In San Diego, CA, beach season lasts all year round. While you do your best to stay fit with diet and exercise, genetics and the inevitable aging process can make it difficult to melt excess body fat and keep it off. If you need a little extra help sculpting a toned, chiseled physique you’re proud to show off in a swimsuit, our highly trained cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Robert A. Shumway, can provide you with innovative liposuction techniques to get you back in shape. At Shumway Cosmetic Surgery, we offer both surgical liposuction and nonsurgical laser liposuction with the SmartLipo® Triplex® by Cynosure. Whether you’re unhappy with stubborn fat deposits on your neck or want to firm and flatten your stomach after a major weight loss or pregnancy, Dr. Shumway can provide you with his professional opinion on how to best achieve your desired results. You can request liposuction consultations for any area of the body. We commonly see patients for liposuction of the neck, upper arms, chest, back, abdomen, thighs, and calves. Surgical liposuction is not a method of weight loss and may only remove 1 – 10 pounds of fat. Dr. Shumway can provide you with liposuction (in conjunction with your healthy diet and exercise routine) as an effective way treat areas that are difficult to work out on your own. We can discuss the benefits of your procedure in a private consultation in our office. Dr. Shumway is a leader in the field of cosmetic surgery in San Diego, CA. He has studied at some of the nation’s most prestigious medical centers and has taught at Duke University, UCLA, and UCSD. As a trustee of the California Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Shumway stresses the importance of close post-operative care, carefully instructing his patients on how to expedite their own healing and recovery.

Liposuction is one of the most popular body sculpting procedures for a reason – it’s incredibly effective at removing unwanted fat from trouble areas, like the hips, upper arms, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. Not only does liposuction trim and smooth your figure for a boost in self-confidence, but it also improves your overall health due to a lower body fat percentage. Fat removal surgery is a good treatment for men and women who are at an ideal weight but have pesky areas of fat that have been hard to lose with exercise and diet. Individuals contemplating liposuction should have skin that is still elastic because liposuction is not a treatment for loose or sagging skin. It’s also important to realize that liposuction is not an answer to weight loss. Women undergoing liposuction should be past childbearing as a pregnancy may compromise the results. At the time of your consult for surgery, Dr. Shumway will set realistic expectations.

Surgical liposuction is completed in an outpatient setting with the patient under general, local, or intravenous anesthesia. A punch-hole incision is placed through the skin so a cannula can be inserted. In general, liposuction in San Diego has become minimally invasive with the implementation of the smaller cannulas and incisions so you should have only a few days of recovery time. Once the cannula is inserted into the treatment area, Dr. Shumway can influence and maneuver the fat with the cannula to be suctioned out and eliminated. Dr. Shumway will seal the small incision. Based on the number of sections receiving treatment, your procedure may take more than one hour. In the separate area for recovery, your post-operation team will assist you with managing any pain and look after your treated areas until you are ready to be discharged.

You may need to recover at home from liposuction for several weeks based on the number of areas treated and the amount of fat removed. It’s typical to have bruising and swelling for one or two weeks, and you should have stitches taken out 7 – 10 days after surgery. The most important thing to do following liposuction surgery is to give your body time to recover and heal. When you are ready to go back to your job after your surgery, you need to remember to go slow. To increase your strength and stamina, try short walks and light workouts as advised by Dr. Shumway. Remember, you may notice some improvements soon after your surgery, but it will take around 6 – 10 months until your new body contour and shape is complete. In its purest form, liposuction is only about removing fatty deposits. It does not have any specific benefits for your skin or surrounding tissue. Dr. Shumway may give you options for dealing with loose skin if your skin has lost its elasticity. For instance, a tummy tuck is often done at the same time to reduce the appearance of sagging skin in the belly area.

How much does liposuction cost? The liposuction varies, depending on the technique selected and how many areas are being treated. In your consultation, Dr. Shumway will create your custom treatment plan to meet your needs and goals. He will also consider your budget. When your plan is ready, estimated costs will be discussed. To make your surgery easier to afford, Shumway Cosmetic Surgery takes several payment methods and we will help you find low-interest financing.

What about cellulite and loose skin? Liposuction surgery only corrects excess fat. For loose skin, Dr. Shumway may recommend combining liposuction with a lift surgery. Lipo is often done along with skin tightening surgery, like a tummy tuck, thighplasty, or arm lift, to give you your best results. To correct cellulite, there are many minimally invasive and nonsurgical treatments, like Cellulaze. During your consultation, talk to Dr. Shumway about your concerns, like cellulite and loose skin, so your best treatment plan is created.

Will I have scars? Since liposuction is an invasive surgery, incisions will be made and sutured. This will create scars; however, Dr. Shumway does his best to reduce their appearance. This starts with making small incisions in less visible areas or the natural folds of your body. After your surgery, Dr. Shumway or a member of his team will explain how to care for your incisions so they heal properly and fade.

Will my results last? Before liposuction, it is important to be prepared to maintain your results. Although liposuction reduces the number of fat cells in an area, you can still lose and gain weight. Dr. Shumway suggests that you be at or close to a healthy weight prior to liposuction. Afterward, it’s best to remain within 5 – 10 pounds of your post-surgical weight. Getting pregnant after liposuction will also impact your results; however, another surgery, like a mommy makeover, may be done to refresh your body.

Liposuction has proven successful for patients around the world. You can take advantage of liposuction if you are looking for a way to treat small fat deposits on your body. Speak with Dr. Shumway at Shumway Cosmetic Surgery today. Learn more about whether or not you’re a good candidate for liposuction and what other options may be right for you to achieve your body goals in our office in San Diego, CA.