Liposuction FAQ

If you’re considering liposuction, you probably want to know more about what to expect. Here, Dr. Joseph J. Castellano answers the most commonly asked questions our patients have about liposuction.

You can also request a consultation with Dr. Castellano, who has helped men and women from Tampa-St. Petersburg to Orlando feel and look their best through body sculpting with lipo.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.