Liposuction

Liposuction – or “lipo” – is a surgical process to remove targeted areas of excess fat. The goal of this procedure is improving specific body contours. During the treatment, a small metal tube or ‘cannula' is inserted into the layer of fat between the skin and muscle. Gentle suction is applied to remove excess fatty tissue.

Is liposuction right for me?

This technique was designed for people who are at or near their goal weight, but still have stubborn pockets of fat remaining. It is not considered to be a weight loss procedure; at most, five pounds of fat is removed during liposuction surgery. Instead, patients should consider this to be a method to sculpt specific areas of the body such as the abdomen, thighs, arms, or buttocks. You may be a good candidate if you are less than 30 pounds overweight, and have fat deposits located in just a few body areas.

How much does lipo cost?

Lipo-related costs vary significantly based on the body area, the volume of fat removed, and the specific technique used during the procedure. In the West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens area, these costs are typically between $3,000 and $6,000.

How involved is the liposuction procedure?

Most liposuction procedures performed in the West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens area can be accomplished with general anesthesia. Those on smaller areas of the body, or removing smaller volumes of fat, tend to be less involved than procedures treating a larger portion of the body. First, small incisions are made to allow the insertion of a small tube into the fat underneath the skin. Then, a solution containing lidocaine (anesthetic) and saline (salt water) is injected to numb the area and break apart the fat to make it easier to remove. Next, gentle suction is used to remove the targeted fat cells. The remaining fat is sculpted into natural-looking contours. This process can take anywhere from one to five hours depending on the extent of surgical work being done.

What liposuction techniques are available?

In addition to the basic technique offered above, Dr. Kapp also uses two specialized liposuction techniques which make the fat cells easier to remove, thereby minimizing the effect on surrounding cells and reducing the recovery time. Laser liposuction uses laser energy to break apart the fat deposit, while Water Jet Liposuction utilizes a fan-shaped stream of water for the same purpose.

How long is the recovery after liposuction?

After undergoing liposuction, some patients are back to work in as little as three days. Other West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens area patients take a week to ten days to recover. In general, treatment of larger body parts or large volume fat removal require a lengthier recovery process. Side effects such as swelling, bruising, and redness can be expected; wearing a compression garment over the treated area can help to reduce these side effects and help the body adjust to its new contours.

What should I do next?

If you've tried changing your diet and exercising, but still have stubborn areas of fat that won't go away, liposuction may be right for you. Call Dr. Kapp today at (561) 833-4022 or fill out our online form for your consultation.