Liposuction In Minneapolis St. Paul, MN

In the quest for a well-shaped, trim body, a good diet and proper exercise are the main techniques used by most people to achieve their goals. Unfortunately, heredity and other factors mean that stubborn fat deposits often linger in some areas of the body and don’t respond to diet and exercise. Arms, thighs, abdomen, buttocks, hips, knees, calves, and ankles are common areas prone to these stubborn pockets of fat. In many cases, liposuction procedures can help remove that excess fat and normalize body contours. Liposuction is not a substitute for diet and exercise or a treatment for obesity. It is used to remove excess fat from specific areas that are not responding to diet and exercise. Often used alone, it is also used in conjunction with other plastic surgery techniques, such as abdominoplasty, breast reduction surgery, and other procedures.

If you have troublesome fat deposits, and you want to improve your body contours and make a noticeable change in your appearance, liposuction may be a good choice for you, if you:

Are in good general health.
Are concerned about stubborn fat deposits despite diet and exercise.
Have minimal excess skin in the affected areas.
Have skin with sufficient elasticity.

A Liposuction Consultation with Dr. McCue

If you think that liposuction may be the answer for your persistent fat deposits, a personal consultation with Dr. McCue can give you the answers and information you need. During the consultation, Dr. McCue will ask you about your current health and medical history, and will discuss your current medications and diet and exercise. He will ask you to show him the areas where you want improvements in your body contour and what results you hope to achieve. After this discussion, he will assess your skin elasticity and other factors, and then make recommendations about a course of treatment for you. Dr. McCue will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and will explain what results you can expect if you go ahead with the procedure. He’ll explain how the procedures will be done and inform you of the risks and benefits of the surgery.

Your Liposuction Procedure

Once you’ve made the choice to have a liposuction procedure, it will be scheduled and a Twin Cities location for the surgery selected. You’ll be provided with compete pre-operative information and instructions. Liposuction procedures are done under anesthesia, and your plastic surgeon will recommend the best type of anesthesia for your surgery.

If your liposuction is done as a standalone procedure, small incisions will be made and a tube called a cannula is moved back and forth to loosen and break up fat deposits, usually after a sterile liquid is infused. Then, the excess fat is sucked out through the cannula and removed from the body. If multiple areas are to be treated, the process is repeated. In some cases, liposuction is used along with other surgical procedures, such as abdominoplasty.

Recovering from Liposuction

In most cases, liposuction is done on an outpatient basis, and you’ll return home the same day you have the surgery. In other cases, you may have an overnight stay in the hospital. After the surgery, you’ll recover in a recovery room for a time and rest, if you are going home. You must have someone at the surgery location to take you home. For a few days after surgery, rest is important. You may be given medication or prescriptions to help reduce the risk of infection and to help with discomfort. Your surgeon will give you complete instructions about things to watch for and when you can resume normal activities. Follow-up visits will be scheduled for removal of any stitches and to check your progress. You may experience some swelling and bruising, but these will disappear over time. Once they disappear, you’ll be able to see the full effects of your procedure. Typically, liposuction results are permanent, although later weight gains may alter the results.

Get Started with a Personal Consultation

If you feel that liposuction may be the solution for stubborn fat deposits, the first step is to make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. McCue. Only a plastic surgeon can properly evaluate you for this procedure and may be able to suggest complementary procedures, as well, to provide the improvements you are looking for. Contact Dr. McCue’s Minneapolis St. Paul office at any time to schedule a consultation, so you can make an informed decision for yourself.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction, or surgical fat removal, is today’s number one cosmetic procedure. The goal of liposuction is to create a slimmer, more contoured appearance.

It can be a highly effective way to shape and sculpt the parts of your body that don’t respond to diet and exercise, so liposuction is known as a body sculpting technique.

At McCue Plastic Surgery in Plymouth, MN, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Jonathan McCue, is known as a body sculpting specialist in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. His expertise in body contouring procedures ensures patients can work toward their body goals and feel great about their results.

How Does Liposuction Work?

In liposuction, Dr. McCue creates tiny incisions in the treatment area and uses gentle suction technology to remove excess fat through a thin, hollow tube (a cannula.) The surgery, often performed on an outpatient basis, usually takes one to three hours.

What Areas Can Liposuction Treat?

Liposuction is highly adaptable because the cannulas used are so narrow and small. It can target many areas, including:

Abdomen
Waist
Thighs
Hips
Upper Arms
Back
Flanks (“Love Handles”)
Chin
Neck
Buttocks
Knees

Many patients treat multiple areas in the same session for comprehensive results. For example, if you’re having liposuction for a double chin, removing fat from the neck area often makes sense for a streamlined, smooth contour.

Is Liposuction a Weight Loss Procedure?

No. Liposuction targets and removes fat cells but is no replacement for weight loss. If you want to lose weight, Dr. McCue recommends doing so before scheduling liposuction.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Patients at or close to their goal weight but struggling with fat deposits that won’t budge are usually the best candidates for liposuction. Other important qualifying factors are:

Health: Good general health
Skin Tone: Good candidates have firm, elastic skin and muscle tone. This means your skin can naturally retract and adapt to your new body shape.
Expectations: Realistic expectations are important. Dr. McCue takes the time to explain what you can expect. For example, liposuction doesn’t remove extra skin, so knowing what it can and can’t do is crucial.

Patients with significantly loose skin, such as people who have lost 50, 100, or more pounds, may find a procedure like a tummy tuck could be a better fit. While tummy tuck mainly removes skin and tightens muscles, Dr. McCue often combines it with liposuction for the best results.

How do Liposuction and Nonsurgical Fat Removal Compare?

Liposuction is a surgical fat removal technique, while nonsurgical options like SculpSure and CoolSculpting seek to destroy fat cells through heat or cold temperatures.

Liposuction provides immediate, dramatic results, whereas nonsurgical treatments require multiple sessions and offer gradual fat reduction over months.

Nonsurgical options can generally remove just a fraction of the fat that liposuction can.

What Type of Anesthesia Is Used During Liposuction?

Anesthesia depends on the size of the treatment area and your individual needs. Local anesthesia may be possible for smaller treatment areas, but most liposuction procedures involve regional or general anesthesia.

Dr. McCue tailors anesthesia choices based on the extent of the procedure and patient preference.

Can Liposuction Be Combined with Other Cosmetic Surgeries?

Yes. Liposuction is often paired with procedures like tummy tuck and breast reduction. Combining procedures enhances overall body contouring and improves proportion.

What is the Recovery Process Like After Liposuction?

Minor swelling and bruising are a normal part of recovery. Recovery typically involves:

Compression: Wearing compression garments to reduce swelling
Rest: Avoiding strenuous activity for 2-3 weeks
Light Activity: Many patients resume nonstrenuous daily activities within a few days and return to work within a few weeks.

You’ll be able to see results after removing your compression bandages, but it can take as long as several months for all swelling to recede so you can see the full effects of the procedure.

Dr. McCue provides personalized aftercare instructions to ensure optimal healing.

Are the Results of Liposuction Permanent?

Liposuction permanently eliminates fat cells from the treated area, but if you gain weight, other fat cells nearby may expand and leave you feeling less than happy with your appearance.

The bottom line is that liposuction can’t guard against future weight gain – only you can do that! As long as you maintain your weight, your liposuction results will be long-lasting.

Liposuction Consultations in Plymouth, MN

For expert liposuction procedures from the foremost body sculpting specialist in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, contact Dr. Jonathan McCue at McCue Plastic Surgery at 952-830-0089 to schedule a consultation.