Note: The illustrations displayed in these procedures are for general reference only. Photographs of actual results will be shown to you during your consultation with Dr. Lerman.

Suction lipectomy is a technique to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body, including the chin, neck, and cheeks; the upper arms and above the breasts; the abdomen, buttocks, hips, and thighs; and the knees, calves, and ankles. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight reduction, but a method of removing localized fat that doesn't respond to dieting and exercise. The best candidates for liposuction are of relatively normal weight but have pockets of excess fat in specific areas. You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations. Most important, having elastic skin will result in a better final contour. (Hanging skin won't reshape to your body's new contours, and may require an additional procedure to remove the excess skin. This will leave visible scars.)

Liposuction will not improve dimpled skin known as cellulite. You have a set number of fat cells that get larger when you gain weight, and smaller when you lose weight. The fat cells that are removed by liposuction are gone. Therefore, if you gain weight in the future, you should gain it more uniformly throughout your body, not just in the areas that bulged. Generally, the fat you can lose by dieting does not respond to suctioning; and, the fat you can suction, does not respond to dieting. This is why people who are the closest to their ideal weight get the best result.

Dr. Lerman will examine you and evaluate your fat deposits and your skin tone. He will also evaluate your general health. Dr. Lerman will also discuss any alternative body-contouring procedures that may be appropriate. You'll receive specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, not smoking and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medicines. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia in our accredited office-operating suite. However, if you prefer, it can be done in the hospital. Prior to your surgery, the areas to be suctioned and the planned small incisions are drawn on you with a marking pen. This allows you to be sure that the areas you are concerned with are being suctioned.

Women may have liposuction performed under the chin, on their hips, thighs, and stomach, and in the under arm and breast area.	For men, common sites include under the chin and around the waist. Liposuction may also be used in the reduction of enlarged male breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia.

Small incisions (just large enough to allow the insertion of a small tube) and a wetting solution is injected into the fat. Dr. Lerman believes that this allows for a more efficient removal of the fat with less bruising and swelling. The fat is then suctioned out, the incisions closed, and a compression garment is applied (which will be worn for about ten days).

The best candidates for liposuction are of normal weight with localized areas of excess fat in the buttocks, hips, and thighs.	The surgeon inserts a cannula through small incisions in the skin. At the other end of the tube is a vacuum-pressure unit that suctions off the fat.	A snug compression garment worn after surgery helps reduce swelling.

Following surgery, you will wear a garment for 10 days to promote skin shrinkage and to minimize swelling and bruising.

As healing progresses, a more proportional look will emerge.	A slimmer body contour can help you feel more confident and comfortable.

A slimmer body contour can help you feel more confident and comfortable.