Liposuction

Liposuction and a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) are often combined but serve distinct purposes. Liposuction is used to remove excess fat from areas like the abdomen, thighs, or back. In contrast, a BBL uses the fat removed via liposuction to enhance and reshape the buttocks, giving them a fuller, more lifted appearance.

Patients who desire both body contouring and a more youthful, rounder bottom may benefit from combining liposuction with a BBL.

While both liposuction and tummy tucks aim to enhance body contours, they target different concerns. Liposuction focuses on removing excess fat, often from areas like the abdomen, thighs, or arms. A tummy tuck, however, involves the removal of excess skin and the tightening the abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck may provide a more comprehensive result for patients with sagging skin or separated muscles (often after pregnancy or significant weight loss). Sometimes, both procedures are combined to achieve optimal body shaping.

Awake liposuction (also known as tumescent liposuction) is performed under local anesthesia, meaning the patient is awake, but the treatment area is numbed. This method allows for a quicker recovery and can be ideal for patients opting for smaller areas of fat removal.

On the other hand, asleep liposuction is done under general anesthesia, ensuring that the patient is completely unconscious during the procedure. This approach is typically chosen for more extensive liposuction procedures or patients who prefer to sleep through the surgery.

Lipo 360 is an extensive liposuction procedure that targets the full circumference of the torso, including the front, back, and sides. This procedure is ideal for patients wanting a balanced and sculpted look, especially for the abdomen, flanks, and love handles. In contrast, 12 Areas Liposuction addresses multiple areas of the body, including the torso, arms, legs, chin, and more. It’s a great option for patients looking for a more dramatic and comprehensive transformation across their entire body.

Our patients in Miami, FL, report only mild discomfort after their liposuction procedure (describing it as soreness similar to a good workout) and easily manage this pain with prescribed medications.

Most Miami, FL, patients require only one surgical appointment and a few follow-up visits to monitor healing and ensure proper results.

Swelling is normal after your liposuction procedure in Miami, FL. As this swelling begins to subside, initial results can be seen within a few weeks. Final results typically appear after 3-6 months.

Dr. Valina is incredibly skilled in liposuction techniques and makes small, strategically placed incisions to be discreet. Scars fade significantly over time; many Miami, FL, patients have no visible scarring.

We recommend that patients adopt a healthy lifestyle following their liposuction surgery in Miami, FL. Light activity can resume in a few days, and more strenuous exercise is allowed after three months or when cleared by Dr. Valina.

Yes! Liposuction is easily combined with other procedures, and our Miami, FL patients especially like pairing it with tummy tucks or fat transfer for more dramatic and comprehensive results.

As with any major surgery, there are some risks. Liposuction in Miami, FL, can include infection, bleeding, or contour irregularities. Dr. Valina prioritizes her patients’ safety and minimizes these risks with her extensive training and advanced techniques.

Choosing a highly qualified cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Valina (who is triple board-certified and known for exceptional results ensures your safety and satisfaction during liposuction surgery in Miami, FL.

Liposuction is primarily designed to remove excess fat and contour the body. While it may improve the overall smoothness of the skin in certain areas, it does not specifically target cellulite. Cellulite is caused by the way fat is distributed under the skin, and liposuction does not address the fibrous bands that lead to cellulite dimpling. For patients looking to reduce the appearance of cellulite, additional treatments like Cellulaze or laser therapy may be considered.

Liposuction is not designed to remove loose skin. While it removes excess fat, it doesn’t address sagging or redundant skin. In cases where there is significant skin laxity (such as after massive weight loss), a tummy tuck or body lift may be necessary to remove excess skin and restore a smoother, tighter appearance. Dr. Valina will evaluate the amount of loose skin and discuss the most appropriate procedure for your goals.

Yes! Many of our patients use liposuction to effectively address back rolls, also known as “bra bulge” or “love handles.” Liposuction can smooth out the back and create a more contoured silhouette by targeting stubborn fat pockets in the upper and lower back areas. However, having realistic expectations and understanding that liposuction focuses on fat removal rather than skin tightening is important

The most important thing to keep in mind with this procedure is that liposuction is NOT a weight-loss solution and, therefore, is not intended for treating obesity. It is a body-contouring procedure that removes localized fat deposits. For patients who have significant weight loss goals, it is important to approach liposuction after reaching a stable weight. Liposuction can be part of a comprehensive weight management plan but should not be used as a substitute for healthy eating and exercise.

While liposuction can remove a significant amount of fat from targeted areas, it is not designed to be a weight-loss solution, as mentioned above. Liposuction is best for patients who are near their goal weight but have stubborn pockets of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle post-surgery is essential to maintaining the results.

Liposuction can be performed on almost any area of the body where excess fat is present, including the abdomen, thighs, arms, back, flanks (love handles), chin, neck, knees, buttocks, and even the calves or ankles. Based on your aesthetic goals, Dr. Valina will work with you to identify which areas will benefit most from the procedure.

After liposuction, the fat cells in the treated areas are permanently removed. However, if a patient gains weight after the procedure, the remaining fat cells in untreated areas may expand. To maintain the results of liposuction, it is important to follow a healthy diet and exercise routine. Weight gain does not typically affect the areas treated by liposuction in the same way as untreated areas.

Yes, liposuction permanently removes fat from the treated areas. However, weight gain or lifestyle changes can affect the remaining fat cells in other areas of the body. It is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure that your results remain long-lasting.

Massage therapy after liposuction, also known as lymphatic drainage massage, is often recommended to help reduce swelling, promote the drainage of excess fluids, and enhance the healing process. Massages can also help improve skin elasticity and prevent fibrosis (hardening of the tissue). It is an important step in the recovery process to achieve smooth, natural-looking results.

J-Plasma is a skin-tightening procedure that uses helium plasma energy to tighten skin. Depending on your specific needs, it can be performed before or after liposuction. Some patients opt for J-Plasma after liposuction to address any remaining skin laxity, especially in areas with significant loose skin. Discuss with Dr. Valina to determine the best approach for achieving your desired result.

Compression garments are crucial for reducing swelling and helping the body conform to its new shape after liposuction. They also minimize bruising and promote healing by improving blood circulation. Wearing these garments as directed by Dr. Valina helps ensure the best possible outcome and supports the skin in adjusting to its new contour.

Iron supplements may be recommended before liposuction to help prepare your body for surgery and promote optimal healing. Starting iron supplements a few weeks before surgery, under your physician’s guidance, can help ensure you have adequate iron levels to reduce the risk of anemia during recovery.

Nicotine can interfere with healing by constricting blood vessels and reducing oxygen flow to tissues. This can result in poor wound healing and increased risks of complications, such as infections or skin necrosis. Dr. Valina strongly advises against smoking or using nicotine products for several weeks before and after surgery to ensure the best possible results.

Some liposuction patients may experience fluid drainage after surgery. Depending on the areas of liposuction, the drainage can be minimal to several liters of fluid from the tumescent medication used for the liposuction procedure. Drains are sometimes placed to help remove excess fluid and prevent seroma (fluid buildup) in the treated areas. The amount of drainage varies from patient to patient and is usually temporary. Once the drainage has decreased significantly, drains are typically removed within a few days to a week following surgery.