Some fat is more stubborn than the rest. Even at or near your goal weight, a few pockets can hang on no matter how you eat or train. Liposuction removes those isolated fat deposits and refines the shape underneath, from love handles and thighs to a double chin. It is body contouring, not a diet. At Palm Beach Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Michael Sistare will tell you whether liposuction alone will get you the shape you want, or whether skin tightening should be part of the plan.
Liposuction removes stubborn fat beneath the skin to sculpt and refine your contours. Dr. Sistare uses tumescent liposuction, a gentle, well-established technique, through incisions so small they often need just a single stitch. It is an outpatient procedure done under general or local anesthesia and usually takes about one to two hours, and most people go home the same day and return to work within about a week.
Two important points to consider: Liposuction is not weight-loss procedure; it is about shape, not the number on the scale. And it removes fat, not skin, so if you have significant loose skin, a skin-tightening procedure, such as a tummy tuck, may be needed alongside it. Commonly treated areas include the abdomen and waistline, love handles and flanks, inner and outer thighs, upper arms, the back and chest, and the neck and under the chin.
Your skin has as much say in a liposuction result as the fat does. Even when the right amount of fat comes out, skin that has lost elasticity may not tighten smoothly over the new contour. Your weight and how you plan to judge the final result matter too, so each is worth a closer look.
What you are actually trying to change. Liposuction is for stubborn fat under skin that still has good tone. If loose skin is a big part of the picture, fat removal alone can leave the skin looser, and a tummy tuck or lift may serve you better, sometimes combined with lipo. Naming your real concern points to the right plan.
Where your weight is. This is contouring, not weight loss. Dr. Sistare generally recommends being within about 30 pounds of your ideal weight before liposuction, both for safety and for a cleaner result.
Your skin quality. Skin with good elasticity snaps back over the new contour. Skin that has lost elasticity may not, which is worth knowing before surgery so you can plan for it.
Results are about shape, not inches. Liposuction is judged by how you look and how clothes fit, not by pounds or a specific inch loss. The removed fat cells are gone for good, but the ones that remain can still grow, so a stable weight protects your result.
These are the questions Dr. Sistare will ask during your consultation. Having early answers makes the visit more productive and the result more aligned with what you actually want.
Liposuction is an outpatient surgery performed under general or local anesthesia, and it usually takes about one to two hours depending on how many areas are treated. Dr. Sistare uses tumescent liposuction, which starts by injecting a dilute solution of local anesthetic and a blood vessel-constricting medication n into the area. That solution numbs the site, reduces bleeding and bruising, and loosens the fat so it comes out more smoothly.
Once the area is prepared, a thin, hollow tube called a cannula is passed through tiny incisions to suction the fat away and sculpt the contour. The incisions are so small that they often close with a single stitch, which keeps scarring minimal. Because liposuction removes the layer of fat just under the skin, it reshapes the area rather than shrinking your overall size.
Liposuction really comes down to a few decisions made together: whether fat is truly your only issue, how the fat is removed, and how many areas to treat at once. The right plan depends on your body and your goals, not on any standard default.
The most important question is whether your concern is really just fat. Matching the procedure to the concern is what keeps expectations realistic:
| YOUR MAIN ISSUE | BEST FIT | WHY |
|---|---|---|
| Stubborn fat with good skin tone | Liposuction | Removes the fat, and firm skin conforms to the new shape |
| Fat plus loose skin | Liposuction with a tummy tuck or lift | Loose skin has to be removed, not just the fat beneath it |
| Loose skin, little extra fat | A tummy tuck or lift | There is little fat to suction; the skin is the issue |
| Prefer to avoid surgery | A nonsurgical option such as CoolSculpting | Milder results and little downtime, but not on par with surgery |
Dr. Sistare will look at your fat, your skin, and your goals and point you to the plan that actually fits, even if that means combining procedures or choosing something other than liposuction.
Dr. Sistare uses tumescent liposuction, the widely trusted approach. The numbing solution injected first does three jobs at once: it numbs the area, limits bleeding and bruising, and loosens the fat for smoother, more even removal. That combination is what makes the technique both comfortable and precise.
Liposuction can treat more than one area in a single surgery, so many patients address a few zones at once. For more extensive liposuction, or when it is combined with a bigger procedure like a tummy tuck, thigh lift, or arm lift, Dr. Sistare may stage the work across more than one surgery to keep it safe and the results high quality.
Liposuction is measured by shape, not by the scale. It is what refines the areas that stay stubborn after you have already done the hard work.
— DR. MICHAEL SISTARE
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Liposuction works best when expectations match what it can do. It removes stubborn fat and refines your contours. It is not weight loss, and it does not tighten or remove loose skin.
You are likely a good candidate if:
It may not be the right fit if:
During your consultation, Dr. Sistare will evaluate your fat, your skin elasticity, and your goals and tell you honestly whether liposuction, a skin-tightening procedure, or a combination would serve you best. The goal is the right plan for the result you actually want.
Liposuction recovery is generally quick and manageable, especially for a single area. It is still surgery with real downtime, and recovery depends on how many areas were treated, but the timeline below is what most patients can expect.
Liposuction is a safe, well-established procedure when performed by a qualified surgeon. That said, it is still surgery and carries real risks you deserve to understand.
The two most important things within your control are choosing an experienced surgeon and following your aftercare exactly, including wearing your compression garment and maintaining a stable, healthy weight. Dr. Sistare will review every risk with you before your procedure.
Cost depends on the number and size of the areas treated and whether liposuction is combined with another procedure. Because the right plan varies so much from one person to the next, the most accurate number comes from a consultation rather than a generic figure.
Palm Beach Cosmetic Surgery currently offers liposuction for one area starting from $3,995, or about $108 per month with financing. Liposuction is an elective cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. Financing is available through CareCredit, and your consultation will include a clear breakdown based on your specific areas and plan, with no obligation to proceed.
Board certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Michael Sistare brings advanced cosmetic surgery training and a precise, artistic eye to every procedure. He learned the art of cosmetic surgery as a surgical fellow under Dr. Erik Nuveen before returning home to South Florida to practice. Dr. Sistare and his team take the time to assess your body, explain your options in detail, and let you arrive at the right decision yourself, without pressure.
Dr. Sistare is focused on helping you get the results you want at a price you can afford. What patients mention most often in their reviews is the experience itself: a surgeon and team who listen, explain thoroughly, and are genuinely available.
