Liposuction

Ideal Candidates for Liposuction

Liposuction is not a quick fix for weight loss or obesity. The surgery is suited for those who have a stable body weight (within 20 pounds of “ideal body weight”) and maintain a proper diet and exercise routine. The ideal candidates for liposuction surgery must be in good health and should have a comprehensive understanding of the procedure, including potential risks, benefits, and costs. A potential candidate must also maintain realistic expectations for the procedure.

The best way to know if you would be a good candidate for liposuction is to schedule your own consultation with a cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Sikorski of Natural Image OC.

What Are the Costs Related to Liposuction?

Depending on the area or size of the area targeted, Liposuction procedures typically range from $4,000 to $12,000, and multiple areas can be bundled together to give a decreased price. The amount of fat to be removed and the amount of time and effort required by the surgeon to complete the liposuction are taken into consideration. Liposuction costs include the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, operating room fees, pre-op, and follow-up visits. A final ticket price is provided after a patient is fully evaluated to assess their respective liposuction surgery needs.

As an AAAHC accredited outpatient surgery center, Natural Image OC boasts fair pricing with a 25% decrease in average pricing related to liposuction surgery.  We reduce the additional costs typically related to satellite surgical centers and forego “overtime” costs that can accrue from extra surgery time or anesthesiologist fees.

The Consultation  

Dr. Sikorski understands the reasons for undergoing liposuction surgery are very personal. There is no “one size fits all” method when considering liposuction.

A highly personalized free consultation with Dr. Sikorski is the first step in ensuring that we customize your goals and follow an effective course of action for you. In this initial consultation, she will be happy to go over your options for liposuction surgery. She will examine your body or face, discuss cosmetic preferences, and target specific areas of concern. This personalized consultation ensures we accurately achieve a suitable direction for your aesthetic ideal before proceeding with the liposuction procedure.

An initial consultation will take about one hour or more. In your consultation, Dr. Sikorski will:

• Listen to what you want to achieve with your surgery
• Perform a thorough examination
• Tell you her exact recommendations and reasoning behind them
• Allow you to ask any questions you have regarding financing and liposuction procedures

Her approach facilitates a comfortable environment with open two-way communication. Conversation during this consultation will aim to explore and inform you about all procedures so that we can accomplish your desired cosmetic result and deliver an enormous boost of confidence that comes with this life-changing body or face contouring surgery.

Areas of the Body that Liposuction Can Treat

Based on your unique needs, liposuction can be performed on multiple parts of the body and face. Areas that are popularly requested by our patients include:

What Should I Expect During the Liposuction Surgery?

Our trained professionals are skilled at creating a comfortable and safe experience for every one of our patients. On an annual basis, Dr. Sikorski completes hundreds of successful liposuction surgeries. General, local, or twilight anesthesia administered by our experienced team is a quick and simple process. Natural Image OC promises to provide ultimate comfort throughout every step of the liposuction process.

During a traditional liposuction procedure, Dr. Sikorski will mark and make a small and indiscrete incision in the treatment area. She then inserts a cannula (small suction needle) through the incision and carefully moves it back and forth to break up unwanted fatty tissues. Once the tissue is broken sufficiently, the cannula is used to suction the desired amount of excess fat in thin, even layers, effectively contouring and shaping the face or body. Once Dr. Sikorski has achieved your aesthetic ideal, the incision is closed with stitches and a compression garment to help tissues heal.

Liposuction is a minimally invasive body contouring surgery and has little downtime. The procedure does not have to be done at a hospital and can be done at an outpatient surgery center. All liposuction surgeries are performed at Natural Image OC’s AAAHC accredited outpatient surgery center.

The Facility

Your liposuction cosmetic surgery will be performed at Natural Image OC’s accredited on-site surgical center. Our team at Natural Image OC is dedicated to your comfort and safety throughout the duration of your liposuction. We welcome tours of the facility after booking an initial liposuction consultation with Dr. Sikorski.

Liposuction Surgery and Recovery

Liposuction surgery usually takes about 2-3 hours but can take up to 3-7 hours depending on the anesthesia used, size of the patient, and amount of areas targeted by liposuction.

Like all surgeries, it is important to listen to your doctor’s pre-op and post-op directions. You can return to work a few days after your liposuction surgery. You may experience the tumescent anesthesia drainage from the incision area in the first 24 hours to 48 hours. This numbing medicine keeps the procedure safe and provides comfort during and after.

Expect to experience bruising and numbness in the targeted areas for about 2 to 8 weeks. A compression garment may be recommended to reduce swelling and promote healing. It is advised to maintain a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and if your doctor finds you fit, enact low-intensity workouts to maintain results.

Dr. Sikorski will give you detailed instructions on how to fully recover from your liposuction in the post-operative period. She will discuss in detail:

• Adequate Recovery Bandages and Ointments
• Incision Cleaning and Bandage Changes
• Pain and Antibiotic Medication Management
• Learning How to Sleep Comfortably During Recovery
• Tips to Promote Healing and Maintain Your Look

Liposuction is suited for individuals with good skin tone and elasticity. Liposuction performed on individuals without adequate skin elasticity may result in loose-looking skin around the treated area.

Common Liposuction Techniques

Traditional Liposuction

Traditional liposuction is performed by making an incision about half an inch around the treatment area. A cannula (small suction needle) is then inserted through the incision and carefully moved back and forth to break up unwanted fatty tissues. Once the tissue is broken sufficiently, the cannula is used to suction the desired amount of excess fat in thin, even layers, effectively contouring and shaping the face or body.

Fluid-Injected “Tumescent” Liposuction

This technique uses more advanced techniques than previous liposuction procedures. Dr. Sikorski practices the ‘Tumescent Technique” – a method that has proven to be minimally invasive, nearly bloodless, and effective in removing more layers of fat safely and easily.  In the tumescent technique, excess fat areas are injected with a medical anesthesia solution before liposuction is performed. The liquid causes the compartments of fat to become swollen and firm or ‘tumescent.” The fat compartments allow the liposuction cannula to travel smoothly beneath the skin as the fat is removed. Outdated liposuction procedures that do not use “wet” fluid injections result in more swelling, bruising, and pain post-surgery.

Are There Any Risks Involved with Liposuction?

With all cosmetic surgery, there is always a possibility for complications. To ensure beautiful and long-lasting results, it is important to look for a cosmetic surgeon with a proven track record of highly accomplished work. Dr. Sikorski has extensive experience with liposuction procedures and makes a special effort to ensure the most comfortable and beneficial surgical experience possible for her patients. 

Are There Any Treatment Alternatives?

Dr. Sikoski of Natural Image OC does offer Coolsculpting as a nonsurgical alternative for fat removal. CoolSculpting can help your body eliminate stubborn fat deposits over time. However, the results are not as immediate or dramatic as liposuction, and any additional treatments you may be considering might combine with liposuction more effectively than CoolSculpting. Whether CoolSculpting would better meet your needs would be discussed during your consultation at Natural Image OC.

Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Sikorski

With over two decades of experience, liposuction surgery is one of the most rewarding procedures Dr. Sikorski performs at Natural Image OC. Our team continues to set the highest standards of excellence in patient care and offer consistently beautiful results.

Dr. Sikorski is committed to achieving the body contouring results you desire, with one liposuction surgery or combining liposuction with other procedures for an enhanced figure. You are one consultation away from achieving a slimmer, sexier figure that fits your cosmetic ideal.

To receive individualized recommendations and learn more about how you can benefit from liposuction, contact Natural Image OC to schedule a highly personalized consultation today.