Liposuction offers a focused way to address areas that don't respond well to healthy habits alone. This procedure targets specific pockets of fat, helping patients achieve a smoother outline in places like the abdomen, thighs, or arms.
At Old Town Medspa in Chicago, this option is performed under the guidance of Dr. Nael Gharbi and Dr. Shazel Gharbi, experienced physicians with board certifications in internal and aesthetic medicine. They utilize careful techniques that keep you comfortable while bringing you closer to your aesthetic goals.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a minimally invasive treatment for stubborn fat deposits. This extra fat is removed through a small tube called a cannula. It is specifically targeted and suctioned from the body through this tube with safe, effective, and slimming results.
This treatment is most commonly performed using a tumescent technique with ultrasound imaging or laser energy. It is generally performed as an outpatient treatment using local anesthesia. Tiny incisions are made, the tube is inserted, and the fat is suctioned out.
Ideal Liposuction Candidates
Not everyone is a good fit for liposuction. To qualify as a good candidate, it is recommended that you be in good general health and not have contraindications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or conditions that affect blood flow.
It is also important to have realistic expectations of this treatment. Liposuction is intended to help with fat deposits that are unresponsive to diet, exercise, and other natural weight-loss methods. This is not meant for major weight loss, nor can it replace diet and exercise.
Areas Liposuction Can Treat
Liposuction can be done on many areas of the body, including but not limited to the following:
- Thighs
- Hips and buttocks
- Upper arms
- Back
- Abdomen and waist
- Chest area
- Inner knee
- Calves and ankles
- Cheeks, chin, and neck
Liposuction Results
Most patients see immediate results that make them appear slimmer and more contoured. However, each patient will have different goals. These goals will be discussed in detail during a consultation, and a process or timeline will be established based on them.
For some, one treatment is all that is needed. For others, one or more treatments may be necessary.
The results of any treatment can be permanent; however, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Without diet and proper exercise, your body will likely return to the state it was in before your treatments. These treatments do not improve skin tone or firmness. As you age, you are likely to notice a natural loss of firmness.
What to Expect During Liposuction Recovery
If you schedule a liposuction procedure, you should plan a few days off work to allow time for rest and recovery. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may be advised to take about a week off. During that time, you will need to follow explicit aftercare instructions to help your tiny incisions heal and your fatty tissue smooth out beneath your skin.
You may walk beginning the day of your procedure. Doing so is important to maintain optimal circulation. However, this will be limited to short distances, like walking around the house, a few times a day. You may gradually increase your walking and other light activities after a few days, but you should avoid lifting and activities that significantly increase your heart rate.
You may need to take over-the-counter or prescription painkillers for a few days after liposuction. You'll also wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling and bruising.
By about three weeks after your procedure, your side effects should be significantly better, and your routine should be back to normal. You may feel comfortable enough to return to a desk job or other light job as early as one week after surgery. Full clearance usually comes about six weeks after surgery.
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Liposuction or Tummy Tuck: Which is Best?
Many people wonder if they would be better served by liposuction or a tummy tuck. This is understandable because both can be performed in the same general area.
You may be a better candidate for liposuction if your primary concern is excess fatty tissue. For liposuction to achieve ideal results, your skin and connective tissue should already be relatively taut.
If, on the other hand, you have a relatively flat midsection, but the area looks loose and flabby due to the condition of your connective tissue and skin, you may be better served by a tummy tuck.
At Old Town Med Spa, we perform surgical liposuction and also offer several non-surgical body contouring treatments, including BodyTite™ and CoolSculpting®. Here, you may find that you can achieve outstanding results without having to consider a tummy tuck at all.
Why Choose Old Town Med Spa for Liposuction in Chicago?
Old Town Med Spa stands out in Chicago thanks to the skill and dedication of the MD Brothers, Drs. Nael and Shazel Gharbi. As the practice's founders and medical directors, they bring extensive training, board certifications in aesthetic and internal medicine, and memberships in leading cosmetic surgery associations.
With more than a decade in medical practice and thousands of aesthetic patients served since 2015, they offer advanced techniques in face and body contouring. Their three locations (Lincoln Park, Bucktown, and River North) offer modern, welcoming environments where patients can feel confident in their care.
FAQs
You should not focus on weight loss before liposuction unless expressly advised to do so by a doctor. The liposuction procedure is generally scheduled when you're at a weight you can manage, and that weight has been stable for at least a few months.
It's best to approach your liposuction with zero expectation of weight loss.
This procedure is designed to sculpt the body, not make you weigh less. Ideally, you will be at your healthiest weight when you schedule liposuction. That way, you can align with the procedure's primary goal: improving your body contours by removing small areas of excess fat.
Through liposuction, a surgeon can remove between two and five liters of fat. This usually equates to no more than about 10 pounds.
Liposuction uses tumescent fluid. This multi-ingredient solution is infused into the surgical site to achieve several objectives. One of these is acting as a local anesthetic. The power of tumescent anesthesia is so profound that liposuction can often be performed without general anesthesia. This can be done without compromising your comfort.
Preparation starts with following the guidance your provider gives you during your consultation. You may be asked to stop certain medications or supplements that increase bleeding risk.
Staying hydrated, eating balanced meals, and avoiding alcohol in the days leading up to your appointment can help ensure a smoother experience. Arrange your home for easy recovery by setting up a comfortable resting area and having loose clothing ready. It's also helpful to plan for time off work so you can focus on healing.
Light walking is recommended within the first day to support circulation, but strenuous activity should wait. Most people can return to gentle movement after several days, increasing intensity gradually as swelling and tenderness improve.
Many providers suggest avoiding vigorous exercise, heavy lifting, and high-impact routines for about four to six weeks. Your exact timeline will depend on the areas treated and your body's healing pace. Follow-up visits help your provider monitor your progress and guide you on when it's safe to return to your usual workouts.
Yes, a responsible adult should drive you home. Even when local anesthesia is used, the combination of medication, fatigue, and post-procedure discomfort makes it unsafe to drive yourself.
Your provider may also recommend having someone stay with you for the first several hours, especially if multiple areas were treated. This support helps you focus on rest while ensuring you have help with basic tasks as the initial numbness and soreness fade.
Schedule a Liposuction Consultation Today
Liposuction can help you address stubborn areas that haven't responded to healthy habits, and the team at Old Town Med Spa is ready to guide you through the process.
If you're considering this option and want personalized insight into what it can achieve for you, scheduling a consultation is the best way to begin. Contact us today at our Lincoln Park, Bucktown, or River North location or book an appointment online.
