Liposuction

Remove stubborn fat deposits and achieve the sculpted, contoured body you've been working toward. Liposuction targets diet and exercise-resistant fat for dramatic, lasting results.

SURGERY TIME

1-4 Hours

ANESTHESIA

General/Local

RECOVERY

1-2 Weeks

RESULTS

Permanent

Sculpt Your Ideal Body Contour

Even with dedicated diet and exercise, certain fat deposits simply won't budge. These stubborn areas—love handles, belly fat, inner thighs, upper arms—resist your best efforts and prevent you from achieving the toned, sculpted body you desire. Liposuction offers a proven solution, permanently removing unwanted fat cells to reveal sleeker, more defined contours.

Dr. Kim combines artistic vision with advanced surgical techniques to create natural-looking results that enhance your proportions. Whether you want to eliminate a specific problem area or achieve comprehensive body sculpting, liposuction can help you finally achieve the shape you've been working toward.

Benefits of Liposuction

Transform stubborn areas that won't respond to diet and exercise

Targeted Fat Removal

Permanently eliminate fat cells from specific problem areas that resist diet and exercise

Permanent Results

Fat cells removed are gone forever; maintain results with stable weight and healthy lifestyle

Enhanced Definition

Reveal underlying muscle tone and create more defined, athletic-looking contours

Better Clothing Fit

Enjoy how clothes fit and look on your newly contoured body without bulges or lumps

Improved Proportions

Balance your body shape by removing fat from areas that are disproportionately large

Increased Confidence

Feel more comfortable in your body and confident in form-fitting clothes and swimwear

Common Liposuction Treatment Areas

Virtually any area with unwanted fat deposits

Women's Most Common Areas

Women typically store stubborn fat in areas that respond exceptionally well to liposuction:

  • Abdomen: Upper and lower belly, creating flat, toned appearance

  • Flanks (Love Handles): Sides and back for defined waistline

  • Hips & Outer Thighs: "Saddlebags" for smoother leg line

  • Inner Thighs: Eliminate rubbing and create thigh gap

  • Arms: Upper arm fat ("bat wings") for slimmer appearance

  • Back: Bra bulge and mid-back rolls

  • Chin & Neck: Double chin and neck fullness

Men's Most Common Areas

Men often develop resistant fat deposits in specific patterns that benefit from liposuction:

  • Abdomen: "Beer belly" for flatter, more athletic midsection

  • Flanks (Love Handles): Most common male concern, dramatic results

  • Chest: Gynecomastia (male breast tissue) for flatter chest

  • Chin & Neck: Double chin and neck fullness

  • Lower Back: Back fat creating bulges above belt

  • Thighs: Less common but effective for proportionate legs

Additional Treatment Areas

Liposuction can address virtually any area with unwanted fat deposits:

  • Knees: Fat above and around knees for slimmer leg appearance

  • Calves & Ankles: Reduce "cankles" for more defined legs

  • Buttocks: Sculpt or reduce buttock size as desired

  • Upper Arms: Create more toned, defined arm appearance

  • Pubic Area: Monsplasty fat reduction

360° Body Contouring

Many patients achieve best results by treating multiple areas in one session:

  • 360 Lipo: Entire midsection (abdomen, flanks, back) for hourglass shape

  • Lower Body Lipo: Abdomen, flanks, thighs for comprehensive reshaping

  • Upper Body Lipo: Arms, back, chest for balanced proportions

  • With Fat Transfer: Remove fat from one area, add to another (BBL)

  • With Other Procedures: Combine with tummy tuck, breast surgery, etc.

Am I a Candidate for Liposuction?

Determining if liposuction is right for you

You May Be a Good Candidate If:

  • You're within 30 pounds of your ideal body weight

  • You have specific areas of stubborn fat

  • These areas haven't responded to diet and exercise

  • You have good skin elasticity (skin can contract)

  • You're in good overall health

  • You have realistic expectations about results

  • You're a non-smoker or willing to quit

  • Your weight has been stable for several months

  • You're committed to maintaining results

  • You understand liposuction is body contouring, not weight loss

You May Not Be a Candidate If:

  • You're significantly overweight (BMI over 35)

  • You want liposuction instead of weight loss

  • You have poor skin elasticity (may need lift instead)

  • You have mostly visceral (internal) fat, not pinchable fat

  • You smoke heavily and won't quit

  • You have uncontrolled diabetes or heart disease

  • You have blood clotting disorders

  • Your weight fluctuates significantly

  • You have unrealistic expectations

  • You're looking for a quick weight loss solution

Liposuction: Starting at $4,500

Single Area Liposuction

This Includes:

  • Board-certified plastic surgeon with 25+ years experience

  • All surgical fees and anesthesia

  • Compression garment

  • Accredited surgical facility

  • Post-operative care and follow-up visits

Variables Include:

  • Number of treatment areas (single vs. multiple)

  • Volume of fat being removed

  • VASER or power-assisted technique (premium options)

  • Fat transfer to another area (Brazilian Butt Lift, etc.)

  • Skin tightening procedures if needed

  • Combination with other surgeries

Final investment depends on number of areas treated and technique used.

Most patients invest $5,500-$12,000

Note: Treating multiple areas in one session is more cost-effective than separate procedures. Most patients choose 2-4 areas for comprehensive contouring.

Real Patient Results

See the natural, beautiful transformations Dr. Kim's patients have achieved

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. Liposuction is body contouring, not weight loss. It removes localized fat deposits to sculpt and shape your body, but typically removes only 5-10 pounds of fat. You should be at or near your goal weight before liposuction. Think of it as the finishing touch after diet and exercise have gotten you close to your ideal body.

  • Yes. Fat cells removed during liposuction are permanently gone and won't return. However, remaining fat cells can enlarge if you gain significant weight. Maintain results by staying within 5-10 pounds of your post-surgery weight. Most patients find liposuction motivating for maintaining healthy habits.

  • Safety guidelines recommend removing no more than 5 liters (about 11 pounds) of fat in one session, though most procedures remove 2-4 liters. Large volume liposuction (over 5 liters) requires special monitoring and may need overnight stay. Dr. Kim prioritizes safety and natural-looking results over maximum volume removal.

  • This depends on your skin quality and elasticity. Good skin elasticity allows skin to contract smoothly after fat removal. Poor elasticity (from aging, sun damage, or massive weight loss) may result in loose skin. Dr. Kim assesses this during consultation—patients with poor elasticity may need a lift procedure instead of or in addition to liposuction.

  • Most patients describe recovery as "very sore" rather than painful—similar to an intense workout. Tumescent technique provides several hours of numbness. Discomfort peaks at 2-3 days then rapidly improves. Prescription pain medication needed for 3-5 days, then over-the-counter suffices. Compression garment helps reduce discomfort and swelling.

  • You'll see immediate improvement, but significant swelling masks true results. Swelling decreases substantially by 3-4 weeks (70-80% gone), but residual swelling persists for 3-6 months. Final, final results visible at 6 months when all swelling resolved and skin fully contracted. Patience is important—results continue improving for months.

  • Yes, liposuction is frequently combined with other surgeries for comprehensive results. Common combinations: tummy tuck + lipo (better waist definition), breast surgery + lipo (balanced proportions), Brazilian Butt Lift (fat transfer from lipo to buttocks), Mommy Makeover. Combining procedures saves recovery time and overall cost.

  • External (subcutaneous) fat is under your skin—you can pinch it. This is what liposuction removes. Visceral fat surrounds internal organs deep in your abdomen—you cannot pinch it. Liposuction cannot remove visceral fat. If you have a large belly but little to pinch, you likely have visceral fat and need weight loss before considering liposuction.

Ready to Sculpt Your Ideal Body?

Schedule a consultation to discuss your liposuction goals with Dr. Kim

Schedule Consultation
Call: (415) 362-1846