Abdominal Liposuction

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, CA

Abdominal liposuction is a cosmetic surgery that involves removing stubborn pockets of excess fat from the abdomen. Both men and women disproportionately accumulate fat in the upper and lower abdomen, waistline, and flanks. Love handles, muffin tops, beer bellies – all of these descriptions are the result of over-accumulation of fat in areas that are extremely difficult to address with diet and exercise.

A top liposuction surgeon in Beverly Hills & Los Angeles, Dr. Sean Younai has performed thousands of liposuction procedures throughout his many years of practice. He is committed to achieving patients’ beauty goals with the most innovative techniques available. 

For more information, call (818) 386-1222 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

Before and After Photos

Liposuction Abdomen Medium Before & After Patient #13983
Liposuction Abdomen Medium Before & After Patient #5509
Liposuction Abdomen Medium Before & After Patient #5514
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About Abdominal Liposuction

Avoiding mirrors and wearing uncomfortable clothes is an unfortunate way of life for many men and women. Dr. Younai sees many patients who are slim and trim except for the stubborn belly fat that won’t budge, or those annoying bulges at the waistline. When diet and exercise fail to eliminate stubborn body fat, many people consider abdominal liposuction. It is a surefire method for getting rid of pockets of fat in the abdomen, and it is one of the most common areas of treatment for liposuction procedures. (1) 

Dr. Younai’s method of choice is tumescent liposuction, due to its record of safety, patient comfort, and the fabulous results he is able to obtain. The introduction of this method of liposuction in 1985 caused a paradigm shift in the whole field of liposuction. Prior to this, liposuction required a general anesthetic and was quite risky due to the amount of blood loss that patients experienced. Tumescent liposuction is performed under a local anesthetic which allows patients to recover much faster than when a general anesthetic is used. It involves a surgeon treating the fat that is being targeted for removal with a solution of epinephrine and lidocaine. This solution makes the removal of fat cells easier on the patient’s body and allows the surgeon more control and precision. (2) This technique has the benefit of providing long lasting anesthetic results as well as reducing the swelling and bruising that was formerly associated with liposuction procedures. 

Benefits of Abdominal Liposuction

Dr. Younai sees many patients who are slim and trim except for the stubborn belly fat that won’t budge, or those annoying bulges at the waistline.

Abdominal liposuction can provide immediate improvement in the midsection and has the easiest recovery of many liposuction procedures. This is particularly good news for women who have had children and want to return to their pre-pregnancy shape without being incapacitated for several weeks. Other benefits include:

  • Getting rid of fat that refuses to burn off from diet and exercise
  • A slimmer silhouette and improved contours
  • Obtaining a more youthful and fit look
  • Removing stubborn fat cells permanently
  • Increased confidence and boosted self-esteem
  • Wearing clothes that accentuate your new and improved figure

Who is a Candidate for Abdominal Liposuction?

Abdominal liposuction works best for patients who are already at their ideal weight but struggle to get rid of that last bit of fat in the tummy area. It is not a weight loss solution, and it will not treat any of the health concerns that excess weight may cause. You should also have healthy skin laxity, as removing fat will create a lack of volume in your abdomen that your skin will have to reform itself to. If your skin cannot do this, you will be left with excess skin and the potential for sagging. 

It is possible to combine elements of a tummy tuck with your abdominal liposuction procedure. This would involve making incisions to remove the skin that would otherwise remain in excess from liposuction alone. For those considering a tummy tuck but aren’t sure if this is the right choice, abdominal liposuction is an easier approach and may provide exactly what you’re looking for. 

To be considered eligible for abdominal liposuction, you should be in good health. Surgery of any type is intense for the body, and you need to be able to heal and recover if you want to enjoy the results. And as always, a healthy diet and consistent exercise are the keys to remaining beautiful and feeling good. 

Personal Consultation

At your personal consultation, we will address any questions or curiosities you have about abdominal liposuction. We will ask you some questions about your medical history, as well as run some tests to assess your current bill of health. Come prepared to answer questions about your past prescriptions, pregnancies, surgeries, and conditions. We will examine your abdomen, and pinpoint the pockets of fat that are affecting your appearance. Together with a discussion about your aesthetic desires, we can use the information we gather to plan a personalized procedure for you. If you are a good candidate, and you are ready to take the next step, we will schedule your surgery. To arrange your personal consultation, call (818) 386-1222 or fill out this form.

Preparation

Preparing for your abdominal liposuction is a crucial step in the process. With proper preparation, you can do everything in your power to make your procedure as safe and successful as possible. To help, we will give you personalized instructions for how you can best prepare, based on the information that you provide at your personal consultation. These instructions may include changes to your medicine intake and activities to avoid. Before any surgery, you should avoid blood-thinning substances like ibuprofen and certain herbal supplements. You should also avoid consuming alcohol and smoking tobacco products. The longer you avoid these substances before your surgery, the less likely they will affect your ability to heal. 

This procedure will require some downtime, so you should take some time off work. You can prepare your home for recovery by placing everything you will need within reach. Lastly, don’t forget to schedule a ride from our facilities on the day of your surgery, as you will not be able to drive yourself home. 

Abdominal Liposuction Procedure

We perform abdominal liposuction on an outpatient basis, which means you will be able to go home the same day as your surgery. When you arrive on the day of your procedure, Dr. Younai will mark the areas to be treated while you stand to observe how you carry the excess fat. Once he has marked the areas, we will prepare you for treatment, administering local anesthesia with IV sedation to guarantee your comfort.

Dr. Younai will begin by injecting the tumescent solution under your skin to prepare the fat for removal. This fluid causes the area to become solid which enables Dr. Younai to gently remove excess fat and contour the remaining fat. The additional benefit of the infused fluid is that it restricts the capillaries which almost eliminates blood loss and provides a long lasting anesthetic. He will then make small incisions in various areas around the abdomen so that he can use a cannula, a thin tube-like tool, to further break up the fat and remove it with suction. 

When the surgery is complete, we will place a compression garment around your abdomen. Under the garment, we will place absorbent pads on each incision. This is to allow the tumescent fluid to drain over the next few days. Leaving the 1/4” incisions open for drainage significantly reduces bruising and swelling.

Recovery

Most patients compare the discomfort they feel after abdominal liposuction to the soreness that comes with a strenuous workout. There is usually some nausea associated with liposuction recovery, but this can be easily addressed with medication. Tylenol is usually enough to alleviate any pain after the anesthesia wears off.

During your downtime, you will not be restricted from walking or gentle exercise. We recommend standing and walking as much as possible to assist in fluid drainage and healing. The compression garment can come off after about two days so that you can shower, but you must put it back on and wear it constantly for several weeks. This ensures proper adhesion of the skin to the underlying tissue and the new contours formed by Dr. Younai.

Results

The results can be seen almost immediately after abdominal liposuction, though there will be some swelling as the healing process continues. The results will continue to improve as the healing process continues and the swelling goes down. It will take about 4 months before the healing process is fully completed, but your slimmer tummy and netter-defined waistline will be evident within a few weeks. Abdominal liposuction is permanent, as the fat cells that have been removed will never come back. However, the fat cells that remain in your midsection will still be liable to grow and shrink based on your lifestyle, so maintaining a steady weight will be essential to upholding your results. 

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

Dr. Younai offers procedures that can work alongside and in addition to your abdominal liposuction. These procedures can be incorporated into your procedure or performed as separate procedures to bring you closer to your beauty goals.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that can address excess fat and sagging skin in the abdominal area. It removes excess fat and skin from the midsection and tightens the abdominal muscles. It can make the abdomen firmer and fitter, and provide a slimming contour to the silhouette.

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift is a cosmetic procedure that can reduce sagging and overhanging skin on the inner and outer thigh, as well as remove excess fat. It involves a surgeon making incisions around the thighs in order to remove excess skin, fat, and tissue. This procedure can provide more athletic-looking and trim legs that will help to accentuate the curvature of your figure. 

How Much Does Abdominal Liposuction Cost in Los Angeles?

Each liposuction procedure is unique to the patient. Therefore, a personal consultation with Dr. Younai is required, after which we will provide you with a cost estimate. To find out more about abdominal liposuction in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, call (818) 386-1222 or visit our contact page.

FAQ

Does abdominal liposuction leave visible scars?

The incisions that are necessary for liposuction are very small, and so leave negligible scarring. They are technically visible, though they will fade over time. 

Is abdominal liposuction permanent?

Yes, abdominal liposuction is permanent. Once the fat cells have been removed, they are gone for good. However, the remaining fat cells can still grow and shrink, so a consistent diet and exercise regime will be necessary to maintain the aesthetic results. 

References

  1. Pollack SV. LIPOSUCTION OF THE ABDOMEN. Dermatologic Clinics. 1999;17(4):823-834. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0733-8635(05)70131-5 
  2. Pitman GH, Aker JS, Tripp ZD. Tumescent liposuction. A surgeon’s perspective. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 1996;23(4):633-641; discussion 642-645. Accessed January 17, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8906394/