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Liposuction

Liposuction in Albany, NY at The Plastic Surgery Group can help men and women get rid of fatty deposits around their waists, legs, arms, buttocks, and other parts of their bodies and achieve tighter, smoother, more defined contours.

Cosmetic surgery should be a rewarding experience that leaves you looking great and feeling more confident. Request a free consultationRequest a free consultation with one of the surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Group or call (518) 438-0505.

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Meet the expertly trained Albany plastic
surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Group,
serving the Schenectady, Saratoga Springs,
Utica, and Albany area of New York.

Meet Our Surgeons

Meet the expertly trained Albany plastic surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Group, serving the Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Utica, and Albany area of New York.

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The Procedure

The length of time your liposuction procedure will take can vary depending on the extent of your procedure and whether you are having other body contouring procedures performed at the same time. Women and men who visit us for liposuction from areas like Syracuse, Troy, Clifton Park, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs, NY, often combine it with procedures like a tummy tuck, arm lift, or thigh lift for a greater improvement. Generally, liposuction will take a couple of hours on an outpatient basis, but in some cases you may have to be in the hospital for a couple of days.

Liposuction is performed through small incisions using a narrow tube, called a cannula, and a suctioning machine. Your plastic surgeon will move the cannula under the skin to remove the excess fatty tissue. You may feel some moving sensations or some minor irritation during the procedure if you have a local anesthesia. You will also be given plenty of fluids during the procedure to replace those that are lost.

Recovering

Immediately after your liposuction surgery, you won't likely notice a big change in the way you look. In fact, you'll probably think you look worse than before your surgery. You will be bloated because of the liquids you received during the procedure, and a small tube for draining this will be placed in the area of the liposuction. You will see swelling and some bruising. You may have some discomfort around the area of the incisions, which can be relieved by prescription medication from your plastic surgeon. You may also feel some numbness or loss of feeling around the area of the liposuction, but this will only be temporary.

For the first few weeks following your liposuction procedure, you will wear a compression garment that will help treated areas conform to their new shape. After a few weeks, you'll be able to remove the garment at night and will just need to keep it on during the day. If there were stitches placed during your liposuction procedure, they will most likely come out in a few days following your procedure.

Keep in mind that everybody heals at a different pace. Following the directions of your plastic surgeon is very important to achieve optimum healing. Some people return to work after liposuction in just a few days, others might wait 1 to 2 weeks. You'll visit your plastic surgeon several times following your procedure to monitor your recuperation progress.

Potential Risks and Complications

Liposuction is a safe and effective way to achieve a more contoured body shape. Complications rarely occur during a liposuction procedure. In some instances an excess accumulation of fluids may build up, which can be drained through a small tube.

After a liposuction procedure, there may be a slight unevenness of the skin in the area of the liposuction or changes in the color of the skin. These generally will fade over time, or can be corrected with other cosmetic surgery procedures.

Common Questions About Liposuction

What type of anesthesia is used for liposuction?

Usually a general anesthesia is used for liposuction, but in some cases, depending on the extent of the liposuction procedure, a local anesthesia may be used. Other times, some plastic surgeons use an epidural. Your plastic surgeon will determine what type of anesthesia is best for you during consultation.

Are there a lot of scars after liposuction?

Scarring is very minimal after liposuction. Your plastic surgeon will make every effort to make the incisions in areas that will help hide the scars so that they will be virtually undetectable.

Is liposuction permanent?

The results of liposuction can be very long lasting, especially if you watch your diet and are active.

Is liposuction covered by insurance?

In most cases, liposuction is considered an elective cosmetic surgery and unfortunately is not covered by insurance. You should discuss this with your plastic surgeon and with your health insurance provider.

For additional information, see more Liposuction FAQs.