Body
Liposuction San Francisco Bay Area
Most of us have areas of our bodies that we’d like to change. We want to be smaller, firmer, slimmer … and these feelings usually lead us to trying diets and exercise regimens with varying degrees of success.
Sometimes, we can make a change. But often, even the most dedicated exercise plan and the strictest diet can’t fix the issue of stubborn fat. Only when a procedure like liposuction is introduced can we truly say goodbye to this fat forever.
Why Choose Dr. Sieber for Liposuction?
Dr. Sieber is a double board certified plastic surgeon in the San Francisco Bay Area who specializes in liposuction and other forms of plastic surgery. He has unique experience performing highly successful liposuction on a range of patients.
In addition to his extensive training and experience, throughout his career, he has given multiple lectures, both nationally and internationally, to other plastic surgeons on the techniques he uses for hi-definition liposuction, his advanced post-operative protocols, and how he came to incorporate this type of liposuction into his practice.
To accomplish this and ultimately learn how to perform hi-definition liposuction, Dr. Sieber traveled to Bogota, Colombia to train with Alfredo Hoyos and Humberto Uribe Morelli. Dr. Hoyos is considered the creator of hi-definition liposuction, and through his training, Dr. Sieber was able to take his liposuction techniques to an entirely new level that is not commonly found in the United States.
Dr. Sieber is an experienced board certified plastic surgeon and has performed hundreds of liposuction procedures over his last six years of practice in San Francisco.
Table of Contents
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery that involves making small incisions near pockets of stubborn excess fat, inserting a hollow cannula, and suctioning out fat cells before closing the incisions. Liposuction surgery can be a standalone surgery, but it can also be done in combination with other surgical procedures, such as tummy tuck surgery, breast augmentation, face-lift, mommy makeover, neck lift, or Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).
Liposuction Before and After Photo
These liposuction before and after pictures represent actual patients from Dr. Sieber. They will help to assist you in understanding your various options and enable you to set realistic goals for your own surgical outcome.
Patient Testimonials
Dr. Sieber did my tummy tuck and 360 lipo. The results are better than anything I could have imagined! He checked in with me everyday after the surgery, which really made me feel safe and at ease after such a major surgery.
If you are thinking about getting plastic surgery, Dr. Sieber is your guy!
Ashley t.
I have done multiple procedures and treatments with Dr. Sieber and Sally. The results of all of them look amazing and they dramatically improve my appearance!
Previously I had some fat underneath my chin, on my neck, abdomen and arms. I went through two liposuctions three months ago, and the results are so amazing! Dr. Sieber and his team members are very responsible, and he is really skilled and specialized in liposuction. I am very satisfied with the results! The recovery of these surgeries are also not that bad, especially for the neck and chin lipo, it’s not painful to me.
Chang G.
Ideal Candidate
There are many types of liposuction patients as this procedure can be used alone or in conjunction with other surgical procedures. Still, most patients who are good candidates for liposuction:
- Are in good physical health
- Do not have serious ongoing medical issues
- Are not more than 10 to 15 lbs. from their ideal weight
- Want to reduce small amounts of excess fat and recontour their shape
- Have firm, elastic skin
- Have overall good muscle tone
Remember that liposuction is a cosmetic procedure for fat removal, but it is not a weight loss treatment, nor does it target loose skin. Only limited amounts of excess fat can be removed with this surgery.
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Technique
Every liposuction surgical procedure is different, but most patients can expect the following steps during their surgery:
- Dr. Sieber will begin by making markings on your body to use as a guide during surgery.
- In the operating room, a solution containing a numbing agent with epinephrine will be injected near the fatty deposits.
- Dr. Sieber will make several small incisions in the target area.
- A cannula will be inserted to remove excess fat cells. During most liposuction procedures, Vaser ultrasonic energy is used to liquify fat cells prior to removal.
- Once the excess fat has been removed with power-assisted liposuction, the incisions will be closed with dissolvable sutures.
Dr. Sieber’s experience, training, and expertise helps to reduce the risk of complications during liposuction. Unlike other plastic surgeons, Dr. Sieber aims to contour and shape the body through liposuction — not just remove the stubborn excess fat and end the procedure there.
Preparation
As with all major surgical procedures, preparation is key. Several weeks prior to any plastic surgery, including liposuction, you may need to:
- Stop all medications and supplements that might increase your risk of bleeding (check with your doctor beforehand)
- Stop smoking and vaping
- Focus on consuming a healthy diet (aim for 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight daily)
Recovery From Liposuction
Most patients experience a quick recovery after liposuction surgery. Here’s what you can expect while you are healing.
First, you will be placed in a foam vest and compression suit to help reduce the accumulation of fluid beneath the skin where fat was removed. The vest and compression suit must be worn 24 hours a day for the first month. After that, the foam vest can be removed, and a tighter compression is to be worn for 12 hours a day (day or night) for another two months.
You will have two drainage tubes (one in front and one in back), which will be removed seven to 10 days after surgery. All patients should start receiving lymphatic drainage massages starting the day after surgery.
Common symptoms after traditional surgical liposuction include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Minimal pain (controllable with medication)
Most patients are ready to return to work within five to seven days, particularly those who work desk jobs. It may take three to six months for all swelling to resolve completely.*
Liposuction San Francisco Cost
Cost of liposuction in San Francisco Bay Area: What San Francisco patients will pay for liposuction will vary from patient to patient. Typically, we go to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) for baseline cosmetic surgery costs.
However, additional factors, such as the following, will also be considered when looking at San Francisco liposuction cost:
- Fees charged by your surgeon. More qualified surgeons have a better track record when it comes to the outcomes of their surgeries. They will also typically charge more for their services.
- Fees charged by anesthesiologists (and costs associated with anesthesia). Some practices will offer patients a range of options when it comes to anesthesia and who administers it. Naturally, more anesthesia and a more-qualified anesthesiologist means a higher liposuction cost.
- Surgical facility fees. The cost of liposuction will differ depending on where you have your surgery (hospital, in-office, etc.).
- Extent of surgery. More intense liposuction on multiple parts of the body will increase the overall cost of liposuction procedures.
Lastly, remember that the cost liposuction requires in San Francisco will automatically be higher than in smaller cities and less-populated states. Surgery is always more expensive where the cost of living is higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
View our before-and-after photo galleries to see the results our liposuction patients have achieved.
Is liposuction the same as a tummy tuck?
Both procedures can help to create a flatter and more toned stomach. However, liposuction simply removes unwanted abdominal fat, and a tummy tuck removes excess skin and, if necessary, repairs abdominal muscles.
What areas of my body can be improved with liposuction? *
Virtually any area of the body with stubborn fatty deposits can be reshaped and contoured through liposuction. The most commonly liposuctioned areas are the abdomen, thighs, arms, back, chest, neck, and love handles.
How much does liposuction cost?
Each treatment plan is uniquely created for each patient, including which areas of the body to target and how much fat to remove, so it’s necessary to meet with Dr. Sieber for an in-person examination to receive an accurate price quote. Call for pricing.
What choices will I have to make before surgery?
Your biggest decision will be regarding where on your body you’d like to eliminate stubborn fat, keeping in mind multiple areas can be targeted at once. At your consultation, Dr. Sieber will also discuss which of the two main types of liposuction would be best for you: traditional liposuction or VASER-assisted liposuction.
Can you get liposuction under local anesthesia?
There are a lot of surgeons who advertise liposuction under local anesthetic. These procedures are often called fun sculpting, air sculpting etc. All of these types of liposuction typically result in a poor aesthetic result. Dr. Sieber tends to see a lot of patients who’ve undergone these types of liposuction only to be displeased with the amount of fat removed and their end results.
How common are liposuction complications?
The most common complications after surgery are seroma (fluid collections), hyperpigmentation, contour irregularities, and fibrosis. These can happen for a variety of reasons and may be due to a patient’s own course of healing, not following post-operative protocols, or due to surgeon technique.
Complications can happen with any surgeon, so you’ll want to choose a surgeon who can minimize the risk of complications as much as possible. The three things that help minimize complications the most are training, experience, and post-operative protocols. Dr. Sieber’s experience, training, and expertise help to reduce the risk of complications as much as possible. Dr. Sieber adheres to an extremely regimented post-operative protocol as well, which not only helps patients heal faster, but also minimizes any associated risks.
Is liposuction meant for weight loss?
Liposuction is not a procedure designed for weight loss. It’s a body-contouring procedure to remove stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. Despite the fact that the procedure targets pockets of fat, most patients do not lose significant amounts of weight from this procedure.
Are overweight individuals good candidates for liposuction?
For individuals who are slightly overweight (within 5 to 10 pounds of their ideal weight), liposuction can help in smoothing out certain areas of the body that don’t respond to regular exercise or healthy eating. However, those who are more than 10 to 15 pounds overweight are not ideal liposuction candidates, and they should consider attempting to lose additional excess fat before seeking liposuction.
What happens if I gain weight after surgery?
Gaining weight after surgery will not look good. In order to maintain the optimal look that you and Dr. Sieber worked to achieve through liposuction, it’s best to eat healthy and exercise regularly. Maintaining a weight within 5 to 10 lbs. is very important for the best long-term outcomes.
At the same time, it is possible to gain a significant amount of weight and have that fat not go directly to the areas treated with liposuction. Instead, in most cases, the fat you’d gain would be distributed proportionally to the new shape of your body. In other words, while you would likely get larger due to a large weight gain, the overall shape should remain.
How permanent is liposuction?
Liposuction permanently removes fat cells. So long as you maintain your weight through a healthy diet and exercising regularly, the shape achieved by your liposuction should remain.
How long after liposuction can you see results?
In patients having liposuction for the first time, final results will be seen in 3 to 6 months. Patients who have had previous CoolSculpting and/or previous liposuction might need to wait 6 to 12 months to see their final results. These patients may also require additional massages and/or more time wearing the foam vest for better compression.
Can you see scars from liposuction?
Modern liposuction procedures use tiny incisions and very thin instruments to remove fat from specific, targeted areas. The appearance of the scars after surgery depends on several factors, such as genetics, surgical technique, and incision care. Although liposuction incisions are usually less than 1cm, Dr. Sieber takes care to place the incisions in the most inconspicuous areas on the body as possible.
What can I do to get the best lipo results?
Patients who have the best results after surgery adhere as closely as possible to the prescribed post-operative protocols. Simply follow these protocols. Each one is specifically designed to not only minimize complications, but to also maximize healing.
When patients wear poorly fitting garments or do not get massages, they tend to get more fibrosis and poor aesthetic results. Dr. Sieber also recommends a good diet and exercise regimen after surgery. Patients who get in even better shape after liposuction end up with even better results.
Contact Sieber Plastic Surgery
For traditional or high definition liposuction, please contact Sieber Plastic Surgery in San Francisco. Double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber would be happy to discuss your liposuction goals with you — as well as all aspects of the procedure and what course of action will best suit your needs.
To schedule your San Francisco liposuction consultation, call 415-915-9000.
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.
