Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction in Los Angeles

Take a moment to find the answers you need about liposuction surgery in Los Angeles offered by Dr. Stoker at Marina Plastic Surgery Associates. Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures offered in Southern California. If you would like additional information, we invite you to use our confidential online form to Chat with Christi. When you are ready to find out if you are a candidate for liposuction, call us at 888.637.8570 or receive a free consultation with Dr. Stoker when you schedule your appointment during one of the convenient times he's set aside exclusively for Web visitors.

What is liposuction?

Sometimes called lipoplasty or liposculpture, liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes localized deposits of fat through tiny incisions to create a more attractive body contour.

What is the most common technique for suctioning fat during liposuction?

The basic suction-assisted liposuction method is still the technique most commonly used for removing fat. During this approach to liposuction, the surgeon's own arm movement must transmit force to the rigid suction tube that sucks and disrupts clusters of fat cells. The vacuum suction device then removes the loose fat. Although this rudimentary technique is still the most common worldwide, it has a number of disadvantages. It is inefficient at removing fat and requires many more passes of the 'cannula', or suction tube. This results in more trauma to surrounding tissues, less precise sculpting and longer operations. Recovery is prolonged and the complication rate is higher. The basic suction technique is inferior to several advanced Los Angeles liposuction techniques now available at Marina Plastic Surgery.

What advanced liposuction techniques are currently available in Southern California?

At our Marina del Rey, California office, Dr. Stoker uses the most advanced procedural techniques to sculpt his liposuction patients. These include power-assisted liposuction, tumescent liposuction and ultrasonic liposuction. For additional information, please see our page about Dr. Stoker's Los Angeles liposuction techniques.

Which liposuction technique is best for me?

This important decision will be made in consultation with Dr. Stoker. Dr. Stoker is a nationally recognized, board-certified plastic surgeon who has pioneered many innovations in liposuction procedures. Dr. Stoker's techniques are used by many other plastic surgeons around the country, and his expertise will determine the best liposuction procedure to help you achieve your desired results.

Is there any scientific evidence to demonstrate that power-assisted liposuction is superior to the other techniques?

Dr. Stoker and his peers have conducted multiple scientific studies comparing hundreds of patients who have undergone power-assisted liposuction and ultrasonic liposuction. This evidence clearly shows that the complication rate of power-assisted liposuction is substantially lower than with ultrasonic liposuction. Also, our patients who have had both techniques performed at different times prefer the faster and more comfortable recovery that follows power-assisted liposuction.

Who are the best candidates for liposuction?

The best candidates for liposuction in Los Angeles have localized deposits of fat, are in good overall health and have sufficient skin elasticity. Please read our page Am I a Candidate for Liposuction? for additional information.

Is liposuction a replacement for diet and exercise?

Liposuction is not a replacement for diet and exercise. The number of pounds of fat that are removed through surgery is limited. When somebody is excessively overweight, diet and exercise should be their first priority

Should I diet and exercise to lose weight before or after liposuction?

Liposuction is an excellent way to change body contours, but it is most effective when the treatment focuses on a few problematic areas. Liposuction is best used as a treatment for diet-resistant areas of fat rather than diffuse collections of fat. Being close to your ideal weight before your procedure is helpful to obtain the best result. Dr. Stoker is still able to achieve satisfying improvements for most patients, even when they are still overweight. Continuing a healthy diet and exercise after liposuction is highly recommended for our Southern California patients.

What happens if I gain weight after liposuction?

Our bodies produce a lifetime of fat cells during childhood before completely stopping fat cell production at puberty. Those fat cells can grow smaller or larger as we lose or gain weight, but the total number of cells in our body will always remain the same. But liposuction can change the rules by permanently ridding the body of fat cells.

The fat cells removed during liposuction will never return. However, fat cells surrounding the treatment area and other fat cells in the body will continue to expand if a patient gains weight after surgery. Patients should continue to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly in order to maintain the optimum physique after liposuction.

Is liposuction safe?

Liposuction is safe when performed by a well-qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. David Stoker. Plastic surgeons generally have a lower complication rate with liposuction than with any other major cosmetic surgery procedure.

Does liposuction hurt?

Patients who have liposuction do experience discomfort, but newer techniques have reduced the amount of pain associated with liposuction procedures. The areas to be sculpted are treated with a long-acting local anesthesia solution that minimizes pain in the hours following the operation. Power-assisted liposuction is much less traumatic to the body and allows patients to recover more quickly with less pain. Tumescent liposuction procedures also reduce the amount of pain and discomfort experienced after the procedure.

How much time do I need to take off from work?

Most patients will return to work within a few days of liposuction surgery. For patients who have many areas treated or who have physically active jobs, it is better to take at least a week to rest after Los Angeles liposuction.

What is the most important decision for a patient considering body sculpting in Los Angeles?

Choosing a surgeon is the most important decision you will make when deciding to undergo body sculpting. If you decide to have your liposuction surgery elsewhere, you should make sure you choose a board certified plastic surgeon who has expertise in liposuction. The quality and experience of the surgeon is of paramount significance.

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