Liposuction removes excess or unwanted fat from specific areas of the body, and is completely personalized to your needs.
Whether you would like to address stubborn areas on your abdomen, contour a “double chin,” or your create more shapely thighs, liposuction can offer powerful results — for both men and women.
On what areas of the body can liposuction be performed?
Liposuction is most commonly performed on the stomach, abdomen, flanks, neck and chin. It can also treat the following:
Upper arms
Cheeks
Back
Thighs
Knees
Calves
Buttocks
Hips
Ankles
Male chest reduction
What are the benefits of liposuction?
This procedure removes fat by suctioning it out, leaving you with a slimmer, sculpted appearance. Treated areas look slimmer and more contoured, and in better overall proportion to the rest of the body.
“ I highly recommend Dr. Claytor to anyone considering plastic surgery. From my first consultation to my post op visits, I was treated by him and his staff with such kindness and true care. Dr. Claytor has so much enthusiasm and obviously loves his profession. He is a true master of plastic surgery. From day one, Dr. Claytor made me feel comfortable and like I was his only patient. His personal phone calls to check on me before and after surgery is just one example of his true dedication to his patients. He has the best bedside manner of any doctor I have ever met. I am so pleased with my results and that I choose Dr. Claytor.”
—5-Star Google Review*
Am I a good candidate?
The ideal candidate for liposuction is in good overall health but has one or more areas of fat that do not respond to diet or exercise. Liposuction is ideally a “finishing touch,” or may be combined with tummy tucks, arm lifts, or even facelifts to refine your results.
Before & After: Liposuction + Fat Transfer to the Buttocks
To transform this patient’s abdomen, lower back, and buttocks, Dr. Claytor performed a two-step procedure: (1) liposuction of the flanks (love handles) and abdomen, and (2) fat transfer to the buttocks and “hip dips.”
What is the procedure like?
Liposuction uses a thin, hollow tube called a cannula to remove localized areas of body fat. The cannula is inserted through extremely small incisions and then moved back and forth to loosen excess fat, which is suctioned out using a vacuum or a cannula-attached syringe.
Meet Dr. R. Brannon Claytor
Dr. Claytor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds over 20 years of experience as a cosmetic plastic surgeon. An innovator and teacher in the field of plastic surgery, he uses advanced techniques like the drain-free tummy tuck and deep plane facelift to streamline recovery and provide natural-looking, durable results.
Award-Winning, Nationally-Recognized Aesthetic Surgery Expert
Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Over 20 Years of Experience
Chief of Plastic Surgery, Main Line Health
Board Member, The Aesthetic Society
9x Top Doctor Winner, Philadelphia Magazine
America’s Best Plastic Surgeons, Newsweek
Over 1,000 5-Star Reviews, Verified by RealPatientRatings
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Claytor uses a range of liposuction methods, including tumescent liposuction and SmartLipo®.
Tumescent Liposuction
One of the most common liposuction techniques is tumescent liposuction, which may get an assist from ultrasound or laser technology. It is performed on an outpatient basis. During tumescent liposuction, an injection comprising of saline solution, lidocaine (an anesthetic) and epinephrine (a blood-vessel contractor) goes into the treatment area. Then, the solution causes the targeted tissue to swell and become firm, which makes it easier to remove via the cannula.
SmartLipo®
In laser-assisted tumescent liposuction, or SmartLipo®, a laser is used to liquefy the fat, which makes removing it easier. SmartLipo still involves making small incisions in the skin and suctioning it out of the body however the laser has the added benefit of tightening the treatment-area skin after fat is removed. Dr. Claytor can perform the procedure in his QuadA Accredited Surgical Facility conveniently located in Bryn Mawr just outside of Philadelphia.
SmartLipo and traditional liposuction are both popular fat removal procedures. However, there are some key differences between the two.
Traditional tumescent liposuction is slightly more invasive, so it is typically performed under general anesthesia and requires a longer recovery time compared to SmartLipo. The advantages to this technique are that the anesthetic is built-in, so there is no need for general or IV sedation, and blood loss reduces because the epinephrine constricts blood vessels.
SmartLipo, on the other hand, can be performed under local anesthesia and generally has a shorter recovery time compared to traditional liposuction. Another difference is that SmartLipo can also stimulate collagen production, leading to firmer and smoother skin in the treated area which can make it a preferred option for patients who want to improve the appearance of sagging or loose skin in addition to removing excess fat.
The best option for each individual patient depends on their specific needs and aesthetic goals, as well as the recommendation of a qualified and experienced aesthetic surgeon in Philadelphia like Dr. Brannon Claytor. A consultation with our practice can help determine which procedure is best for you.
Liposuction surgery can be performed alone or in conjunction with other body contouring procedures, such as thigh lift and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). For mothers, liposuction is also often included in a full mommy makeover—a customized set of procedures, such as breast surgery and a tummy tuck—that restores your pre-pregnancy shape.
Liposuction may also be effective in supporting some breast procedures. Female breast reduction surgery may be combined with liposuction to remove excess fatty tissue from the sides of the breasts or the underarm area to improve the overall appearance of the breast.
It is also effective for treating gynecomastia, an enlargement of the male breast tissue from hormonal imbalance, commonly referred to as “man boobs.” Breast reduction surgery can treat this common condition, but lipo often offers the same effective results with minimal downtime and practically no visible scarring. Many men with gynecomastia only have a small amount of fat tissue that requires removal and can usually benefit from liposuction surgery.
A consultation at our practice can help determine the best course of treatment for each individual case.
Watch Dr. Claytor Demonstrate Drainless Tummy Tuck with Liposuction
Watch Dr. Claytor Discuss Abdominoplasty with Liposuction
After lipo, patients experience mild swelling, bruising and discomfort in the treated area. Compression garments or elastic bandages can help reduce these symptoms as the area heals. Patients can return to work and other regular activities as soon as they feel comfortable, which is usually after a few days. The patient should avoid exercise and other strenuous activities for a few weeks.
Results of the liposuction procedure may not be apparent until swelling and bruising subside, which usually takes a week; swelling should completely subside within a few months. Incisions are rarely sutured, and scarring is almost nonexistent because the incisions used for the cannula are so small. The results of liposuction are long-lasting unless the patient gains a substantial amount of weight.
Liposuction requires some form of anesthesia, although the method used will depend on the extent of the procedure and the preferences of the surgeon and patient.
General anesthesia is often used for liposuction surgery, which involves the patient being put to sleep with sedation medication, so they are completely unconscious during the procedure.
For SmartLipo or smaller-scale liposuction procedures (i.e. for a small tummy pooch), local anesthesia with or without sedation may be used. This involves the injection of numbing medication into the treatment area to numb the area and minimize discomfort during the procedure. Sedation medication may also be administered to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during the procedure.
Regardless of the type of anesthesia used, rest assured that at Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery it will be administered by board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility with appropriate safety measures in place. Dr. Claytor and his team will work together to determine the best type of anesthesia for you based on your medical history, the extent of the procedure, and other factors.
In addition to the usual risks associated with plastic surgery, risks with lipo include the following:
Loose or rippled skin
Worsening of cellulite
Asymmetry
Contour irregularities
Pigmentation irregularities
If Dr. Claytor removes a large amount of fat, then additional surgery to remove excess skin may be necessary.
We’re Here For You!
If you are considering liposuction, we encourage you to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Brannon Claytor today. He’ll provide you with a personalized surgical plan based on your goals, answer your questions, and help you understand everything that the surgery will entail.
