As men get older, fat begins to settle in regions of the body that are not always responsive to exercise. The stomach/abdominal area is one of the first areas men think of when considering improvement, but many men seek to improve other areas such as the lower back, “love handles,” chest, and arms. Liposuction can help to smooth and contour the areas of the body where unwanted fat deposits develop.

Liposuction can usually be done with only local anesthesia, and recovery time is typically from a few days to a week. Because a man’s skin is generally more elastic than a woman’s, men can be even better candidates than women for liposuction and see even better results.

Request a complimentary consultation to learn more about liposuction and find the best procedures and treatments to help you achieve the look you want. We offer convenient appointment times at 3 locations in Southern California to accommodate your needs.

Here at Facial Aesthetic Concepts, we use the tumescent technique for our liposuction procedures. In addition to being a proven technique in use for over 30 years, tumescent liposuction has the added advantage of requiring only local anesthetic, so you won’t have to “go under” to receive treatment.

The tumescent technique allows us to remove large amounts of fat with very little bleeding or damage to surrounding tissue. Although not everyone’s experience will be the same, most people experience less discomfort with the tumescent technique than with other methods.

Good candidates for liposuction are men who:

• Are close to their desired weight.
• Have deposits of excess fat that don’t respond to diet or exercise.
• Have some areas of their bodies that seem out of proportion with the rest of the body.
• Don’t have sagging skin. The skin should have good elasticity so that it will mold to the body’s new shape.
• Have reasonable expectations. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, and it won’t eliminate cellulite.
• Do not smoke, or are willing and able to quit for several weeks before and after the procedure.

Some men choose to have liposuction at the same time as an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to flatten the abdomen and remove fat deposits at the same time. Male liposuction can also be used during a male breast reduction to treat gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men).

To begin a tumescent liposuction procedure, fluid is injected into the treatment areas. The fluid contains a local anesthetic that numbs the areas and helps to prepare the fat cells for easier removal. A tiny steel tube called a cannula is then inserted into the fat pockets. The cannula is attached to a vacuum, which suctions the fat away. The tumescent fluid is suctioned away along with the fat.

A liposuction procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours to perform. You’ll stay for a few hours in recovery before being released to head home. After the fat is removed, small drains may be placed in the treated areas. These will remove any fluid left in the body after the suction is completed and are typically removed a few days later.

There may be some bruising, swelling, and discomfort following the procedure. Because of the lidocaine used in the tumescent fluid, most people will experience numbness in the treated area for about 12 hours following the procedure. We may prescribe pain medication, but most people find that over-the-counter medications are all they need.

Because of the very small size of the cannula used, the incisions are able to heal themselves without sutures. This aids in fast healing. The lack of stitches also makes draining of the tumescent fluid easier, which generally reduces bruising.

Although some people will feel more discomfort than others, most find that they feel well enough to return to light activity in a day or two and to go back to work in a week or less. Depending on the area treated, you may be asked to wear a compression garment for 4 to 6 weeks following surgery.

Within 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, swelling and bruising should have reduced substantially, and most of your results should be visible. It typically takes 12 to 16 weeks to see the full contouring effects of the procedure. While cells removed with liposuction do not grow back, cells that remain can enlarge with poor eating and exercise habits. For lasting results, it’s important to continue a healthy lifestyle.

There’s no reason to live with unwanted fat. Take the next step and contact us online to schedule a consultation.