Liposuction in Orlando, FL
Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic plastic surgeries in the United States. For many people who have areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise, liposuction might be the answer.
Liposuction can be performed in almost any area with a significant accumulation of subcutaneous fat. And once the fat is gone, it will not return to the treated area unless the patient gains considerable weight.
Dr. Thomas Fiala and his team at Fiala Aesthetics perform liposuction for women and men in Orlando, Florida, and the greater Orlando area.
What Is Liposuction?
While some types of body fat respond well to diet and exercise, other pockets resist all means of toning and tightening, especially after pregnancy or as you age. Liposuction is a fat reduction technique that permanently reduces the number of fat cells in your body by suctioning out unwanted fat.
Liposuction can be performed by itself, or may be part of a more significant plastic surgery operation, such as a Mommy Makeover or fat grafting procedure.
What Are the Benefits of Liposuction?
Men and women turn to liposuction to recontour their silhouettes by targeting excess fat in the:
- Abdomen
- Waist or “love handles”
- Hips
- Thighs
- Trunk
- Inner knees
- Male chest/breasts
- Upper arms
- Neck (under the chin)
This minimally invasive procedure helps women and men address the fat pockets that resist a healthy lifestyle, allowing them to feel more comfortable and confident with their physique.
Am I a Candidate for Liposuction?
Candidates for liposuction should be in good overall health and have good skin elasticity. Besides this, you should be close to or at your ideal weight — liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure but rather a body contouring one.
Based on published research showing a link between obesity and the risk of complications, we do not recommend liposuction unless your BMI is 30 or less.
For our recommendations on body contouring and pre-op weight, click here.
You should also possess reasonable expectations from the procedure — liposuction isn’t a miracle cure for imperfections, but it can help you reach a body shape that is closer to your ideal.
Finally, the targeted fat needs to be subcutaneous, meaning that it is located immediately under the skin. Fat within the abdominal cavity — often known as internal fat or omental fat — can not be treated with liposuction. This can be determined by a physical exam or our in-office ultrasound machine.
It is important to note that liposuction does not remove cellulite, dimples, or stretch marks, although it can help to change and enhance the contour of the patient’s body.
What Are My Liposuction Options?
There are several liposuction options — and most of them work equally effectively. These include power-assisted liposuction (PAL), VASER, laser-assisted liposuction, and WaterJet liposuction, to name a few.
The key factor to look for is the experience of the surgeon, not the brand of liposuction machine used.
Dr. Fiala has over a decade of experience with the Power-Assisted Lipoplasty (PAL) System. The PAL System features a motorized cannula that vibrates back and forth, much like an electric toothbrush, making the fat easier to remove with less trauma than standard manual liposuction. The PAL system is FDA-approved, clinically effective, and is felt by many experts to represent the best combination of safety and efficacy.
The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, with general anesthesia, in our on-site AAAASF surgical suite. An overnight stay can be arranged for patients who are having larger volumes of liposuction done, or who would prefer the additional recovery time in a monitored, professional setting.
How Is Liposuction Performed?
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery in which the surgeon permanently removes fat deposits from various parts of the body.
The fat is removed via a hollow instrument called a cannula, which is inserted under the skin through a small incision. With the exception of small areas of liposuction, most patients usually opt for general anesthesia, and being completely “asleep” under the watchful eye of an MD anesthesiologist, when this is done.
A key ingredient for good results with liposuction is that the patient should have good quality skin elasticity. Patients with loose or floppy skin are not good candidates for liposuction and may need a different corrective procedure.
What Is Tumescent Liposuction?
The tumescent technique involves injecting fluid into the fat to be treated as a preliminary step before liposuction. This expands the target area, and since the fluid contains a small amount of epinephrine (“adrenaline”), it causes constriction of the blood vessels — meaning less bleeding and bruising for the patient. It’s a widely used technique that is an initial part of liposuction.
Can Liposuctioned Fat Be Used for Anything Else?
Yes. Fat grafting has become an important technique for cosmetic improvement of the face (facial fat transfer), breast (natural breast augmentation), buttock (Brazilian Butt Lift), and other areas. Dr. Fiala performs these treatments as well. Please let us know if you are interested in doing this at the time of your liposuction surgery.
Can I Have Multiple Areas Treated at the Same Time?
Yes, you can treat multiple areas simultaneously. The state of Florida allows for up to 4,000 cc’s of fat to be removed at one time, when liposuction is performed as the sole procedure.
Can Liposuction Tighten My Loose Skin?
No. Liposuction is great for removing fat but notoriously poor at skin tightening. Since liposuction deflates an area, loose skin could actually look looser afterward. The inner thighs and the back of the arm are particularly prone to this problem.
What Do I Do if My Skin Is Too Loose for Liposuction?
We may need to use a different type of surgery when there is loose skin. For example, a tummy tuck might be a better choice if there is a lot of laxity in the tummy area.
Is Liposuction Painful?
Liposuction is performed under anesthesia to prevent any pain during the treatment. It is common to develop some discomfort in the hours and days after a liposuction treatment; however, this can be lessened with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication. For liposuction of the abdomen, chest or flanks, Dr. Fiala performs ultrasound-guided nerve blocks. These have been “game-changers” in making the procedure much more comfortable.
How Long Is Liposuction Recovery?
Most patients will have some bruising, swelling, and general discomfort in the treatment areas that will subside over the following weeks. The swelling gradually subsides over eight to 12 weeks, with final results appearing in approximately six months. Most patients are back to work within a week.
Are My Liposuction Results Permanent?
Yes, assuming your weight is stable. Liposuction permanently removes fat cells, leading to long-lasting results. That being said, it is up to you to maintain those results with a healthy lifestyle, including a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. Just because some fat cells are removed, the remaining fat cells (both in the treatment and the surrounding areas) can still expand if significant weight is gained.
However, if you maintain a stable weight, this treatment can be considered permanent. Some laxity is to be expected with age.
How Much Is Liposuction in Orlando, FL?
Liposuction cost in Orlando, Florida, varies depending on the size of the treatment area, the number of treatment areas, and whether or not the removed fat is being used in a fat grafting procedure. Additional costs include the surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees.
You will be given an accurate cost estimate during your consultation, but you can view our price list to better understand what you can expect.
How Much Weight Will I Lose With Liposuction?
Liposuction isn’t a weight-loss operation — it’s a body contouring technique. While your weight may go down slightly, that’s not how we judge success in this procedure. We want to help smooth out unwanted bulges and improve your contours.
Why Choose Fiala Aesthetics for My Liposuction?
When considering liposuction or any other cosmetic procedure, it is important to find a board-certified plastic surgeon who you can trust, has significant experience, and performs liposuction regularly. It’s important to find a surgeon who will honestly tell you if you are not a good candidate for the surgery.
Liposuction is one of our most popular procedures, and our surgeons are well-regarded in this area. In addition to these criteria, Dr. Fiala is a member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons,and The Aesthetic Society, which is devoted to the highest standards in cosmetic plastic surgery.
Interested in Liposuction in Orlando, FL?
If you are interested in learning more about liposuction in Altamonte Springs and the greater Orlando, Florida, area, contact Dr. Fiala and the award-winning team at Fiala Aesthetics by calling (407) 339-3222 or filling out our online contact form.
Be sure to download our free e-book on liposuction and tummy tuck. It’s filled with answers to frequently asked questions. We recommend you read through this book before your body contouring procedure.