Category: Liposuction

Do you struggle with stubborn, diet-resistant pockets of fat? Maybe you have excess loose skin on your belly and waist due to weight loss, pregnancy, or aging. There is a solution, whether you’re experiencing one of these issues or both. A tummy tuck is typically the best option to smooth and tighten abdominal skin while slimming the midsection. However, liposuction is a less invasive option if your skin is in relatively good shape and your primary concern is stubborn, localized fat. This comprehensive guide will explore how these procedures work and when to combine them for the best results.

4 Min Read:

Your Options for a More Toned and Fit-Looking Body

We’re all trying to look our best and exploring different ways to reach that elusive objective. Liposuction and tummy tuck surgery can enhance the appearance of the abdomen and waist. However, the goals are achieved through different methods. Understanding the differences between these procedures is crucial for anyone considering either to achieve their desired body goals.

Liposuction: Sculpting Your Figure or Physique

Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to remove stubborn pockets of fat from specific areas of the body, including the abdomen. This popular procedure is ideal for individuals close to their ideal body weight who struggle with fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.

The process involves making small incisions in the target area through which a thin, hollow tube called a cannula is inserted. The plastic surgeon will use the cannula to break up the fat and then suction out excess fat cells to sculpt the body and achieve more desirable contours. Liposuction can be performed on various areas of the body, including the chin, abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, and neck.

When to Choose Liposuction

Liposuction is the better option if you meet the following criteria:

• You have localized fat deposits: Liposuction is most effective for addressing specific areas of stubborn fat, such as love handles, saddlebags, or a double chin.
• You have good skin elasticity: Ideal candidates for liposuction have good skin elasticity, as the procedure does not address loose or sagging skin.
• You are near your ideal weight: Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure but rather a body contouring technique. Candidates should be close to their ideal weight and have realistic expectations about the results.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): Tightening Loose Skin and Muscles

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that tightens loose abdominal skin and muscles while removing excess fat in the tummy and waist to create a smoother, firmer abdominal appearance.

During a tummy tuck, an incision is made along the lower abdomen or bikini line, allowing the surgeon to remove the excess fat while tightening skin and underlying muscles. Depending on the extent of the procedure, the belly button may also be repositioned to achieve a more natural-looking result.

When to Choose a Tummy Tuck

After significant weight loss, pregnancy, and sometimes natural aging, this option can correct:

• Muscle weakness: Pregnancy or significant weight fluctuations can lead to the separation of the abdominal muscles, resulting in a protruding belly that is difficult to address with exercise. A tummy tuck can tighten these muscles, restoring a firmer abdominal contour.
• Excess skin and fat: Individuals with significant amounts of loose, hanging skin and residual fat, especially in the lower abdomen, may benefit from a tummy tuck. Excess skin also presents a problem after pregnancy and major weight loss, whether through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery. A tummy tuck can remove excess skin and stretch marks, allowing patients to fully enjoy the results of their weight loss efforts.

Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, or Both: Making the Right Choice

Choosing between liposuction and a tummy tuck depends on your specific body concerns and aesthetic goals. In some cases, individuals may benefit from both procedures to fully achieve their desired results.

Liposuction Alone

If your primary concern is localized fat deposits and you have good skin elasticity, liposuction alone may be sufficient to achieve the desired improvement in body contour. This is often the case for individuals who are relatively close to their ideal weight but struggle with stubborn areas of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise.

Tummy Tuck Alone

A tummy tuck is the most effective option for individuals with significant amounts of loose, hanging skin or weakened abdominal muscles. This procedure can dramatically improve abdominal contour and is particularly beneficial for those who have experienced significant weight loss or pregnancy.

Combination of Liposuction and Tummy Tuck

In some cases, individuals may benefit from a combination of liposuction and a tummy tuck to address both excess fat and loose skin. This approach allows for comprehensive body contouring and sculpting of the abdomen to achieve a firmer, more toned appearance. Fortunately, most plastic surgeons automatically use liposuction with abdominoplasty when needed.

Body Contouring With Liposuction and Abdominoplasty in Pasadena, CA

You want to look your best and be smart about achieving that. Deciding between liposuction and a tummy tuck requires careful consideration of your cosmetic body concerns and aesthetic goals. While liposuction is ideal for targeting localized fat deposits, a tummy tuck is better suited for addressing excess skin and muscle laxity in the abdominal area.

Our reputable and compassionate board-certified plastic surgeon provides tummy tucks and liposuction in Pasadena, California. Call our office today at (626) 623-7135 to schedule a thorough consultation. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff is eager to help you!

Liposuction has become the most sought-after surgical cosmetic treatment in the world because it can improve almost anyone’s physique or figure.

This procedure has seen such a significant rise in popularity because it offers an easy way to sculpt the body by removing stubborn, unwanted fat in several areas.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), liposuction procedures were performed 325,669 times in the United States alone. Its popularity extends globally, with similar trends in many other countries.

Areas Liposuction Can Treat

One of the reasons liposuction is so popular is its versatility. This procedure can remove stubborn fat in the following areas, from the top to bottom of your body:

• Chin
• Neck
• Chest
• Upper Arms
• Upper and Lower Abdomen
• Waist
• Hips
• Buttocks
• Thighs
• Knees
• Ankles

Of these areas, the waist, belly, hips, buttocks, and thighs are the most commonly treated with liposuction. However, enlarged breast tissue in men (gynecomastia) can be treated with this procedure, and many plastic surgeons are using fat grafting, which requires liposuction, for natural breast enhancement and the Brazilian butt lift.

When more correction is needed to recontour the body, liposuction is often used along with abdominoplasty for the best results.

Liposuction is also often combined with a breast augmentation, breast lift surgery, or reduction for a Mommy Makeover.

Benefits of Liposuction

Liposuction offers several benefits, with these five topping the list:

1. Targeted body contouring: Liposuction effectively removes localized fat deposits to provide contouring and shaping in areas resistant to diet and exercise.
2. Fast results: While some swelling is expected, noticeable improvements in body contours are often visible shortly after the procedure.
3. Less invasive: Liposuction is less invasive than other surgical body contouring methods, such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).
4. Shorter Recovery Period: While recovery from abdominoplasty can require two months or more, liposuction takes only two to four weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure.
5. Boost in self-confidence: Achieving a more proportionate body can significantly enhance self-esteem and confidence.

How to Know if You’re a Good Candidate for Liposuction

The liposuction process begins with a personal, in-depth consultation. Choose a reputable plastic surgeon who can thoroughly evaluate your medical history and desired outcome to determine the suitability of liposuction for your needs.

The best candidates for liposuction are healthy non-smokers with good skin elasticity who have realistic expectations for the procedure.

Liposuction Procedure Overview

The procedure may be performed under local or general anesthesia. Once the appropriate anesthetic is administered, tiny incisions are made in the targeted areas.

A thin tube called a cannula is inserted through these incisions to loosen and suction out the unwanted excess fat.

When fat removal is complete, the incisions are closed, and you are monitored in a recovery area. You will be placed in a compression garment to aid in healing and reduce swelling.

The Limits of Liposuction

The popularity of liposuction is tied to its ability to provide significant body contouring improvements less invasively. While the procedure offers numerous benefits, you should weigh its limitations and undergo a thorough consultation to determine if it is the right option for you.

Each individual’s case is unique, so consulting a qualified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Hung, is crucial for personalized guidance and to address specific concerns regarding liposuction.

• Compared to abdominoplasty, which can remove belly fat, tighten loose skin, repair separated core muscles, and remove stretchmarks, liposuction is designed only to remove stubborn pockets of fat.
• Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss, and a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and exercise, is required to maintain results.
• Although rare, liposuction carries certain risks, such as infection and bleeding, which accompany any surgical procedure.
• Liposuction also involves a recovery period. While typically much shorter than that of a tummy tuck, you will need to arrange between one and two weeks to rest before returning to work or your regular activities.

Liposuction in Pasadena, CA

Dr. Vincent Hung is a highly experienced plastic surgeon serving patients from Newport Beach to Pasadena, California. His entire team is dedicated to helping individuals achieve the aesthetic goals they desire, and we welcome you to schedule a consultation. To learn more about liposuction, call 626-432-5032 today.

3 Minute Read:

If you are thinking about undergoing liposuction to sculpt one or more areas of your body, you might wonder exactly how the fat will be removed.

First, let’s talk about the many benefits of lipo.

Why Should I Consider Liposuction?

Liposuction is a highly versatile cosmetic procedure that can remove stubborn, diet and exercise-resistant fat from almost any part of the body, including:

• Under the chin
• Upper arms
• Tummy & waist
• Back
• Hips
• Buttocks
• Thighs

Lipo permanently removes unwanted fat for a smoother, more fit appearance. However, it can’t prevent you from regaining weight in the treated areas, so a healthy diet and exercise are recommended after the procedure.

How Has Liposuction Changed Over the Years?

Liposuction was invented by an Italian physician in 1975 and was first performed in the United States in 1982.

Liposuction initially faced a somewhat bumpy road, as some unqualified individuals offered cheap liposuction services and delivered less-than-ideal results in addition to risking patients’ health.

The procedure uses a thin tube (cannula) inserted into the fat through tiny incisions in the skin. A medical vacuum attached to the cannula sucks fat cells from the area, but before this, the surgeon must loosen the fat to prepare it for removal.

Originally, the only way to prepare the fat was to move the cannula back and forth repeatedly, and this process is still in use.

Fortunately, techniques have improved significantly, and today, liposuction is one of the safest cosmetic surgeries. It is less invasive than other fat-reduction procedures, and more advanced options are available to prepare the fat for removal.

Advanced Liposuction Fat Preparation Options

While traditional liposuction still uses the cannula to break up the fat, this method often leads to more bruising and post-operative discomfort.

The following advanced liposuction options may result in an easier recovery and better results:

• Tumescent Liposuction Technique

The tumescent technique involves an anesthetic liquid being injected into the targeted areas of fat which causes the fat to swell and liquify, making it easier to remove.

• Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL)

Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) uses high-frequency sound waves to loosen the fat before removal. The surgeon inserts a specially designed cannula to deliver thermal and vibratory energy deep into the fatty tissue to allow larger amounts of fat to be removed.

These advanced techniques help patients achieve better-looking results with less discomfort and faster recovery times.

How Else Can Liposuction Be Useful?

The benefits of liposuction aren’t just limited to fat removal. This technique is also useful when used for fat transfer. Fat is a natural augmenting material, and it can be used to increase volume throughout the face and body. Fat can also be used in reconstruction procedures to fill in divots left from Mohs surgery or other skin cancer removal treatments.

This multi-step treatment first removes the fat with gentle liposuction techniques, purifies the removed fat, and injects that fat into the desired body or face area.

Want to Learn More About Liposuction in Pasadena, CA?

If you want to learn more about your available advanced liposuction techniques in or near Pasadena, California, please contact our office at 626-432-5032.

Dr. Hung Also Offers Liposuction in Newport Beach, CA

You can also reach Dr. Hung at his Newport Beach, California, office to ask questions about liposuction or schedule a consultation at 949-574-8292.

4 Minute Read: 

With the new decade beginning, more than one of you is likely thinking about improving your physique. Looking fit and sculpting your body always tops the list of New Year’s resolutions. For some, this means plastic surgery.

Body contouring allows men and women who are close to their ideal weight trim, sculpt, and enhance their physical contours. 

Liposuction and tummy tuck surgery are popular body enhancement surgeries. And while many people know the names of these procedures—through media or word of mouth, they do not always know what they can actually accomplish. 

While there is so much that these procedures can do, there are also certain things that they cannot. It is beneficial to understand what these treatments are and how they work so that you have realistic expectations.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes a targeted amount of excess fat from various regions of the body. 

Some of these regions include the:

• Abdomen
• Hips
• Thighs
• Back
• Buttocks
• Arms
• Chest
• Under the Neck

Various techniques can be implemented during a liposuction procedure. Two of the most common methods are the tumescent technique and the ultrasound-assisted technique (UAL).

Tumescent Liposuction

1. Small incisions are made in the area of desired fat reduction.
2. Sterile fluid is injected through those incisions that cause the fat cells to swell
3. A hollow tube is inserted into the incisions, and a rapid back-and-forth-motion breaks up the fat.
4. This tube is attached to a vacuuming device that permanently suctions out the fat

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

1. Small incisions are made in the area of desired fat reduction.
2. Ultrasound energy is applied to the treatment area to liquefy the fat cells.
3. The liquified fat is suctioned out through a hollow tube.

What Is Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, sculpts the midsection by removing excess fat and skin and tightening loose or separated abdominal muscles.

An incision is made across the lower abdomen from hip to hip. This incision is placed low enough that it can easily be covered by underwear or bathing suits. 

What Can Liposuction and Tummy Tuck Not Do?

Liposuction and tummy tuck surgery are incredibly beneficial when they are chosen for the right reasons. These procedures are designed to be about body sculpting, not weight loss, and the combination of these procedures can provide optimal results for patients who have excess pockets of fat and loose abdominal skin.

Neither of these procedures is an alternative to weight loss or a healthy lifestyle. Instead, they should only be performed on those who already work out and are close to their ideal weight.

Liposuction cannot address skin laxity, and tummy tuck surgery does not remove fat in the regions surrounding the lower abdomen.

When Are Body Contouring Procedures Appropriate?

Did You Lose Weight?

When you gain weight, your skin thins as it stretches over your expanding contours.

Unfortunately, even though it can expand, it cannot always contract after the weight is lost. Its inability to do so often results in loose, hanging skin that is only eliminated through a surgical procedure like abdominoplasty. 

Tummy tuck surgery eliminates the abdominal skin laxity that resulted from significant weight loss while liposuction removes the localized fat deposits that remain. These procedures are often the final step in a substantial weight loss transformation.

Did You Have a Baby?

Pregnancy and childbirth create lasting abdominal damage and the development of fat pockets across the body. This is due to the rapid fluctuations in weight and hormone levels. 

Body contouring like liposuction and tummy tuck surgery can help restore your body after pregnancy.

Do You Have Age-Related Laxity?

Some people who develop loose skin on their abdomen or excess pockets of fat on their abdomen do not fall into either of the above categories. This is because skin laxity and excess fat is another side effect of aging. 

Body contouring counteracts the physical changes that occurred due to the aging process.

How About More Information?

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of body contouring or if you would like to set up a consultation with Dr. Hung, contact his office by calling his Pasadena office at (626) 432-5032 or his Newport Beach office at (949) 574-8292. You can also fill out his online contact form. 

Dr. Hung offers plastic and reconstructive procedures for men and women in Pasadena and Newport Beach.