Liposuction

What liposuction can treat

Dr. Duggal uses the SAFE® liposuction technique to sculpt areas including the neck, chin, arms, bra roll, back, waist, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles. Her technique focuses on smooth, even contouring rather than simply removing fat — she carefully separates the fat before removal, then smooths and equalizes the remaining tissue to help minimize bumps, dips, and contour irregularities.

Depending on the treatment area and extent of the procedure, liposuction may be performed under local anesthesia, with ProNox®, or under general anesthesia.

Am I a good candidate?

Liposuction is best suited for healthy patients who are near their desired weight and have localized areas of excess fat that have not responded to diet and exercise.

Patients with firm, elastic skin generally achieve the most predictable results. If your skin is loose or sagging, Dr. Duggal may recommend combining liposuction with another procedure.

Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. It is designed to refine your natural shape, improve proportions, and create more defined contours.

Abdomen liposuction before and after — an actual patient of Dr. Duggal.

Back liposuction before and after.

How the procedure works

Liposuction is performed through small incisions using a thin cannula. Dr. Duggal carefully separates and removes the unwanted fat, then smooths and equalizes the remaining tissue to create natural, even contours.

Compression garments are used after surgery to support healing and help manage swelling. When paired with a tummy tuck, Dr. Duggal may contour the waist and flanks, upper back, or bra roll to create greater definition and balance around the abdomen.

Treatment takes place in the West Annapolis Surgery Center, one floor above the Sandel Duggal Center in the same building. The most straightforward treatments take less than an hour, while more extensive surgeries can last more than three hours.

What to expect in recovery

You will go home the day of the procedure, once you have recovered from the anesthesia or sedation. Under local anesthetic you can drive yourself; with sedation or general anesthesia you will need a ride and someone to stay overnight. If you combine multiple procedures, Dr. Duggal may recommend a night in an overnight suite with a nurse.

Expect some pain, swelling, and bruising in the first days. You will go home with a compression garment or dressings on the treated area, and may have temporary drains placed in the incisions. Dr. Duggal will prescribe pain-relief medication and schedule a follow-up visit to check your progress.

Most patients return to work and light activity within several days, with more strenuous activity gradually resumed over the following weeks. Swelling continues to improve as you heal, with final results developing over the following months. The fat cells removed are permanently removed from the treated areas — maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle helps preserve your results over time.