FAQs

What is Liposuction? Liposuction is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that uses a cannula to gently suction away fat from areas of the body that collect excess fat. Liposuction is performed by the NYC Plastic Surgeon using local anesthetics to better remove the fat from beneath the surface of the skin. Liposuction can be an excellent way to contour the shape of the body, but it should not be used as a weight loss tool.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction? According to the NYC Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a  good candidate for liposuction is defined as any patient who is likely to be happy with the results of liposuction. The best candidates for liposuction are in good health and have realistic expectation of what liposuction cannot accomplish. The essence of what liposuction can achieve is permanent contour improvement (in bold italics in fact there is no other method for achieving selective removal or reduction of fatty deposits in specific areas other than liposuction. Working out is obviously important for health and weight control is obviously important for health and appearance but neither can target specific area of excess fat more than others. However some of the happiest patients have been a bit overweight.

Where is the Liposuction Procedure Performed?
Your liposuction surgery will be performed in the Manhattan, New York Plastic Surgeon’s fully accredited office-based facility.

Is it Possible to Get Financing for Liposuction?
Financing is available for plastic surgery procedures including liposuction.

What Do I Need To Know Before Undergoing Liposuction? During your initial consultation the Manhattan Plastic Surgeon will evaluate your health, assess the condition of your skin, and discuss the options that are best for you. Body contouring methods that are appropriate for your particular situation, the effectiveness and safety of the procedure, and your expectations will be discussed in detail as well as the specific technologies the doctor would like to use. Once you have decided to undergo liposuction, the NYC Plastic Surgeon will give you the necessary instructions that you will need to prepare for the liposuction surgery.

What is the Recovery Period After liposuction? Recovery time depends on the individual, but usually follows a general pattern. For the first few days, the patients take fairly strong pain medicine, usually a mild narcotic. During this time they generally stay at home, lying down or walking around. Patients cannot drive a car or operate machinery during this time. Near the one-week mark, when they are on milder medicine, they can start light exercise, such as treadmill or stationary bike, but not impact exercises like running or aerobics. The second week, weights or exercise machines can be added, and then after three weeks, running and aerobics can be done. The point at which work can be resumed depends upon how the work activities fit into the progression described above, and this is individualized. The Manhattan, New York Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, David Rapaport, MD, FACS, recommends that a compression bandage, or elastic binder, or girdle-type garment is worn nearly continuously for the first four weeks, and generally for much of the time during several weeks or months thereafter.

On What Areas Of The Body Can Liposuction Be Performed? Common locations that the NYC Liposuction Plastic Surgeon, David Rapaport, MD, FACS, performs liposuction include the chin, cheeks, neck, upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles.

Can Liposuction Be Performed On More Than One Area At The Same Time? The Manhattan Plastic Surgeon can perform liposuction on more than one area at the same time if the amount of fat removed does not exceed the recommended amount within the limits of safety. The majority of liposuction patients in fact do choose to treat several areas and this is readily done during the same procedure. In fact in terms of anesthesia, wearing a garment, and dealing with recovery, as well as the cost of the procedure, it makes sense to treat several areas during the same procedure. It is unusual for a liposuction procedure to take more than 2 hours or so, even when several areas are being treated. Dr. Rapaport will not remove more fat than is deemed safe in a single procedure and will inform his patient.

Is Liposuction Long Lasting or Permanent?  The effects of liposuction are essentially permanent. Your body's tendency to store fat in the same old favorite areas will be no longer. This is due to the the permanent decrease in the number of fat cells.  This does not mean that liposuction will keep you from gaining weight.

Most of the NYC Plastic Surgeon's patients are thrilled with the results of their body contouring by liposuction. They feel more comfortable in their clothes and more confident about their appearance. To discuss your individual needs and goals for liposuction or  for complete answers to your specific questions, contact the Manhattan, New York Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, David Rapaport, MD, FACS for a personal consultation.

What is the recovery period after liposuction?
Recovery time depends on the individual. But usually follows a general pattern. For the first few days, most report feeling sore rather that real pain. They may take a narcotic such as Vicodin which Dr. Rapaport will prescribe pre operatively. Patients typically may do liposuction on a Friday and will usually be ready to return to work on Monday. Dr Rapaport finds this to be true in well over 90% of his patients including those who have liposuction on several areas. Patients should not drive a car or operative heavy machinery for as long as they are taking narcotics though many patients never take any narcotics or only Tylenol and sometimes they take no medications at all. Unlimited exercise is permitted 5 days after the procedure although most people take it easy for awhile because they are sore. Because of this, most patients will try to avoid high impact exercises like running for one to two weeks. Dr Rapaport sees each liposuction patient about five to seven days following the procedure and will help guide each patient individually through their recovery process.

What about bruising following liposuction?
Bruising following liposuction is quite variable from patient to patient, and how many areas are being treated. May patients report little to no bruising at all following liposuction and others have varying amounts of bruising. In general, any bruising that does occur will appear much improved after 10-14 days and is completely gone after 3 weeks.

Do I need to wear a special garment after surgery?
Based on the areas being treated New York plastic surgeon Dr. David Rapaport will recommend an appropriate garment. The garment is applied to the patient by Dr Rapaport’s assistant immediately following surgery and should be worn for about 36 hours after surgery. Patients are give specific instructions regarding showering and care. The garment is very useful in the first few days at absorbing drainage which occurs about 12 hours after the procedure, and helps in managing the swelling which is present for a week after surgery. After this period continuing to wear the garment is entirely elective. Some patients enjoy wearing it and feel that their body is better supported and held together with the garment on, while others can’t wait to stop wearing it. Based on his 18 years of experience Dr. Rapaport feels that the final result will be the same with or without prolonged use of the garment and therefore leaves that decision to the patient.