Liposuction FAQs

If you’re considering liposuction, you probably want to know more about what to expect. Here, we answer the most commonly asked questions our patients have about liposuction.

You can also request a consultation with us for more information.

The best candidates for liposuction are those who are already within a few pounds of their ideal weight, and who enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle. Men and women considering lipo should also be in good general physical and mental health, and have realistic expectations about their results.

Liposculpture is just a fancy word for regular liposuction. Some marketing whiz along the way decided that “sculpture” on the end of “lipo” sounded more appealing than “suction” and a lot of surgeons decided that seemed like a good idea to them too. And micro liposuction refers to using narrower cannulas, which is common practice for smaller target areas like under the chin. Although there may be a lot of methods available out there, the most important thing to keep in mind for any type of liposuction is the surgical skill behind the procedure rather than the specific brand name or lipo technique that’s advertised.I usually recommend combining procedures for a few reasons. For one, it’s less stressful both physically and mentally to undergo one surgery instead of two. It also means you only have to deal with one recovery period, plus you won’t have that in-between time when your goals haven’t been fully met and you may feel unhappy with your appearance. Finally, surgical costs can be reduced by combining procedures.

Everyone wants the best results that will look good and complement their natural features. There are so many liposuction surgeons in the Tampa area, but not all of them can deliver the results you want. Dr. Castellano and his team have decades of aesthetic experience and hundreds of satisfied repeat patients. During your consultation, you can see more before and after images and find out how we are able to create a better body contour with liposuction surgery.

Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. While a small amount of weight may be lost as the byproduct of liposuction, the primary goal of lipo is to sculpt fat deposits away that interrupt the naturally aesthetic lines of your body. In fact, liposuction results look best on those patients who are within a few pounds (or have already reached) their target weight, and just need to smooth out a few problem areas.  In fact, the FDA has set limits on how much fat can be withdrawn via lipo in order to maintain the highest patient safety standards. Additionally, there are two types of fat in the body: visceral fat, which develops around internal organs, and subcutaneous fat, which is closer to the skin’s surface. Weight gain is typically due to excess visceral fat (which can only be lost through diet and exercise), while liposuction only targets subcutaneous fat.

Yes! The love handles are a popular target area for lipo, and are a great example of the type of isolated fat deposits that never seem to disappear regardless of diet and exercise.

The short answer to this question is that liposuction has a long history of proven results, and the alternatives you mention… well, not so much. Whether the claim is that there are devices out there that can zap away fatty tissue with radiofrequency waves or freeze the fat cells right out of your body, FDA approval isn’t necessarily a guarantee that any of these methods actually work as well as liposuction. As the old saying goes, if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Tumescent liposuction remains the gold standard for body contouring.

The techniques we use allow us to target and remove fat cells from virtually anywhere throughout the face and body. Lipo can be used to reduce muffin tops and love handles in the abdomen, trim down your waist, sculpt your upper arms or the male chest to reveal more defined muscle tone, and slim and smooth your inner and outer thighs. Lipo can even be used in the face and neck to help you look younger and healthier.

At Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center, we offer traditional tumescent liposuction, which is considered the gold standard of body sculpting. During your consultation with Dr. Castellano, you can learn more about this technique.

Before your procedure, Dr. Castellano will mark the target area or areas on your body. Then, during surgery, he’ll make one or several tiny incisions through which he can access the fat deposits with a cannula. If using tumescent lipo, he’ll saturate the area with a special solution that includes a local anesthetic so you’re comfortable throughout the surgery. This fluid also helps loosen fat cells so they can be removed more easily. The fat cells are removed with gentle suction after they’ve been broken apart or liquefied. Finally, your incisions will be dressed and you’ll be ready for your recovery.

Because it involves very small incisions, liposuction recovery is generally fairly simple and easy for most patients. While some discomfort, soreness and swelling are to be expected, these symptoms are usually easily managed with over-the-counter or prescription pain medication.

Following lipo, you can expect to feel a little sore and uncomfortable at first, usually accompanied by some bruising. Dr. Castellano will ask you to wear a special compression garment to reduce swelling and help eliminate any remaining tumescent fluid, as well as promote healing. The compression garment also encourages your body to conform to its new contours. Most lipo patients are back to their normal daily routine within a week or two, but more vigorous activities should wait until you feel more comfortable.

There will be scars left after the initial incisions, but they are usually so small (just a few millimeters) that they heal up to nearly invisible. Dr. Castellano carefully places incisions where they’ll be hidden within the natural contours of your body for even greater discretion.

You should notice a difference almost right away after your lipo, with the effects becoming more apparent as post-operative swelling dissipates. Most patients can see their final results after a few months, although some continue seeing improvements even longer.