How long does Liposuction Surgery take?

Liposuction is your best option if you want to get rid of extra fat that has accumulated in areas like your upper arms, thighs, buttocks, or stomach. It is one of the safest and most popular plastic surgery procedures, and works effectively for a wide range of patients and body parts. One question most individuals considering abdominal liposuction in NYC or any other liposuction treatment ask their plastic surgeon is how long the procedure will take.

How Long Does Liposuction Take to Perform?

The procedure usually takes less than three hours. However, certain things impact the duration of the surgery. Every patient and every procedure performed are different and it is possible for a liposuction procedure to last up to several hours.

The area treated would significantly impact the time taken to perform the procedure. For example, while buttocks liposuction generally takes at least 45 minutes since it’s a medium size surface area, liposuction of small localized areas like the chin and neck usually takes about 20 minutes. Treating the abdomen, back, arms and legs typically takes an hour. Depending on the amount of fat to be removed and the area fat is removed from, abdominal liposuction can take from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

The length of time taken to perform liposuction would also depend on whether multiple areas are treated in one session. In normal cases, treating only one area would take about an hour. Treating more than one area would take more time. For instance, plastic surgeons usually perform liposuction on the flanks in combination with that of the lower and upper abdomen. A combination procedure of this nature could take two to three hours.

Compared to traditional liposuction that uses general anesthesia, tumescent liposuction, has a quicker recovery time. With minimally invasive techniques, liposuction can be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. In leading Manhattan plastic surgery centers, surgeons use advanced minimally-invasive technologies such as VASERlipo (ultrasound-assisted) and BodyTite (radiofrequency-assisted). All of these procedures use local anesthesia and involve minimal downtime and short recovery.

Recovery

Energy-assisted liposuction techniques are minimally invasive procedure and it do not involve any open cuts or linear incisions; instead, a tiny incision is used to insert a specialized cannula, deliver targeted energy to liquefy the stubborn fat, and suction it off.  After liposuction surgery, patients typically experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which gradually subside over time. It’s essential to follow the post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon, including wearing the compression garment and keeping follow-up appointments. Most patients can resume light activities and work in three to ten days and their regular activities, such as driving and exercising, in a few weeks. For one to two months after your liposuction procedure, you’ll probably also need to wear a compression garment.

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Read our blog post Can Abdominal Liposuction Address Love Handles?

If you’re considering abdominal liposuction in NYC or any other body contouring procedure, reach out to an experienced plastic surgeon. By consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon and understanding the surgical process, you can gain clarity on how long the procedure will take and what to expect during your journey to a more sculpted abdomen. Experts will provide the right guidance as well as personalized care throughout your aesthetic enhancement journey.