Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures, providing dramatic contour improvements through tiny incisions with rapid recovery times.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures. It provides dramatic contour improvements using tiny incisions and offers rapid recovery times.

As with all plastic surgery procedures, liposuction must be uniquely customized to your needs and goals. This can be determined during your consultation.

THe Liposuction Procedure

Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati use a state-of-the-art power-assisted liposuction (PAL) system and the SAFE lipo technique. The PAL technique has been a staple in our practice since the late 1990s and has been continuously upgraded as new technology becomes available.

Unlike laser and ultrasound techniques, PAL does not add heat or energy, which can injure surrounding tissues. PAL allows more efficient fat removal with each pass of the cannula, reducing swelling and bruising. It also enables improved treatment of more fibrous body areas.

SAFE Lipo (Three-Step Process)

S — Separation:
Fat is separated using a special cannula on the PAL system to prepare the area for removal.

A — Aspiration:
Traditional liposuction is performed using PAL equipment to remove the separated fat.

FE — Fat Equalization:
The same cannula is passed back through the area to smooth, refine, and equalize the remaining fat for a natural contour.

Liposuction incisions are typically ¼ inch or smaller. They are often placed in natural skin creases to reduce visibility, though this may not always be possible. Most treatment areas require one or two small incisions.

How Is Liposuction Performed?

Most liposuction procedures are performed under general anesthesia at the Surgery Center, our accredited outpatient facility. This ensures patient safety, comfort, and optimal surgical results.

Small areas may occasionally be treated in the office using only local anesthesia.

Recovery

Most patients experience minimal soreness. You can usually return to normal daily activities within 3–4 days.

A compression garment is applied immediately after surgery and should be worn for one to two weeks. Some anesthetic fluid may drain from the incision sites for 48–72 hours.

Early contour improvements can be seen within a few days as swelling decreases. Final results develop over several weeks as the skin retracts to the new contour.

Schedule Your Appointment

Liposuction fees are based on the number of “areas” treated. For example, both hips are considered one area in our practice, unlike some surgeons who charge per side.

We typically treat all desired areas in a single session. While the initial cost may be higher, this approach is often more efficient and cost-effective than scheduling multiple smaller procedures.

Before & After Gallery

Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati are Plastic Surgeons devoted to advanced techniques in Cosmetic Surgery of the Face, Breast, and Body.

liposuction before and after photo

Liposuction Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight will I lose if I have liposuction?

Liposuction changes your shape, not your weight.

How big are the liposuction incisions?

The incisions are 1/4 inch or less. Usually, one or two incisions are required per area of liposuction.

How long will my bruises last after liposuction?

Most bruising usually resolves within 2 weeks after surgery, but this can vary from patient to patient and area to area.

What happens if I gain weight after liposuction?

It is best to perform liposuction when you are at a stable weight you can maintain. If your weight remains stable after surgery, your result should last a long time. If you gain weight after surgery, you will gain it in your whole body, but it should not go disproportionately to the areas treated with liposuction.

Does liposuction help cellulite?

Liposuction is not a treatment for cellulite. Most of the time, the dimples in the skin, known as cellulite, are not changed by liposuction. Cellulite treatment with Avéli is available. More information can be found here.

Will liposuction help stretch marks?

Liposuction is not a treatment for stretch marks, they usually remain unchanged.

Will liposuction make loose skin worse?

The quality of the result from liposuction depends greatly on the quality of the skin in the treated area. Healthy, elastic skin usually responds very well to liposuction and contracts nicely over the new fat contour. Skin which is loose before surgery will usually still be loose after surgery, but sometimes may improve with liposuction. In short, more youthful, stretchy skin responds the best to liposuction.

How long do the results of liposuction last?

If you maintain your weight, the result of liposuction should change very little over time. Although, natural changes with aging to the skin and fat will still occur.

Will I change clothes size after liposuction?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no - it depends on the area being treated, how much fat is removed, and how well the skin retracts. Liposuction makes contour changes to the treated area(s), but it is not a weight loss method.

What type of liposuction does the practice use?

Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati prefer the Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL) system. The PAL vibrates the liposuction cannula back and forth very quickly, allowing multiple smaller strokes with each full stroke of the cannula. Our practice has used PAL technology since the late 1990s with great success. Compared to standard liposuction, PAL minimizes trauma to the tissue, resulting in less bruising and swelling.

In contrast, ultrasonic and laser liposuction add heat energy to the process. This added heat is not necessary for fat removal and can lead to abnormal scarring and a greater risk of skin irregularities. Therefore, we believe PAL is the superior method for achieving optimal results with minimal complications.

Why not use an external laser or cold therapy to dissolve fat instead of liposuction?

Technologies involving ultrasound, laser, and cold therapy are available to dissolve fat. While each of these methods works differently, they generally result in only a small amount of fat removal and are limited to treating small areas. These methods also require significant treatment times and usually multiple sessions to achieve noticeable results.

Additionally, cold therapy for fat dissolution has been associated with a serious complication known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, where the treated fat enlarges rather than decreases in size. Given these limitations and potential risks, liposuction remains the most effective and reliable method for significant fat removal and body contouring.

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Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati photo

Meet Dr. David Kirn

Dr. David Kirn is an American Board of Plastic Surgery Certified Plastic Surgeon who is devoted to advanced techniques in Cosmetic Surgery of the Face, Breast, and Body. In private practice since 1998, he is located in a state-of-the-art facility which includes a full service skin care center. The practice is focused on personalized patient care and attention to detail. Where possible, Dr. Kirn utilizes minimally invasive procedures.  See Our VIP Surgery Center.

Meet Dr. Ahmed Al Bayati

Having completed his training in plastic surgery and serving as Chief Resident at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Al Bayati brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to his practice. His commitment to advancing patient care and achieving exceptional outcomes reflects his unwavering passion for plastic surgery.

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