Liposuction

Liposuction in Annapolis, MD

Liposuction is a body sculpting and shaping treatment to remove pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses small, thin tubes called cannulas through tiny incisions to remove unwanted bulges of fat from almost any area of the body. It remains one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures in America because of its ability to provide targeted toning.

At the Sandel Duggal Center for Plastic Surgery in Annapolis, Dr. Claire Duggal uses the most advanced liposuction techniques to improve contour of the neck, arms, bra-roll, back, waist, abdomen, inner and outer thighs, knees and ankles.  She uses special tools to separate the fat before removal and spread out the remaining fat at the completion of liposuction for smooth, even, slimmer contours. Call us today at (410) 266-7120 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and learn more.

Some areas of the body are ideal for liposuction under local anesthesia, and for these, she uses a special numbing solution to eliminate discomfort.  This can be combined with our ProNox machine for a more relaxed experience without the need for general anesthesia.

back liposuction before and after

What Areas of the Body Can Liposuction Treat?

Liposuction can work wonders to improve the contours of almost any part of the body. Areas we treat successfully with liposuction include:

  • Abdomen and waist
  • Bra-roll
  • Back
  • Love handles
  • Hips
  • Buttocks
  • Chest and breasts
  • Thighs
  • Knees
  • Calves and ankles
  • Upper arms
  • Neck
  • Chin

Liposuction can also be part of a fat grafting procedure to move unwanted fat from an area of the body to a spot that needs more volume, such as the breasts or buttocks — to further enhance body shape and contour— or to the face to fill in hollowed cheeks. In a fat grafting procedure, Dr. Duggal will gently wash and separate the extracted fat, then reinject it into a different area of the body.

For even more pronounced results, you can choose to combine liposuction with many other procedures, including breast surgery, facelift, eyelid surgery, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), and labiaplasty.

Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

If you are in good health, within 20 to 30 pounds of your ideal body weight, and struggle with stubborn areas of excess fat that are resistant to diet and exercise, you are probably well-suited to have liposuction performed.

Dr. Duggal will examine the condition of your skin as part of the screening and planning for the procedure. The best candidates for liposuction have firm, elastic skin in the treatment areas. If your skin is loose or sagging, Dr. Duggal may recommend you combine your liposuction with another procedure.

Liposuction is not a procedure to help you lose a dramatic amount of weight, though it will selectively remove fat from parts of your body. Instead, consider it a body contouring treatment, sculpting your shape by extracting pockets of fat and flattening troublesome bulges.

“At Duggal Plastic Surgery we offer a variety of procedures to sculpt and shape every aspect of your body. I take an individualized approach to each patient and am able to tailor each surgery or combination of surgeries depending on personal goals.”

Dr. Duggal in white jacket

Schedule A Consultation

Dr. Claire S. Duggal offers various surgical and non-surgical procedures of the face and body to her many patients in the Annapolis area. Dr. Duggal’s top procedures include breast augmentation, mommy makeover and tummy tuck. To learn more about how her specialties can address your unique needs, we invite you to book an appointment today! Dr. Duggal and our staff look forward to meeting you!

How Does Liposuction Work?

Dr. Duggal performs liposuction by numbing the treatment area with an anesthetic, then making a small incision and inserting a thin tube called a cannula to suction out the fat. Dr. Duggal performs liposuction in three stages to obtain the best possible results.  Before extracting the fat, Dr. Duggal separates the fat with a special cannula so she can remove it more easily.  She then moves the cannula back and forth in controlled motions to remove an even amount of fat.  Finally, she uses another special cannula to spread the remaining fat around to avoid bumps or dips in the treated area.  The incisions are closed with a small stitch under the skin, and a compression garment is placed with foam underneath to reduce post-operative swelling. 

What to Expect During Liposuction Treatment

You will get your liposuction treatment in the West Annapolis Surgery Center, the spacious, state-of-the-art facility in which we perform all our cosmetic surgery procedures. Located one floor above the Sandel Duggal Center in the same building, it is convenient and comfortable for our patients.  Depending on the extent and type of your liposuction treatment, we will give you local anesthesia, possibly with a sedative or ProNox to help relax you, or general anesthesia.

abdomen liposuction before and after

The duration of the procedure will depend on the number of areas you are having treated and the amount of fat you’re getting removed. The most straightforward treatments take less than an hour, while more extensive surgeries can last more than three hours. Dr. Duggal will let you know how long you can expect to spend in our surgical center as part of her planning consultation with you.

You’ll go home the day of the procedure, after you have recovered from the anesthesia or sedation. If your procedure is done under local anesthetic you will be able to drive yourself home, but if you have sedation or general anesthesia you will need to arrange for a ride to bring you home and stay with you overnight.  If you combine multiple procedures, Dr. Duggal may recommend you spend the night in an overnight suite with a nurse and go home the next morning. 

What to Expect in Recovery

You can expect some pain, swelling, and bruising in the first days after the procedure. You’ll go home with a compression garment or compression dressings on the treated area, to minimize swelling and promote healing. You may also have a temporary drains placed in the incisions. Dr. Duggal will give you instructions on how to care for yourself in recovery and how to keep the incision areas sterile. She will prescribe pain-relief medication to ease any short-term discomfort. She’ll schedule a follow-up visit to check on your progress, and to remove drains if they were needed.

Most patients go back to work and resume light activities within a few days. You’ll be able to resume your normal level of activity and exercise in about 2-6 weeks depending on if your liposuction was combined with another procedure. Some bruising and swelling can remain for up to six weeks, and it will take six months to see final results. 

FAQS: Liposuction in Annapolis, MD

The fat cells removed with liposuction are gone from your body forever. After the procedure, you’ll have fewer fat cells in the treated area. If you gain weight, those fat cells may increase in size, but the area will remain proportionally slimmer compared with other parts of your body. For the best long-term results, adopt healthy eating and exercise habits to maintain a stable weight.

No. Liposuction is a body contouring treatment for people who are within 20 to 30 pounds of their ideal weight. There are some limits to how much fat Dr. Duggal can safely remove during liposuction, and after your treatment, the number you see on the scale will probably remain about the same. However, you will enjoy a more toned and tightened physique.

Unfortunately, no. Cellulite is a skin condition — bulges and dimpling from fat near the surface of the skin. Liposuction removes deeper layers of fat and does not have a significant effect on cellulite.

According to RealSelf, a website patients use to research cosmetic procedures, liposuction costs in Maryland range from $2,475 to $10,600 near Annapolis, with an average of $6,025 from reviews submitted.

Multiple factors influence your total price tag. The primary considerations are the amount of excess fat removed and the number of areas treated. However, pre- and post-op appointments, surgeon’s fees, anesthesia fees, and the cost of post-surgical compression garments are other variables.

When you’re seeking plastic surgery, remember that board-certified surgeons are always the most qualified in terms of education, training, and high standards of medical ethics and patient safety. During your consultation, ask to review liposuction before-and-after images so you can get an idea of the results a potential surgeon has helped previous patients achieve.

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure, so you can go home afterward, but you’ll need someone to drive you if your surgery involved sedation or general anesthesia. While you’re healing, you can expect bruising, swelling, and tenderness in the treated areas. You’ll need to wear a compression garment to support your newly improved contours during recovery.

Choose only a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in body sculpting procedures like liposuction, tummy tucks, and mommy makeovers. You can also read testimonials from previous patients to get a sense of your surgeon’s personality and aesthetic philosophy.

Contact Us Today

The Sandel Duggal Center for Plastic Surgery is one of the top plastic surgery practices in Maryland. Dr. Claire Duggal is an expert in body contouring procedures, including liposuction. Contact us online, call (410) 266-7120 to request a consultation.

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