Liposuction
Conveniently located in Southwestern PA, south of Pittsburgh, and easily accessible from central PA, West Virginia, and eastern Ohio
Introduction to Lipsocution
Liposuction, which is also commonly referred to as lipo, works for many people when diet and exercise alone are not enough to rid their bodies of resistant pockets of fat. Liposuction is ideal for reducing areas that are difficult to target with exercise, such as the love handles, posterior arms, upper inner thighs (the chub rub!!) and under the chin.
Liposuction is a popular procedure offered at our plastic surgery office in the Pittsburgh area, and can help eliminate these fatty deposits, help contour select areas on the body, restore proportion, and improve the contours of the body.
About Liposuction
What Are the Benefits of Liposuction?
Lipo is not a method of weight loss, but more a way to improve the silhouette and the way clothes fit. Most commonly, the areas treated include the abdomen, thighs, upper arms, flanks, hips, back, buttocks, knees, and under the chin.
Liposuction will not tighten loose skin. It is more of a debulking tool and will thin fatty areas, but will not address skin redundancy. This notion is most important in the abdominal area. Many clients present asking for liposuction of the abdomen, assuming skin will be tightened. These individuals should consider an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, instead.
The Procedure
The surgery usually takes up to two to three hours (depending on the areas to be suctioned) and involves general anesthesia. On the day of surgery, Dr. Pautler will meet you at the Dunlap Outpatient Surgery Center, a beautiful state-of-the-art facility near St. Clair Memorial Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Before performing the surgery, she will outline the areas to be treated while you are standing. You will also be prepped with the antiseptic solution in a standing position to maintain as much sterility as possible.
The suctioning of the fat is done with long, blunt-tipped instruments, but first a tumescent solution of salt water, adrenaline, and anesthetic is injected into the fat. After a few minutes, Dr. Pautler will aspirate the fat with some of the injected fluid. The adrenaline minimizes the bleeding and the anesthetic decreases the discomfort associated with the procedure.
The incisions involved are small, typically less than 1 centimeter. These are then closed with one or two sutures, which are removed about two weeks later.
Recovery and Results
After the surgery, you will need to wear a compression garment for 4-6 weeks. The steady compression not only reduces swelling but also helps the skin contract down onto the contoured area. Pain and discomfort will be controlled with oral pain medication.
Typically, you can return to work one to two weeks after your procedure. However, you should refrain from doing any strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or intense exercise until Dr. Pautler gives you the okay to do so.
You may still experience swelling a month or more after your procedure; this is normal and the swelling will start to dissipate after about the six week mark. Generally, you will be able to see final results about two months after your surgery.
After the surgery, you will need to wear a compression garment for 4-6 weeks. The steady compression not only reduces swelling but also helps the skin contract down onto the contoured area. Pain and discomfort will be controlled with oral pain medication.
Combining Lipo with Other Procedures
Dr. Pautler uses liposuction alone or as an adjunct procedure to other treatments, such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast augmentation, breast reduction and even facial plastic surgery. Contact our Pittsburgh area plastic surgery office for more information.
Cost of Liposuction
The cost of this procedure depends on a few factors, like the technique used during surgery, the length of the surgery, the amount of fat removed, and more. If you have any questions about pricing, do not hesitate to ask Dr. Pautler during your consultation.
Contact Us to Schedule Your Consultation
Patients who want to learn more about what liposuction in Pittsburgh involves can schedule a consultation with Dr. Simona Pautler.
» Read more about liposuction surgery
Why Choose Dr. Pautler for Liposuction?
Among the plastic surgeons in Pittsburgh, Dr. Pautler stands out with her expert training at two of the country’s most prestigious surgery programs, Yale New Haven Hospital and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. In addition, her award as a NewBeauty magazine Top Doctor in 2023 highlights her commitment to upholding the highest standards in her field. With over 24 years of experience, Dr. Pautler stays on top of the latest surgical techniques to give her patients optimal outcomes. Her surgical skills are constantly refined at the Dunlap Outpatient Surgery Center of St Clair Memorial Hospital in Pittsburgh where she is known for her wonderful bedside manner, beautiful results and warm approach.
Before and After Photos
See the results for yourself
Liposuction FAQs
Recovery from liposuction in Pittsburgh can vary from patient to patient depending on how much fat is removed and the location from which it is removed. On average, most patients have made a full recovery by six weeks. However, the full results may take two to three months to be visible as swelling from the procedure slowly dissipates.
Liposuction surgery, like any procedure, is associated with risks that must be considered before proceeding with the procedure. Common risks include:
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Anesthetic complications
- Fluid collections under the skin (seromas, hematomas)
- Asymmetries in appearance
- Over or under-removal of fat from the site
Rare, serious complications including organ puncture, fat embolism, blood clots, and chronic swelling can occur.
Liposuction is designed to remove fat from the body to shape and contour areas. When suction alone is used, liposuction will not tighten loose skin and may even worsen it. Some techniques use heat-generating modalities to stimulate skin tightening. However, the results are inconsistent and can make future skin tightening procedures harder due to scarring.
Skin elasticity plays a big role in reducing the risk of loose skin after liposuction. Younger patients and those who have not given birth can achieve taut skin after liposuction. However, for some, an additional skin tightening procedure may be necessary to get the overall desired appearance.
No. Liposuction surgery is not recommended for the treatment of cellulite and can make it more noticeable. Cellulite is a harmless skin condition causing dimpling and lumpy skin around the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.
Liposuction will remove the fat underlying the skin but does not address the fibrous bands that cause cellulite. After liposuction surgery, the results may make the dimpling of cellulite more obvious and is not considered an effective procedure for cellulite.
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