Dr. DeConti uses science, skill, and art with liposuction Richmond VA to reshape, sculpt, and streamline those areas of your body where stubborn fat tends to collect. Many of these areas are resistant to exercise because of specific biological characteristics. Using liposuction by removing stubborn fat deposits, Dr. DeConti can improve cosmetic appearance and restore the harmonious shape of the patient’s body. Dr. DeConti has performed thousands of liposuction surgeries and has gotten great results for his patients.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction has been around for over 40 years and is a suction-assisted surgical procedure used to remove fat cells from the body. Liposuction Richmond VA is the most common cosmetic procedure performed to remove fat in both men and women.

Liposuction is not a weight loss alternative, but we often use it as a catalyst in heavier patients to give them a head start. Liposuction can reduce disproportionately large hips, buttocks, thighs, protruding abdomen, lateral chest wall (bra fat), or “love handles” above the waist. It helps remove fat on the arms, calves, knees, around the buttocks (the “banana roll”), and under the chin.

Liposuction is also a critical tool in a variety of other plastic surgery procedures including:

gynecomastia
breast augmentation
breast lift
tummy tuck
thigh lift
Brazilian butt lift
body contouring
arm lift
facelift

Liposuction and fat transfer (also known as fat grafting or fat injection) are procedures that complement each other very well. We offer both at DeConti Plastic Surgery.

Am I a good liposuction candidate?

Individuals who have localized areas of fat that are disproportionate to the rest of their body can often benefit from this procedure. It’s important to have realistic expectations and understand the treatment options. Ideal candidates will have good overall health, good skin elasticity, be below body mass index (BMI) 35, and be non-smokers. Since the elasticity of skin diminishes as you age, older patients may be unable to achieve the same results as a more youthful person with firmer skin.

A consultation with Dr. DeConti can determine if this procedure is right for you. Dr. DeConti personally conducts each and every liposuction consult from start to finish. He urges prospective patients to settle for nothing less when getting different opinions about liposuction near me. If you’re unhappy with how your body is proportioned, then liposuction might be a good choice for you.

What are the benefits of liposuction?

Liposuction can help remove stubborn fat that you are not able to get rid of with diet and exercise. Liposuction can boost your self-confidence and give you a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Some patients report that after having liposuction surgery they can incorporate exercise into their daily life more easily and feel motivated to continue with a healthy lifestyle. Some patients benefit from liposuction and abdominoplasty after losing a significant amount of weight to improve their body contour.

During your consultation, Richmond plastic surgeon Dr. DeConti will discuss your goals and recommend an individualized procedure to achieve your best outcome. Patients who are realistic about what they can expect from liposuction often get a boost of self-confidence along with an improved appearance, which is always Dr. DeConti’s goal.

How is liposuction performed?

Liposuction Richmond VA is performed using the Tumescent liposuction technique, incorporating a SAFE and High Definition liposuction. The primary target is excess fat located between the skin and the muscle tissue. A solution containing a local anesthetic and epinephrine is injected into the targeted areas of excessive fatty deposits. The solution causes the blood vessels to temporarily shrink, greatly reducing blood loss during the procedure, and reduces bruising, swelling and pain after the procedure. After the solution is injected, the surgeon makes tiny, hidden incisions to insert a thin, hollow tube (called a cannula) beneath the skin and the cannula is attached to a syringe or a vacuum suction device used to remove the fat. Once the fatty tissue is removed, liposuction relies on the overlying skin to redrape over the area.

Liposuction Richmond VA is performed in an outpatient surgical suite with regional or general anesthesia using the tumescent liposuction technique and deep sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. DeConti utilizes anesthesia providers who focus on giving the patient the best and safest surgical experience possible and surgical time varies from 1 to 3 hours depending on the number of sites suctioned.

Patients return home shortly after the procedure has been completed and should arrange for a ride home. If a significant amount of fat is removed, then overnight hospitalization may be required. Liposuction scars are minimized by the use of small incisions placed within the natural creases of the body. This allows them to heal remarkably well leaving little evidence that the procedure was performed.

What can I expect for liposuction recovery?

The recovery period and aftercare instructions will depend on the treatment area’s size and your natural healing process. Following your liposuction procedure, special compression garments (which looks and feels like Spanx) should be worn for up to 3 weeks to diminish swelling and help the skin contract and heal. Redness, bruising, and swelling are expected, and any discomfort can be controlled with pain medication. Most patients do not report significant pain after liposuction.

Activities will be restricted for the first week and patients can usually return to work in a week. Strenuous activity is restricted for two weeks or as advised by Dr. DeConti. Recovery time may differ from patient to patient and is dependent on the specific locations and number of areas treated.

Some patients notice liposuction results immediately, but as swelling continues to subside, more in-depth contouring becomes apparent a few weeks following the procedure. Long-lasting liposuction richmond va results can be maintained by following a healthy lifestyle, as this may prevent weight gain.

What are the risks of liposuction and is liposuction safe?

Like all surgery, tumescent liposuction carries both benefits and risks. Complications are rare and typically minor.

Liposuction risks or side effects include:

Fluid accumulation under the skin
Temporary or permanent sensory changes
Contour irregularities
Fat embolism
Skin looseness or wrinkles

The frequency of complications is significantly reduced when the procedure is performed by a qualified and well-trained plastic surgeon.

Liposuction only removes fat and thus cannot remove excess skin laxity or surface irregularities. If the skin loses its elasticity or there are contour deformities, a skin tightening procedure such as a tummy tuck, thigh lift, buttock lift, or arm lift could be performed. Contour deformities may be improved with fat injections.

What areas of the body can be treated with liposuction?

Liposuction Richmond VA can have fantastic results in patients of all ages and body types and is possible in almost any area of the body. Many of our patients opt to target more than one area of the body during their liposuction procedure because, by targeting multiple areas, patients see much more pronounced results.

The weight of the patient and the extension of the treatment areas determine the number of treated areas in one procedure.

Liposuction can also be combined with various other procedures for women as a Mommy Makeover and for men in combining gynecomastia surgery with abdominal liposuction.

Liposuction can be performed on the following areas:

Abdominal wall liposuction, upper and lower (“muffin top“)
Arm liposuction
Breast (lateral), axilla, and back liposuction (“bra fat” “bra-bulge” “back fat”)
Buttocks liposuction (“banana roll”) or we often transfer fat into the buttocks for a much more shapely butt
Chest liposuction and pectoral area (“man boobs”)
Facial liposuction – Chin liposuction, Jowl, and Neck liposuction (“double chin”)
Flanks, upper and lower (“love handles”)
Hips
Legs
Calves and ankles (“cankles”)
Inner thighs and inner knees
Outer thighs (“saddlebags”)

Check out our liposuction before and after pictures treated by Dr. DeConti. The results will amaze you! For more information call 804 673-8000 or complete our Online Consultation Request to schedule a consultation at DeConti Plastic Surgery today.

How much does liposuction cost?

The cost of liposuction is dependent on several factors, including the number of areas treated and the amount and quality of fatty tissue to be removed. In general, liposuction of a larger area like the abdomen will cost more than liposuction of a smaller area, such as the chin. The cost for a liposuction richmond va procedure ranges from $5000 to $12,000. This fee includes operating room, anesthesia, and procedure fees. We offer financing to make it easier for our patients to afford all of the benefits of liposuction.

What are the types of liposuction techniques?

All types of liposuction break apart fat deposits and removes it from the body using anesthesia, saline solution, and cannulas to suction out the fat from under the skin. Water pressure, laser, and ultrasonic technology are ways that the fat deposits can be broken apart before the suction procedure. Dr. DeConti believes that it is not the specific type that gives patients excellent liposculturing but instead it is the skill of the surgeon. Dr. DeConti is a double-board certified Richmond plastic surgeon which greatly improves the chances for safety and optimal results.

High Definition Liposuction

High definition liposuction utilizes the artistic principles of light and shadow to provide a sculpted look. Dr. DeConti removes large quantities of fat in some locations while avoiding certain areas “no go” zones. This provides men and women with a shaped and muscular look.

Laser liposuction

Laser transfers thermal energy directly to fat cells and melts the fat, disrupting the fatty tissue for removal. Smart Lipo and SlimLipo are types of medical devices made exclusively for performing laser-assisted lipolysis.

Nutational Infrasonic Liposculpture

This procedure uses infrasonic vibrations to liquefy the fat deposits in the body to be removed. Tickle Lipo is a non-invasive type of liposuction that uses local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia.

Power-assisted Liposuction

Power assisted liposuction describes a method of liposuction that utilizes a cannula with a vibrating tip to break down dense deposits of fat quicker and easier for a faster recovery.

SAFE Liposuction

SAFE liposuction stands for liposuction with Separation, Aspiration, and Fat Equalization and breaks up adhesions and scar tissue between the dermis, fascia, and fatty tissue to create a uniform subcutaneous fat layer. SAFE liposuction helps to avoid contour deformity and inadequately treated areas.

Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction adds fluid and epinephrine to traditional liposuction techniques, effectively minimizing bleeding while also permitting a less painful procedure. Tumescent liposuction also can help to avoid bruising and soreness. SmartLipo, Laser Lipo, and VASER liposuction are all forms of Tumescent liposuction body-contouring.

Ultrasonic Liposuction

Pulsing ultrasound waves are another way to disrupt the bonds between fat cells and to break down fat. VASER liposuction (vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance) is one type of ultrasonic liposuction.

Water-assisted Liposuction

Water-assisted liposuction uses a pressurized stream of water attached to the end of the cannula to dislodge and remove the fat cells. Body Jet Lipo and WaterLipo are types of water-assisted liposuction.

How does liposuction compare to non-surgical techniques?

Liposuction is a definitive treatment to remove fat deposits and lipodystrophy from the body. Unlike non-surgical treatments, liposuction removes fat from the body and places it in a bottle. Liposuction is performed once, whereas nonsurgical procedures involve multiple sessions (as many as 6-8 at times). The results of liposuction are much more definitive than non-surgical techniques. Also, larger areas can be targeted with tumescent liposuction.

How much weight can I lose from liposuction?

Liposuction removes fat. The amount of weight loss will depend on the amount of fat removed. A liter of fat weighs about 2 pounds. The maximum amount of fat that can be removed as an out-patient procedure is 5 liters. Therefore, the total amount of weight loss would be ten pounds.

How long does it take for drainage to stop after liposuction?

Drainage from the incisions after liposuction can take three to five days to stop. It can take up to seven to ten days in some individuals. The draining is actually a good thing because it allows the fluid not to build up under the skin and cause infection. It can help with decreases swelling and shorten the healing time.

What happens to my remaining fat cells after liposuction?

During liposuction, Dr. DeConti removes a portion of the fat cells from the targeted area, but not all of the fat cells can be removed, as it would be unsafe to remove too much. The remaining fat cells in the treated area will be smaller in size as a result of the procedure. They will remain viable and can continue to store fat if an individual consumes more calories than they burn.

It’s important to note that the body does not generate new fat cells after puberty. Therefore, the fat cells that remain after liposuction are permanent and will not be replaced by new ones. However, the remaining fat cells can still expand and accumulate fat if an individual does not maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise.

After liposuction, it is important for individuals to maintain a healthy weight to prevent the remaining fat cells from expanding. This will help maintain long-lasting results. A healthy lifestyle can also help to prevent the formation of new pockets of fat in other areas of the body.

Is CoolSculpting or Liposonix the same as liposuction?

These are types of non-surgical body-contouring procedures and are not liposuction. The results will not be as dramatic as they would be with liposuction. Liposuction can remove a higher volume of fat tissue in a single treatment. Liposonix is a body-contouring device that uses high-intensity ultrasound energy (HIFU) to destroy fat cells for the abdomen and love handles. CoolSculpting is a body-contouring devise that uses cryolipolysis, extreme cold energy, to destroy fat cells in love handles or outer thighs. Liposonix and CoolSculpting require multiple treatment sessions.

Why do people not regain their weight after liposuction?

While it’s not entirely accurate to say that people never regain weight after liposuction, there are reasons why some individuals might find it easier to maintain their weight loss after the procedure compared to other weight loss methods.

Here are a few factors that contribute to this phenomenon:

Fat Cell Reduction: Liposuction physically removes fat cells from specific areas of the body. Since the number of fat cells in those treated areas is reduced, there is less capacity for fat storage in those regions. This can make it more difficult for fat to accumulate in those areas, even if the individual gains weight.
Incentive for Healthy Lifestyle: People who undergo liposuction often invest time, effort, and money into the procedure. This can serve as a strong incentive for them to adopt and maintain a healthier lifestyle after the surgery. They might be more motivated to exercise regularly and make healthier dietary choices to preserve the results of the surgery.
Mindset Shift: Liposuction can sometimes lead to a shift in the individual’s mindset about their body and health. They might become more conscious of their appearance and overall health, making them more likely to make sustainable changes to their lifestyle to maintain the improvements achieved through liposuction.
Learning from the Process: The process of undergoing liposuction and the subsequent recovery period can provide individuals with insights into their body’s response to weight gain and the challenges of surgery. This newfound understanding can encourage them to avoid behaviors that led to weight gain in the first place.
Professional Guidance: Many individuals who undergo liposuction are closely supervised by medical professionals during their recovery period. This can involve counseling on nutrition, exercise, and overall health management, which can contribute to long-term weight maintenance.

However, it’s important to note that liposuction is not a guarantee against weight regain. It is possible for individuals to regain weight if they do not maintain a healthy lifestyle. If they consume excess calories and do not engage in regular physical activity, the body can store fat in untreated areas or the remaining fat cells can expand, leading to weight gain. Additionally, genetics, hormonal changes, and aging can also influence weight management after liposuction.

Ultimately, while liposuction can provide noticeable improvements in body contour and help jumpstart a healthier lifestyle, maintaining long-term weight loss and a healthy physique still requires commitment to a balanced diet, regular exercise, and overall healthy habits.

Where do our Patients come from?

Because of the state of the art techniques and high quality of care you will receive we commonly see patients travel from all over Virginia including Charlottesville, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, Washington, D.C. and other surrounding areas including Maryland and North Carolina.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. DeConti today!

If you cannot correct unwanted, stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise, our liposuction can be the right solution for you. To schedule your consultation, contact DeConti Plastic Surgery today at 804 673-8000 or complete our Online Consultation Request.

Learn more:

Liposuction Before and After Photos
Liposuction 3D Animation Video
The American Society of Plastic Surgery
The Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgeons