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Liposuction Tampa, FL

Get Rid of Stubborn Fat Cells for Good!

Fat cells are stubborn and can be frustrating as well. Sometimes, despite your best intentions and efforts to get rid of them, the fat remains. That may be the time to take the battle against fat to “the next level,” with help from our Tampa liposuction specialists.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction, often called “lipo,” improves body contours by removing targeted fat cells.

Liposuction is an excellent option for people who have tried to spot-reduce areas of excess fat through dieting and exercise but have not seen the results they wanted.

Tampa liposuction model wearing a black bathing suit at the beach

How Does Liposuction Work?

Liposuction works by breaking up fats and then suctioning them out of the body. Specifically, liposuction completely and permanently removes targeted fat cells in specific body areas.

This sculpting technique is one of the most common procedures performed today, with minimal incisions placed in natural creases to allow access to the middle and deep fat compartments for extraction. Liposuction is ideally suited for fat removal where the integrity of the underlying musculature is good and the elasticity of the skin is sufficient to shrink smoothly to the contour of the fat removed.

Today's technology has enhanced the safety of the procedure and the precision of the results. Using liposuction Tampa cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bruce Landon can improve the shape and contours of areas like the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, back and arms. He can make the legs and arms appear slimmer, and the abdomen flatter. Facial liposuction can help to sculpt the face and neck. For example, it can be used to remove fatty deposits along the jawline or underneath the chin.

Are there different types of liposuction surgery?

Many methods of liposuction are currently available and include ultrasonic, tumescent techniques and laser assisted. Your method is dependent upon your relative amount of fat excess, skin type and age.

There are several ways to perform liposuction using different instruments and technology. Traditional liposuction involves inserting a long, thin tube (called a cannula) through incisions in the treatment area and moving it back and forth through the fat layer to break up the fat. Then, the fat is suctioned out of the body.

Ultrasound liposuction involves a special cannula that emits ultrasonic energy to break up fat and make it easier to remove. Vaser is one of the more well-known ultrasound liposuction systems. Tumescent liposuction involves injecting a tumescent "wetting" solution into the treatment area to firm up fat and make it easier to suction out of the body. This wetting solution contains a local anesthetic, for pain management, and epinephrine, which constricts the blood vessels to minimize bleeding and swelling.

Tampa Liposuction models at the beach

What Body Areas Can Be Treated Using Liposuction?

Liposuction can help you permanently remove fat cells in the following areas:

  • Abdomen
  • Upper arms
  • Buttocks
  • Calves and ankles
  • Chest
  • Back
  • Hips
  • Thighs
  • Knees
  • Chin and neck

What Liposuction Can’t Do

Liposuction does not treat obesity and is not a substitute for diet and proper exercise. Liposuction is not intended to improve or remove cellulite, and, in many instances, may make such dimpling worse.

What Are the Unique Benefits and Advantages of Liposuction?

Liposuction produces impressive results. Fat cells removed through liposuction cannot grow back.

Following liposuction Tampa patients can expect their skin to mold itself to the new contours of the treated areas. Remember that liposuction can be performed alone or combined with other procedures such as facelift, breast reduction, or a tummy tuck.

Tampa liposuction model staring out into the blue ocean.

Are You a Candidate for Liposuction?

The best liposuction candidates are healthy, active individuals with localized areas of unwanted fat. Liposuction is not an effective weight loss method, and candidates should be within 20 pounds of their ideal weight.

The best lipo results are achieved by patients who have too much fat in specific areas but otherwise have a healthy and stable body weight. If you have coronary artery disease, diabetes, or a compromised immune system, you may be disqualified as a candidate for liposuction.

Good candidates for liposuction also have firm, elastic skin that will contract over the body's newly sculpted curves and contours after surgery. Dr. Landon meets with every Tampa liposuction candidate one-on-one to determine whether liposuction is best for their needs, and to recommend an alternative if it is more suitable.

Selecting the Right Doctor

Keep in mind that the success of your liposuction procedure depends largely on the skill and experience of your surgeon. Our Plastic Surgeon Dr. Landon is a premier surgeon in Tampa with extensive training and many years of experience. He also has an eye for balance and proportion, which helps him deliver beautiful and natural-looking results.

Tampa liposuction patient model

Your Procedure

General anesthesia is commonly used for patient comfort. At Landon Plastic Surgery, your liposuction will be performed in our AAAASF certified operating suite. AAAASF is an acronym for the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities.

You will typically be scheduled to arrive one hour before your procedure. First, your skin will be thoroughly cleansed to reduce the risk of surgical infection. Then, once your anesthesia has been administered and you are sufficiently sedated, your targeted treatment areas will be injected with a cocktail of medications designed to break up your fat cells.

Your surgeon will use one of several techniques depending on your goals and treatment areas. The selected technique may involve the use of ultrasound or lasers. The surgical team will monitor your vitals throughout your procedure, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level. Your procedure may last up to several hours, depending on the size of your treatment areas and the extent of fat in them.

Your access incisions will be closed with an absorbable material following your fat removal. Your surgical team will put a compressive garment on your treated areas immediately after surgery to minimize fluid accumulation and enhance your long-term results. You will typically spend a few hours in a recovery room so that medical personnel can make sure your body has cleared your anesthesia and that you are “good to go.” Make sure you have arranged for someone to drive you home and that you have some help at home for at least the first night following your liposuction.

Recovery

You can expect some pain, swelling, and bruising after your liposuction procedure. Your surgeon will provide pain medication as appropriate and may also prescribe antibiotics to guard against infection.

You will probably need to wear compression garments for a few weeks to reduce swelling. Patients are encouraged to start moving around the day after treatment. Usually, you can return to work in 3-5 days, but you may need a few weeks before resuming your normal activities, including exercise.

Aftercare and Followup

All patients are seen within 48 hours of their liposuction. The skin is thoroughly evaluated, and additional instructions are provided at that time. Continued improvement occurs for up to 6 months and ongoing improvement is the norm.

Results

Your post-surgical swelling will hide your results for a few weeks. But once that swelling resolves, your treated areas will look less bulky.

Most patients achieve 90 percent of their desired results within three months following their treatment. However, it may take up to six months for your treated areas to heal fully. After that, your results can be very durable and even permanent if you maintain a healthy and stable weight.

Survey results reveal that more than 90 percent of liposuction patients are happy with the results. Remember, the fat cells that were suctioned from your body are permanently removed and cannot regenerate in those treated areas. But you will still need to watch your weight to keep fat from building up in untreated areas.

Tampa Liposuction model
Tampa skyline

Schedule a Consultation at Landon Plastic Surgery and Med Spa in Tampa, FL

Liposuction has improved many women's and men's happiness, self-esteem, and appearance. Landon Plastic Surgery and Medspa is Tampa's leading and most trusted facility of its kind. Medical Director Dr. Bruce Landon is double board-certified in plastic surgery and is a fellow of both The American College of Surgeons and The American Society of Plastic Surgery. In addition, Dr. Landon is a bonafide expert in liposuction and has practiced in Tampa for more than two decades. He invites you to learn more about liposuction by calling 813-531-7854.

Liposuction FAQs

Liposuction permanently removes fat cells in treated areas. But the procedure does not change how your body processes and stores fat. So if you gain weight in the future, your treated areas will remain fat-free, but the new fat will be stored in some other area of your body.

Pain will vary from person to person. But most patients say their treated areas just feel like a large bruise and that their level of discomfort does not interfere with their concentration.

Over-the-counter products are usually sufficient to control pain, but your doctor can prescribe additional medication as needed and appropriate.

All such procedures carry risks, including bleeding and reaction to anesthesia. Possible complications specific to liposuction include:

  • Infection
  • Poor wound healing
  • Allergic reaction to medications or materials
  • Numbness
  • Organ puncture
  • Fat embolism
  • Fluid accumulation, which in rare cases have caused kidney, heart, and lung problems

A liposuction session can safely remove between six and eight pounds of fat (3-4 liters).

Scars are minimal because the incisions made during liposuction are tiny. Scarring is also dependent on the skill of your surgeon and each patient’s genetic scarring tendencies.

Since liposuction is almost always classified as a cosmetic procedure, it is very unlikely that your insurance will pay.

Costs will depend on the number, size, and locations of your treatment areas. Have a conversation with your doctor about liposuction costs before your procedure.