What Does Liposuction Do?

Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise. It’s designed to contour specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, and back to create a more balanced and proportionate appearance.

How Does Liposuction Work?

Liposuction uses suction technology to remove fat from targeted areas. A thin tube called a cannula loosens the fat (with or without the help of a secondary energy source such as vibration or ultrasonic waves) and then vacuums it out of the body. Depending on the specific technique being employed, you may get an injection of a tumescent solution, which firms the fat for easier removal and acts as a local anesthetic.

How Is Liposuction Done?

Liposuction is typically performed under general or local anesthesia, depending on the areas being treated and the amount of fat removed. The procedure usually takes 1 to 3 hours, and patients can return home the same day. Recovery involves wearing a compression garment to minimize swelling and promote healing.

How Long Does Liposuction Last?

The results of liposuction are long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight. While the fat cells removed during the procedure do not grow back, the remaining fat cells can expand if you gain weight. Staying active and eating a balanced diet are key to preserving your results.

How Much Fat Can Be Removed With Liposuction?

The amount of fat removed depends on your individual needs and health considerations. Your plastic surgeon will discuss realistic goals during your consultation and whether a staged, multi-session approach may be needed to reach your cosmetic goals.

How Much Weight Can You Lose With Liposuction?

Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure—it’s a contouring treatment. While you may notice a slight drop on the scale (and you may even drop a size or two), the focus is on reshaping the body, not shedding pounds. For significant weight loss, other methods may be more appropriate.

What Is the Difference Between a Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

A tummy tuck addresses loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles, often after pregnancy or significant weight loss, while liposuction removes fat. In many cases, the two procedures are combined to achieve optimal results.

Ready To Sculpt Your Dream Body?

If you are interested in learning more about how liposuction can give you shapely contours and a slimmer figure, please request a consultation online or call The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery at (770) 667-0904 today.

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Research Your Surgeon’s Credentials

The first thing you should look for is your surgeon’s credentials. Their expertise and experience—and vetting by an independent medical board—are critical to ensuring your safety and well-being.

At a minimum, look for certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is the only cosmetic surgery certifying body recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. ABPS board certification signifies that the surgeon has undergone rigorous training, passed stringent oral and written exams, and meets high standards of technical skill and patient care.

Memberships in professional societies such as The Aesthetic Society or the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) are also strong indicators of a surgeon’s commitment to staying abreast of the latest medical news and research. The letters FACS after a surgeon’s name is another marker of clinical excellence as they have passed the requirements to become a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

How To Check If a Plastic Surgeon Is Board-Certified

Now that you understand the importance of board certification, how do you verify a surgeon’s credentials? While reputable plastic surgeons will display their board certification and credentials on their website, it can be helpful to cross-reference this information through the relevant certifying bodies’ websites (such as the ABPS’ online verification tool) to confirm that the surgeon is still actively certified and in good standing with the board.

Read Up About the Surgeon’s Experience and Expertise

Beyond certification, consider the surgeon’s experience performing the specific procedure you’re interested in. Ask how often they perform the procedure and if they have completed any specialized training or fellowships. A surgeon with extensive experience in your desired procedure is more likely to deliver optimal results.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons are immensely skilled and talented in various plastic surgery procedures. However, they are especially well known for specific procedures. Dr. Bauer has performed 50,000+ breast surgeries, Dr. Catignani is an award-winning mommy makeover specialist, and Dr. Fardo has specialty training in oculoplastic surgery, which gives him additional expertise in eyelid surgery and brow lifts.

Gain Insights From Real Patients

Learn more about the practice and surgeon from the people who were once in your shoes. Online reviews can be a great way to gather information about the patient experience, how satisfied they were with their results, and what concerns they may have had.

On a similar note, viewing the surgeon’s real patient before-and-after gallery is a great way of seeing the results a surgeon consistently produces and whether their aesthetic sensibilities align with your goals.

Schedule a Consultation

While many surgeons may look great on paper, it’s all about the in-person connection. Once you have an opportunity to speak with them, do you feel like they truly listen and understand your goals? Are you comfortable with them operating on you, and do you feel like you have the information you need to make the best decisions about your treatment and care?

Once you consider all of the above factors, you should be led to a plastic surgeon who is not only “good” but also the right one for you. If you would like to learn more about the procedures we offer, please request a consultation online or call us at (770) 667-0904 to get started today.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons also perform nonsurgical procedures! Learn more about why their medical expertise matters in our related blog post.

There’s no denying that a curvier, fuller backside is in vogue, and Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedures have helped thousands of patients enhance their derriere. But did you know there’s more than one way to achieve a better backside? 

Here, the expert team of plastic surgeons at the Swan Center for Plastic Surgery in Atlanta break down the differences between a surgical BBL and an injectable BBL and share their professional insight into the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision about which option is right for you.

What is a surgical BBL?

A surgical BBL is a two-part procedure that involves fat transfer. Your surgeon uses liposuction to harvest excess fat from other areas of your body, typically the waist, abdomen, or thighs. This fat is then carefully purified and strategically injected into your buttocks to enhance the size and shape. 

Pros of surgical BBLs:

• Customizable body contouring. A 2-for-1 option is hard to pass up, especially when you consider the complementary benefits. Liposuction not only provides the fat you need to boost your buttocks, it also offers an opportunity for overall body reshaping by slimming other areas that are generally diet and exercise-resistant.
• Noticeable enhancement. A surgical BBL can be tailored to achieve modest enhancements or provide some serious va-va-voom! Your surgeon will discuss your goals and assess your available fat stores to determine how much enhancement is possible.
• Long-lasting results. The effects of a surgical BBL are generally permanent because a good portion of the fat transferred to your buttocks becomes a part of your body’s natural tissue. Most patients enjoy their new, shapely seat for many years!

Cons of surgical BBLs:

• Requires surgery. Since it’s a surgical procedure, there are potential risks associated with anesthesia and surgery, plus possible complications related to fat transfer. (Choosing a plastic surgeon who specializes in surgical BBLs greatly reduces the chance that you’ll experience adverse effects and betters your chances of achieving beautiful BBL results.) 
• Considerable recovery process: Post-operative recovery can be a bit daunting and may require a significant time investment for healing. This isn’t because a surgical BBL is particularly invasive, but rather to ensure optimal results; you’ll have restrictions on sitting and lying down for about 6 weeks to prevent the pressure of your body weight from negatively affecting the shape of your newly enhanced buttocks.
• Initially tentative results: There’s no way to know for sure how much injected fat will stay where your surgeon places it; about 20-40% is reabsorbed by your body. Your surgeon will likely harvest and inject more fat than necessary to achieve your results to account for this factor. Diminishing fat stores may cause asymmetry or dents; some patients will want a secondary “touch up” BBL procedure to add more volume and smooth imperfections.

When performed by a BBL specialist, both a surgical and non-surgical BBL can safely achieve an alluring silhouette.   

What is an injectable BBL?

The injectable BBL is a non-surgical alternative to the traditional BBL that uses injectable fillers to enhance the shape and volume of the buttocks. Two popular products used in this procedure are Radiesse® and Sculptra®, which stimulate natural collagen production in your skin to gradually improve the size and shape of your buttocks over time. 

Pros of injectable BBLs:

• No surgery or downtime required. An injectable BBL avoids the scars and potential risks associated with surgery. You can typically resume your normal activities immediately after the procedure; most appointments take under an hour! 
• Conservative results. The increased collagen stores will add subtle volume over several weeks, mimicking the booty-boosting effects that you might experience with exercise. This means it will not be evident you’ve just had a procedure to help sculpt a rounder, fuller buttocks. 
• No minimum body fat requirement. There’s a chance that if you lack volume in your buttocks, you may not have much to spare elsewhere on your body. The good news is an injectable BBL can help naturally thin patients add natural-looking curvature to their bottom half!

Cons of injectable BBLs:

• Temporary results. The results of an injectable BBL typically last between one to two years. Your individual results will depend on the product used and your body’s response.
• Multiple treatments. Most patients need 2 or more treatments to achieve optimal results, and you’ll need to schedule regular touch-up injections to maintain them. 

So, which one is right for you?

The first step in deciding which gluteal enhancement option is right for you is to have an in-depth consultation with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who is highly experienced in both procedures. They will consider your personal goals, anatomy, and lifestyle to guide you in the decision-making process and develop a personalized treatment plan to achieve the level of enhancement you’re looking for.

Schedule your BBL consultation at the Swan Center for Plastic Surgery in Atlanta

Whether you’re leaning towards a surgical BBL or considering an injectable BBL, our practice offers both options, and our board-certified plastic surgeons and fabulous patient support team will work to ensure your personalized procedure is performed correctly and safely. To learn more about your body contouring options and which procedure you are a good candidate for, schedule your consultation by calling 770-667-0904 or fill out our online form to receive a call back from our team—we’ve got your back! 

Celebrate Your Body, Before or After Surgery

No matter where you are in your transformative journey, it’s important to be kind to yourself every time you look in the mirror. Notice the parts of your body that make you feel great about yourself, and treat the parts of your body that you may want to improve with gentle respect.

You Look Great. Spread the Word!

If you’ve already had surgery, your family and friends may have noticed that you look slimmer or more rested. If you feel comfortable letting your loved ones know about your plastic surgery experience, share your journey so your nearest and dearest can celebrate with you. You may find out quite a few friends have had a nip and tuck too!

Keep the Media in its Place

If you’ve picked up a fashion magazine lately, you may have noticed that the media can be quick to speculate about celebrities who may have chosen to have plastic surgery. (Remember the hubbub surrounding Nicki Minaj’s derriére? Or Nicole Kidman’s flawless face?)

These kinds of rumors and media shaming can make some women feel uneasy about themselves or their beauty decisions. But don’t let sensationalist headlines and unrealistic portrayals of beauty give you pause. Take media reports with a grain of salt by remembering that every aspect of a celeb’s life is talked about, from what they eat for breakfast, to their kids’ fashions, to their possible cosmetic procedures.

Also know that good cosmetic work is often unnoticed—many celebrities have had touch ups and procedures without anyone noticing a thing except their looking better than ever. The good news is that you too can get beautiful results with a board certified plastic surgeon, and you won’t be the object of tabloid speculation.

Plastic Surgery May Boost Your Self-Esteem

Did you know that plastic surgery may improve overall self-esteem? A recent study published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science surveyed 550 first-time plastic surgery patients, as well as individuals who had always wanted plastic surgery and those who had not considered it.

Researchers found that the first-time plastic surgery patients reported an increase in self-esteem, experienced less anxiety, and were happier with their bodies post-surgery. Interestingly, patients were not only happier with the part of their body that underwent surgery, but reported feeling that their entire body was more attractive as a whole.

Do Your Own Research

As you explore the possibilities of plastic surgery, it’s important to gather as much information as possible. View before and after photos, read reviews, and spend some time researching specific procedures that you may be considering. Avoid any potential surprises by learning everything you can to help you make an informed decision.

Choose a Doctor Who Makes You Feel Your Best

If you decide that plastic surgery may be right for you, it’s essential to find a board certified plastic surgeon who has the training and experience to deliver safe and effective results. Whether you are considering a breast augmentation, liposuction, a facelift, or any other procedure, make sure you find a surgeon you that makes you feel confident and informed.

The Swan Center’s experienced, board certified plastic surgeons have helped thousands of patients from Atlanta and beyond achieve their goals. Contact our office for a personalized consultation to find out if you’re a good candidate for the procedure you’re interested in. We can help you feel great about your body every step of the way!