Sometimes fat can accumulate in specific areas of your body, known as “fat zones.” These areas can be a source of distress, especially when you have done all you can to lose weight with diet and exercise. Liposuction can positively transform your figure by slimming specific areas in your body.

Oftentimes, liposuction is used to complement other plastic surgery treatments, like facelifts, breast reductions, tummy tucks, thigh lifts, and so forth. Learn how liposuction at Gary Takowsky, MD in Beverly Hills can help you improve your body’s shape and proportion.

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What is Liposuction?

Liposuction, sometimes referred to as lipoplasty, liposculpture suction, or lipectomy, is a plastic surgery that suctions fat from targeted areas in the body. With liposuction, you can thin out confined areas of fat all over your body. The most common areas where people receive liposuction, include:
  • Thighs
  • Abdomen and waist
  • Hips and Buttocks
  • Back
  • Upper arms
  • Face and neck area
  • Calves and ankles


Typically, liposuction is performed as an outpatient procedure in our surgical center. Depending on the complexity of the area and amount of fat you want removed, you typically will not have to stay overnight. In most cases, we use local anesthesia.

If you are feeling anxious about your treatment, we might help you relax with a sedatives. If you are having a large amount of fat removed or in a large area, your procedure might require general anesthesia or deep sedation. Liposuction is a fairly simple procedure. With advances in techniques and technology, it is easier, safer, and less painful than ever.

Types of Liposuction

During your liposuction treatment, Dr. Takowsky will make a small incision in the skin, then place a small and thin tube called a cannula through the cuts. Next, fat is vacuumed out through the tubes, and the cannula is moved to different areas under the skin to reach localized fat deposits. The most common techniques of liposuction, include:
  • Tumescent liposuction. Dr. Takowsky uses this technique by numbing the area of your body, where the cannula will be placed. Then, he injects a large amount of anesthetic into the area to expand and harden the fat, allowing it to be easily suctioned. Then, the cannula is placed through an incision to vacuum out the fat, and the incision is closed with deep and superficial sutures. This technique takes between one and three hours, depending on the complexity of the area.

Are You a Candidate for Liposuction?

Before getting liposuction, Dr. Takowsky will assess your candidacy during your initial consultation. To be a candidate for liposuction, you should be in good mental and physical health. If you have circulation problems, diabetes, or autoimmune disease, you might not be a candidate for liposuction, as this could hinder your healing process. You will also need to stop smoking for at least two months before and after your surgery.

Recovering from Liposuction

After your liposuction procedure, you might experience some swelling and inflammation. Typically, swelling will diminish after about four weeks. Afterwards, you will be able to see the positive results of your liposuction treatment. It is important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle after your procedure to prevent gaining fat in the treated area.

Having Realistic Expectations for Liposuction

Before deciding for liposuction, it is important to have practical expectations for the end result. Remember that liposuction is not a realistic treatment for obesity or a replacement for diet and exercise. Unless you are getting liposuction with another treatment, it typically does not smooth out the skin over the area where the fat is removed. With that said, you might see some loose skin in the treated area. However, the skin will usually tighten over the next six months, depending on your skin elasticity.

Liposuction Vs Liposculpture

The terms “liposculpture” and “liposuction” are often used interchangeably. However, they are two separate procedures. As we mentioned earlier, liposuction is the removal of fat cells to make an area thinner.

On the other hand, liposculpture uses the removal of fat to sculpt the body. For instance, thigh lifts can be a version of liposculpture, when we not only remove the fat cells, but also contour the shape of the leg.

Tummy tucks can also be considered liposuction. Even though liposculpture and liposuction are a little bit different, both treatments are performed with your aesthetic results as the end goal. With that said, we will not recommend the removal of too much fat, if this removal will negatively impact the overall aesthetic outcome.

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon in Beverly Hills for Liposuction

After deciding on liposuction, it is important to choose a trustworthy and experienced plastic surgeon. With over 30 years of plastic surgery experience, Dr. Gary Takowsky is one of the most qualified liposuction providers in Beverly Hills. At Gary Takowsky MD, our priority is your happiness. Schedule a consultation today at 323-676-0222.