Liposuction

At our Richmond, Virgina practice, liposuction consistently ranks among the most preferred treatments we offer. If you're looking for an effective way to reduce stubborn, localized fat deposits, liposuction is an excellent option. Dr. Gordon Lewis uses various liposuction techniques to address fat affecting one or more areas of the body. The procedure enhances and reshapes the body, leading to a slimmer, more proportional physique.

Pricing: Starts at
$5,050

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Achieve a more sculpted and contoured body with expert liposuction services. Liposuction is a safe and effective procedure designed to remove stubborn fat deposits that diet and exercise can’t address. Whether you’re targeting your abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, back, or other areas, our board-certified surgeons use advanced techniques, including tumescent and minimally invasive options, to deliver smooth, natural-looking results. With personalized care and precision, we help you achieve the body shape you’ve always wanted. Take the first step toward your transformation—schedule your consultation today to learn more about liposuction!

Who Is a Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction is an excellent option for individuals seeking to remove stubborn fat deposits and enhance their body contours. You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you:

Have Localized Fat Deposits: Struggle with areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, or back.
Are Near Your Ideal Weight: Liposuction is not a weight-loss solution but is best for those who are close to their healthy weight and want to refine their shape.
Have Good Skin Elasticity: Firm, elastic skin ensures smooth results after fat removal.
Are in Good Overall Health: Candidates should be in good physical condition, free from serious medical conditions that could affect healing.

Procedure

1. Consultation and Planning

Before the procedure, you’ll meet with your Dr. Lewis to discuss your goals and identify the areas to be treated. Dr. Lewis will design a personalized treatment plan to ensure the best results. You will be given pricing information at that time

2. Anesthesia

Liposuction is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and the number of areas being treated. Dr. Lewis performs most of his procedures at Stony Point Surgery Center which is an accredited outpatient surgery center.

3. The start of the procedure

Small incisions are needed near the area of the fat to be removed. These are typically about 1/4 inch long. After making these incisions, tumescent fluid is placed with the assistance of cannulas. This fluid is a mixture of saline, local anesthetics and epinephrine. This helps the removal of the fat with minimal blood loss and helps with postoperative discomfort.

4. Fat Removal

Most of the time Dr. Lewis will use a variation of the S.A.F.E technique for liposuction. This involves fat separation and equilibration at the beginning and end of the procedure. This allows more fat removal with less risk of contour irregularities after the surgery.

During this, the fat removal is performed by carefully selecting various cannulas (thin, hollow tubes with holes at the end) to precisely and strategically remove the unwanted fat. . Using a gentle back-and-forth motion, the cannula loosens and removes fat deposits. Occasionally other techniques such as ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), or Renuvion may be used to enhance precision and reduce recovery time.

Dr. Lewis carefully sculpts the area to achieve smooth, natural-looking contours. The amount of fat removed is customized to ensure proportional results that align with your body shape and goals.

5. The end of the procedure

Once the desired contour is achieved, the incisions are closed, and a compression garment is applied to support healing, reduce swelling, and maintain the new shape.

6. Recovery

Most patients can return to light activities within a few days. Lymphatic massage is often recommended to assist with a faster resolution of swelling. Swelling and bruising are normal and subside gradually over the following weeks. Results become visible as the body heals, typically patients will see good results within a few weeks. Most swelling is gone by 6 weeks, but it does take up to a year for all swelling to resolve.

Reducing Risks & Complications

There are risks that you should be aware of with any surgical procedure. To minimize the risks, ensure your surgery is conducted in a safe and secure environment using the latest surgical techniques by checking the certifications and accreditation of your plastic surgeon. Accreditation boards and bodies are there to protect you. Dr. Gordon Lewis extensive surgical experience and is affiliated with several important professional organizations, including:

Major complications are very rare. During your initial consultation, we will discuss every possible outcome of your procedure including possible complications which may include:

Uneven skin
Scarring
Blood clots
Asymmetry
Need for touch-ups

Consultation Expectations

During a comprehensive 1-on-1 consultation with Dr. Lewis, he helps determine if you can benefit from liposuction. He also helps you select the best liposuction method based on your unique aesthetic desires, body type, skin characteristics, and, of course, the amount of fat to be removed.

He will educate you about the various aspects of this procedure, including:
The different liposuction techniques
How firm skin, or the lack of it, affects the outcome
What to expect before, during, and after liposuction
Postoperative instructions to reduce the risk of complications
Anesthesia and facility choices
The cost of liposuction and financing options

Costs

Liposuction starts at $5,050, but procedure prices can vary depending on the extent of the surgery. After discussing your options, we provide a written, detailed price quote. We make absolutely sure there are no hidden costs and no surprises.

There are multiple costs involved in surgical related fees. At your consultation we will give you a detailed breakdown of these fees. The estimate at the top of this page is usually fairly accurate but is an estimate and will not be confirmed until you consult with Dr. Lewis. At that point, we’ll provide a written quote. The total price given is all inclusive and will include:

Dr. Lewis’ fee
Operating room fee
Anesthesia fee
Cost for CosmetAssure® (insurance) to cover surgical related complications in the short run after surgery.

Location

Dr. Lewis has privileges to operate at most of the area hospitals. He performs most of his cosmetic procedures at Stony Point Surgery Center (Medarva) which is a certified Outpatient operating center conveniently located near Stony Point Mall.

Initial consultations, follow up appointments and all non-surgical treatments and minor surgical procedures are performed at Lewis Plastic Surgery office located south of the River in Richmond, VA.

If you would like to learn more about the procedure, request a consultation with Dr. Gordon Lewis using the online form, or call our office at (804) 492-7105 to schedule an appointment.

FAQs

Is liposuction surgery painful?

Mild discomfort and soreness are normal the first few days after surgery; however, liposuction recovery is usually not considered painful.

How much weight can you lose with liposuction?

Patients typically do not lose a considerable amount of weight with liposuction because it is used to remove isolated areas of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. Initially, you may weigh more because of the tumescent fluid and swelling from the procedure. It’s important to be patient and give the body time to heal and expel the excess fluids.

Does the fat return after liposuction?

For smooth, even results some of the fat cells are left behind in treated areas during liposuction; therefore, it is possible for them to enlarge if you don’t consistently exercise and eat right. Weight gain can cause fat cells in other areas to expand as well.

Is liposuction safe?

In general, liposuction is very safe. Several factors contribute to the safety of this procedure, including: Experience and qualifications of the plastic surgeon, surgical facility patient health, amount of fat removed. Dr. Lewis takes the time to ensure each liposuction patient is a good candidate for the procedure as part of the personalized consultation process.

What happens if you don’t wear the compression garment after liposuction?

Without compression, it will take longer for your body to absorb excess fluid and swelling will last longer than necessary. The swelling will be reduced if you wear the garment as directed.

How long should I wear the compression garment after liposuction?

We usually recommend wearing the garment for 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the areas involved.

How long after lipo can I return to work?

Most patients return to work within 3 to 7 days, depending on the extent of the procedure.

How long before you see the results of liposuction?

Results are visible almost immediately and continue to improve throughout the healing process. Expect some swelling, which decreases after about 3 days. Most residual swelling is gone by 6 weeks after surgery.