. Tumescent solution is saline containing epinephrine, also called adrenaline, which constricts blood vessels to reduce bleeding, and lidocaine, a local anesthetic that reduces discomfort. The solution also expands and firms the fatty tissue, making it easier to remove in a controlled manner.
Dr. Bogue passes a narrow cannula through the incisions to remove selected fat deposits with suction. He works in multiple directions and blends each treated area into the surrounding contours while preserving enough fat beneath the skin to maintain a smooth surface.
Small revision touch-ups may be performed in Dr. Bogue’s office using local anesthesia and tumescent solution. Liposuction involving larger areas or volumes is performed in an operating room with an anesthesia team. Most patients return home the same day, although an overnight stay may be appropriate for extensive or combined procedures.
Is Liposuction a Weight-Loss Procedure?
No. Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure, not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for weight loss. It removes selected deposits of subcutaneous fat beneath the skin but does not remove the deeper visceral fat surrounding the abdominal organs.
Care must also be taken not to remove too much fat, particularly near the undersurface of the skin. Excessive removal can cause cobblestoning, in which the skin adheres unevenly to the underlying muscle fascia. This can create a permanent deformity that is extremely difficult to correct. Dr. Bogue prioritizes a smooth, proportionate contour rather than removing the maximum possible volume of fat.
How Long is Recovery After Liposuction?
Most patients return to non-strenuous work and routine activities within approximately five to seven days, depending on the areas treated and the amount of fat removed. Bruising, swelling, firmness, and tenderness are expected during early healing.
Walking begins soon after surgery, while exercise is generally resumed gradually over two to four weeks. Patients wear a compression garment to control swelling and support the treated areas. The appropriate postoperative garment is included in Dr. Bogue’s surgical fee.
Are Liposuction Results Permanent, and When Will I See Them?
The fat cells removed during liposuction do not grow back, but remaining fat cells can enlarge if a patient gains weight. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and stable weight is therefore important for preserving the result.
An improvement in contour is often visible soon after surgery, but swelling initially obscures the final result. Liposuction differs from many procedures because the treated areas typically continue to soften, contract, and improve for six months or longer.
What Should I Know About GLP-1 Medications Before Liposuction?
Patients should reach their desired weight and maintain a stable weight for several months before liposuction. Continued weight loss after surgery can change the contour and affect the final result.
Dr. Bogue requires GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide to be stopped for a minimum of one week before anesthesia. Because these medications reduce appetite and caloric intake, he generally recommends waiting at least several weeks after surgery before restarting them. Medication changes should be coordinated with the prescribing physician, particularly when the medication is used to treat diabetes.
Is Liposuction Safe?
Liposuction is generally safe when performed on an appropriate candidate, but it is not risk-free. Potential complications include bleeding, infection, fluid accumulation, numbness, asymmetry, contour irregularities, skin injury, blood clots, and complications related to anesthesia.
Risk is affected by the patient’s health, the number and size of the areas treated, the anticipated volume of fat removal, and whether other procedures are performed at the same time. Dr. Bogue evaluates these factors carefully and limits the operation when a more extensive procedure would create unnecessary risk.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
The cost of liposuction depends on the number and size of the areas treated, the anticipated volume of fat removal, and whether the procedure is performed by itself or with another operation.
After your consultation, Dr. Bogue’s staff will provide a detailed estimate. When applicable, the estimate includes the surgeon’s fee, operating-room and anesthesia expenses, the postoperative compression garment provided by Dr. Bogue’s office, and an overnight stay when it is part of the surgical plan. Liposuction performed for cosmetic reasons is generally self-pay. Learn more about consultation fees, accepted payment methods, and financing options.
Liposuction Before & After
Ready to Discuss Liposuction?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. David Bogue to discuss the areas you would like to improve, your skin quality, and whether liposuction can provide the contour you want.