The popularity of liposuction in Honolulu isn’t showing any sign of slowing down. To meet the diverse demands of my body-sculpting patients, I offer 2 distinct types of liposuction–traditional liposuction and a laser-assisted version called Smartlipo®. In this blog post, I want to offer an easy-to-understand guide to these 2 techniques to help you understand your options.

Both laser and traditional liposuction procedures have the same objective–to remove unwanted fat cells from the body. However, they go about it a bit differently. Traditional liposuction uses manual agitation–that is, the manual loosening of unwanted fat–before suction. Laser-assisted liposuction uses laser energy to heat up and liquefy unwanted fat, making it easier to remove. Both types have their own distinct set of advantages and disadvantages. Laser liposuction with Smartlipo is typically my preference, but in some cases, traditional liposuction is a better option.

I typically get lots of questions about liposuction. Let’s review a few of the most common ones:

Q: What areas of the body can be treated?

A: One of liposuction’s biggest draws is its versatility. Some of the most common treatment areas for liposuction are the following:

• Abdomen
• Inner and outer thighs
• Flanks
• Upper arms
• Back
• Buttocks

Surprising areas where liposuction is quite effective include the ankles, knees, neck, chin, and the breasts or male chest.

You can view more before-and-after photos in my gallery.

Q: Are the results of liposuction permanent?

A: The results of liposuction have the potential to be permanent. However, liposuction does not eliminate the possibility of gaining weight later on. The best way to maintain your results for as long as possible is by adhering to healthy diet and exercise habits.

Q: How long does the treatment take? 

A: Liposuction is a surgical procedure, and the exact time you’ll need to be in surgery depends on the size of the treatment area as well as any complementary procedures you may be undergoing at the same time. During your consultation, I’ll offer you a thorough estimate of how long you can expect your surgery to last.

Q: What is recovery like, and when are results visible?

A: Recuperation after liposuction is often less time-consuming and uncomfortable than many patients expect. Depending on the degree of your procedure, you may need to take up to 1 week away from work and other similar activities. You’ll need to take a few weeks away from the gym and strenuous physical activities. After surgery, I provide each patient with a compression garment to minimize swelling and support their treated areas. It may take some time to fully realize the improvements from liposuction, due to postsurgical swelling, which can linger for several weeks. You should see your initial results develop within about 1 week, and further improve as your recovery progresses.