Liposuction

Sometimes diet and exercise aren’t enough to create the body of your dreams. If you’re struggling to remove areas of unwanted fat, you may want to consider liposuction. Our Charleston, SC, patients use this trusted procedure to target trouble spots such as thigh bulges, arm fat, muffin tops, and more. Our board-certified plastic surgeons have helped countless men and women sculpt their bodies and boost their confidence.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that improves body contours by removing excess pockets of stubborn fat. It uses suction and other methods to loosen and remove the fat directly (and permanently) from the body. It is extremely popular due to the reliably impactful results it creates. It is a well-perfected procedure and easy to understand — two factors that make people very comfortable when having it performed.  

What Can Liposuction Treat?

Liposuction can treat a variety of areas, including the:

• Lower abdomen
• Upper arms
• Thighs
• Flanks
• Knees
• Jawline

We can address more than one area in a single procedure, allowing you to correct multiple trouble spots at once. During your initial consultation, our surgeons will analyze your body and explain which areas would benefit the most from liposuction.

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How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

In Charleston, liposuction can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $7,000, depending on your provider’s qualifications and the amount of correction you have done. While this is only an estimate with an extensive range, at Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery, we will give you an exact amount during your consultation once we have reviewed your condition and aesthetic goals. 

Be wary of any practice that claims to offer professional-level results at a fraction of the cost. Your estimate includes your surgeon’s training, expertise and experience, and the last thing you want to do is find out that the lower price tag of your liposuction came with poor quality results. 

Picture Your Results in 3D

At Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery, we offer the state-of-the-art VECTRA® XT 3D imaging system to capture face, breast, and body images to help simulate your surgical outcomes during your consultation.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction is an excellent option for those who are in overall good health and wish to sculpt away stubborn rolls and bulges. Diet and exercise aren’t always enough to reduce fat, and genetics can cause your progress to plateau. Good candidates are those who:

• Are at a stable weight
• Have good skin elasticity
• Want to target specific areas of fat

While liposuction can help remove unwanted fat, it is not a weight loss tool. It is meant for sculpting and refining the look of your body, not dramatically changing the number on the scale. Before considering treatment, you should be within 10 to 15 pounds of your ideal weight.

What Happens During Liposuction Surgery?

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. The surgery begins with your doctor making tiny incisions near the areas of unwanted fat. A thin metal tube called a cannula is inserted to break up fat cells and suction out the fatty tissue.

The length of your liposuction procedure depends on the number of areas being treated and how much fat needs to be removed. In general, liposuction surgery lasts for 1 to 4 hours.

Preparing for Your Liposuction Surgery

We recommend creating a “recovery station” in your home before having your surgery. This can include creating a comfortable place to rest and sleep during the recovery, making sure all necessities are within reach, including:

You’ll also want to keep important documents like your post-op instructions close at hand.

Combining Renuvion® Skin Tightening with Liposuction

For patients who have mild to moderate skin laxity, our surgeons often combine liposuction with Renuvion® to lift and tighten the skin, improving the outcomes of your liposuction treatment. Renuvion is a non-invasive skin tightening device that is inserted into the liposuction incision after the fat is removed. The Renuvion device releases energy that fills the space where the fat was removed and triggers the body’s healing response. Over time, as your body heals, new collagen is created, causing the skin to lift and tighten, resulting in smoother contours.

Renuvion can be used with liposuction to treat a double chin, remove fat from the abdomen, sides, flanks, inner and outer thighs, and other areas of the face, neck, and body to lift and tighten the skin to improve your liposuction results.

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What Is Liposuction Recovery Like?

You’ll need a friend or loved one to drive you home and care for you, ideally through the first night. Your treated areas will be wrapped in compression bandages and may feel sore, swollen, and bruised. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to alleviate your discomfort, but many people are fine with over-the-counter medications. It typically takes 2 weeks to recover from liposuction surgery fully, but most patients can return to work and other activities after 5 to 10 days.

Can You Combine Liposuction With Other Treatments?

Yes, liposuction can easily be combined with other popular body contouring procedures. It is often used concurrently with a tummy tuck to sculpt and slim the abdomen. It may also be used as part of a breast reduction or a more extensive mommy makeover. Our doctors will guide you toward the best combination of treatments to help you achieve your cosmetic goals.

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