Liposuction Liposuction is one of my most frequently performed procedures. It is an effective treatment for localized deposits of fat. The best candidates for liposuction are healthy individuals who are at a relatively normal and stable weight and who have good skin elasticity. The most common areas for liposuction in women are the lateral thighs and abdomen and for men, the flank region. Fat in these areas is often determined by gender and heredity and can be very resistant to diet and exercise. Other areas that can be treated include the hips, the ankles and calf region, the upper arms, the upper back and mid back. Liposuction can also be used in the lower face and neck to improve the contour of those areas. The results of liposuction are long lasting if the patient is able to maintain a stable weight. Weight fluctuations can result in fat accumulation in the treated area or in untreated areas and is not predictable. Patients with major fluctuations in their weight are not good candidates for this procedure. Liposuction can often be performed in my AAAASF certified office operating room under a local anesthesia with sedation if only one or two areas are being treated. For more extensive procedures, I take my patients to Seattle Surgery Center which is located next door to my building. I use a tumescence technique where I inject a dilute solution of local anesthetic and epinephrine into the fatty area to be treated. This technique reduces bruising and swelling and speeds recovery. Most patients take about a week off following the surgery. During this time, you are up and about but avoiding any vigorous activity and heavy lifting. Patients wear a postoperative compression garment day and night for about three weeks following the surgery. The garment can be removed for short periods of time for showering. Light exercise such as walking can be resumed in one week. After three weeks, most patients can resume their normal exercise routine. At the initial consultation, I interview and examine the patient and determine if they are a good candidate and whether or not their expectations are likely to be met. I show before and after photos to demonstrate what liposuction can achieve and can provide references.