Stubborn pockets of fat can be frustrating, especially when they persist despite a healthy diet and regular exercise. Liposuction is a highly effective body-contouring procedure designed to remove unwanted fat from targeted areas such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, hips, arms, and chin, helping to create a slimmer, more sculpted appearance. While liposuction is not a weight-loss solution, it can enhance body proportions and refine areas that have been resistant to traditional weight management efforts.
Dr. Robert Galiano is a board-certified plastic surgeon who combines advanced liposuction techniques with an artistic eye for body contouring, helping patients achieve natural-looking, balanced results that complement their unique physique.
See the results from real patients who have undergone liposuction in the liposuction before-and-after gallery.
Liposuction Benefits
You should expect significantly reduced excess fat tissue in the body area you choose for liposuction. This means that the areas you select from this procedure will be noticeably slimmer. Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure, so you should not expect to have noticeable scarring.
Candidates For Liposuction
In general, if you are over 18 years of age and are in good health, you are likely an excellent candidate for liposuction. Ideal candidates are at a stable weight and have realistic expectations about the amount of tissue to be removed and maintaining a long-lasting result. It is very important to have healthy lifestyle habits and be committed to fitness and healthy eating, so as not to regain the weight removed by this procedure.
How Liposuction is Performed
Liposuction is generally done in the operating room under general anesthesia or sedation with local anesthesia. Dr. Galiano uses two different approaches to remove unwanted fat: ultrasonic-assisted liposuction (UAL) and power-assisted liposuction (PAL). Which one he uses for your procedure depends on which is appropriate for your body and the areas to be removed. The benefits of these techniques include the ability to extract more fatty tissue, achieve more refined contouring, and harvest fat for fat grafting, which may improve contours in other areas.
Liposuction Aftercare & Recovery
Liposuction is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, so you should expect to go home the same day. Dr. Galiano uses validated techniques to minimize the pain that is typically associated with liposuction, such as localized anesthesia. A compression garment will be placed over the treated area to control swelling, and temporary drains may be placed to relieve fluid as you heal. Most patients benefit from being away from work for a week or so. Pain is highly patient-specific, but most patients will not experience significant pain during the procedure performed by Dr. Galiano. There will be swelling and variable bruising initially. You may do mild exercises as soon as you feel up to it.
Liposuction Surgery Risks
Any surgical procedure carries risks, and you will receive a full discussion of these during your consultation. Some known risks include the following:
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Anesthesia risks
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Minimal Scarring
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Pain
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Lumps
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Bleeding
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Small wounds
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Uneven contours
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Loose or rippling skin
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Tissue damage
Dr. Galiano will go over these risks and discuss ways he can minimize the chances of them occurring.
Why Choose Dr. Galiano for Liposuction
Dr. Robert Galiano is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in body-contouring procedures, including liposuction. Known for his meticulous technique and artistic eye, he focuses on removing unwanted fat in a way that enhances natural proportions and creates smoother, more balanced results. Every liposuction treatment plan is customized to your anatomy, concerns, and aesthetic goals.
Patients choose Dr. Galiano for his commitment to safety, precision, and personalized care. From your initial consultation through recovery, he takes the time to explain your options, set realistic expectations, and guide you through every step of the process. With advanced surgical expertise and a focus on natural-looking outcomes, Dr. Galiano helps patients achieve a slimmer, more sculpted appearance with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because the fat cells removed with liposuction are permanently gone, you should be able to enjoy your results indefinitely, perhaps even for life. The way to maintain your results is to keep your weight steady going forward. Weight fluctuations can undo some of the appealing contours achieved with this surgery.
Although you may notice a trimmer physique after undergoing liposuction, it is wise to postpone judging the outcome until your swelling has subsided. In some cases, the swelling may be so significant that it appears as if your body has not lost any fat. Fortunately, your results should improve over the following weeks. After two to six months, you should see your complete results.
First and foremost, liposuction is not intended to be a weight-loss surgery. It is a cosmetic procedure that helps achieve more defined contours for patients who are close to their goal weight but are unable to eliminate stubborn fat deposits. While you can expect to be somewhat lighter after having fat cells removed, you should find more success losing pounds by dieting and exercising, or perhaps having bariatric surgery if you are clinically obese.
Depending on your skin condition, it is certainly a possibility. When liposuction is performed on younger, supple skin, the skin easily retracts to fit the new contours attained with liposuction. Unfortunately, older skin that has lost some of its natural elasticity may show some sagging. Dr. Galiano can discuss skin-lifting surgery (such as a tummy tuck, body lift, or thigh lift) with you during a consultation if he believes loose skin may detract from the contours you are trying to achieve. A lift can be performed in combination with liposuction or at a future date if deemed necessary.
Gaining a small amount of weight should have very little effect on the outcome of your body contouring procedure. However, a significant fluctuation in fat can make the rest of your body look ill-proportioned. That occurs because excess calories will be stored as fat in fat cells in other areas of the body.
Although cellulite is often considered synonymous with fat, it is a dimpling of the skin due to compartments forming in connective tissue. Fat can make cellulite worse, but cellulite is also found on “skinny” women, with 90% of all women developing cellulite at some point. Liposuction is ineffective at getting rid of cellulite and, in some extreme cases, can make it worse. If cellulite is your primary concern, speak to Dr. Galiano about treatments that may improve the appearance.
Procedures like CoolSculpting have gained popularity among patients because they are less invasive, but Dr. Galiano still considers liposuction the best fat-removal procedure available. Most importantly, liposuction can remove more fat cells than the alternatives, thereby achieving more dramatic results. Also, the recovery from liposuction is relatively short and easy, especially compared to other popular plastic surgeries. Since healing is easier, scars are minimal, and results are better, most patients see more value in traditional liposuction.
The cost of liposuction varies widely based on factors such as the number of areas treated, the volume of fat removed, the complexity of the procedure, and whether liposuction is performed alone or combined with other surgeries. Additional costs may include anesthesia, facility fees, and post-surgical garments. Because each procedure is customized, an exact price is determined during a consultation. Although insurance does not cover liposuction since it is an elective procedure, financing plans are available.
Yes, liposuction is an effective treatment for reducing excess fat beneath the chin and along the jawline, commonly called a double chin. This procedure removes submental fat deposits to create a more defined and contoured lower face. However, liposuction primarily targets fat and does not significantly tighten loose or sagging skin. To achieve the best results, patients with moderate to severe skin laxity may benefit from additional procedures, such as a neck lift or non-surgical skin-tightening treatments. During a consultation, Dr. Galiano assesses your anatomy to determine whether liposuction alone is the best approach to refining the chin and neck.
Liposuction is a widely performed and generally safe procedure when conducted by a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility. Dr. Galiano takes every precaution to minimize risk by thoroughly evaluating each patient’s medical history and employing advanced surgical techniques to enhance safety and effectiveness. However, like any surgery, liposuction carries some risks, including swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, and, in rare cases, complications such as infection, contour irregularities, or fluid accumulation. Choosing a qualified and experienced surgeon and following all post-operative care instructions significantly reduces the likelihood of complications and ensures the best possible outcome.
Liposuction requires small incisions to insert a cannula for fat removal. These incisions are typically less than half an inch long and are placed in natural creases or discreet areas to minimize visibility. While scars are inevitable with any surgery, liposuction scars tend to be small and fade significantly over time.
A smooth recovery is key to achieving the best results from liposuction. Here are some essential recovery tips:
- Wear compression garments as instructed – These help reduce swelling, promote skin retraction, and support the newly contoured areas. Most patients wear them for a few weeks post-surgery.
- Follow activity restrictions – Light walking is encouraged to promote circulation and prevent blood clots; however, patients should avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and high-impact activities for about four to six weeks.
- Manage swelling and discomfort – Swelling is normal and may take several months to fully subside. Using cold compresses and keeping the body elevated when resting can help minimize swelling. Pain is usually manageable with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.
- Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet – Drinking plenty of water and consuming nutrient-rich foods aid in faster healing. Avoid excess sodium, which can contribute to swelling.
- Be patient with results – While some contour improvements are visible within a few weeks, final results typically take three to six months to appear as swelling fully resolves.
Slim and Contour Stubborn Areas with Liposuction in Chicago, IL
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