Liposuction is the second most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the U.S. Doctors at Intermountain Southern Utah Plastic Surgery use liposuction to remove fat from stubborn areas of the body that haven’t responded to diet and exercise.

WHAT IS LIPOSUCTION? Liposuction, sometimes called lipoplasty, body contouring or lipo, slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits and improving the body contours and proportion. Healthy patients with a stable body weight are the best candidates for liposuction. This is because liposuction is not considered a weight loss alternative. Areas of the body that respond successfully to liposuction include:

  • Abdomen
  • Upper arms
  • Buttocks
  • Calves and ankles
  • Chest and back 
  • Hips and thighs
  • Chin and neck

HOW IS LIPOSUCTION DONE? During liposuction, a small, thin tube is inserted through incisions in the skin to suction out fat deposits. There are a variety of liposuction techniques, like suction-assisted liposuction (SAL), ultrasound-assisted liposuction and laser technology liposuction. A doctor will tailor treat a liposuction to the patient’s needs.

WHAT LIPOSUCTION CAN’T DO? Liposuction can’t treat certain areas of the body:

  • Thighs 
  • Hips and buttocks
  • Abdomen and waist 
  • Upper arms
  • Back 
  • Inner knee 
  • Chest area 
  • Cheeks, chin and neck 
  • Calves and ankles

Liposuction is a treatment for patient’s battling stubborn areas of fat; it is not a solution for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. Liposuction is also not effective in treating cellulite because it can make the dimpling skin worse. Because liposuction removes fatty tissue but not the skin, it is also not an option to treat loose, saggy skin or stretch marks.