Koch & Carlisle Plastic Surgery & Spa
4855 Mills Civic Parkway #100
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Phone: (515) 277-5555
Monday–Friday: 8:15 a.m.–5 p.m.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Carlisle performs liposuction in West Des Moines, Iowa, to help men and women from Ankeny, Ames, Davenport, and beyond tone their frustrating trouble spots. Most people who have liposuction are generally satisfied with their body weight but want to fine-tune certain areas where excess fat tends to accumulate.
Liposuction/ Fat Transfer/ Brazilian Butt Lift
Before & After Photos
WARNING:
This feature contains nudity. Please click OK to confirm you are at least 18 years of age and are not offended by such material.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure in which a plastic surgeon uses a tube called a cannula to suction out stubborn fat and create more attractive contours. Treatment areas commonly include:
Abdomen
Thighs
Hips (Flanks)
Arms
CoolSculpting® Elite is a nonsurgical fat reduction treatment that reduces areas of fat using controlled cooling. While there are no incisions or recovery time, the results are not as dramatic as liposuction.
Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck – Which Is Right for You?
While both liposuction and tummy tuck surgery are body contouring procedures, they provide distinct benefits. Here is a comparison.
Liposuction Benefits
- Removes areas of excess fat
- Contours the waist and hips
Tummy Tuck Benefits
- Removes lax skin
- Repairs separated ab muscles
- Reshapes the bellybutton
For comprehensive body contouring, Dr. Carlisle often combines liposuction with tummy tucks.
Commonly Combined Procedures
While liposuction provides satisfying results on its own, Dr. Carlisle often uses it to enhance the results of other procedures, including:
- Mommy makeover surgery, which rejuvenates the breasts and body after pregnancy and breastfeeding, often includes a combination of liposuction, a tummy tuck, breast enhancement surgery such as breast augmentation or a breast lift, and labiaplasty.
- Tummy tuck surgery can include liposuction to sculpt the waist and flanks.
- Male breast reduction may reduce chest fullness and sculpt masculine contours with liposuction.
Drs. Brenton and Cody Koch also perform facial liposuction to reduce stubborn fat on the face and neck.
Who Is a Candidate for Liposuction?
You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you are a generally healthy nonsmoker who is at your near your goal weight. It is important to note that liposuction is not a weight loss treatment but rather a complement to a healthy lifestyle.
Can Liposuction Improve the Look of Cellulite?
Liposuction is strictly a fat removal procedure; it can actually make cellulite more noticeable in some patients. Cellulite is caused by fibrous bands, also called septa, that tether the skin to the underlying structures, causing dimples on the surface. Avéli® is a minimally invasive cellulite treatment that releases the fibrous bands, allowing the skin to smooth out. Dr. Carlisle can combine it with liposuction or perform it on its own depending on your needs and cosmetic goals.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost in Des Moines, IA?
The price of liposuction at our West Des Moines plastic surgery practice varies from person to person depending on the size and number of treatment areas and other factors. After discussing your concerns and goals in depth, we will provide you with a personalized price quote.
What Is Liposuction Recovery Like?
You will return home from surgery with compression wraps/garments on treated areas to minimize swelling and help smooth contours form during the healing process. Patients typically manage any discomfort with prescription pain medication initially and then switch to over-the-counter pain medication.
Liposuction Recovery Timeline
While recovery varies between treated areas and with individual patient factors, it generally progresses along the following timeline:
- Day of surgery: Return home in the care of an adult friend or loved one.
- 1 week: Resume non-strenuous work and activities.
- 2 to 3 weeks: Swelling and bruising decrease.
- 3+ weeks: Ready to stop wearing compression garments (when cleared by Dr. Carlisle).
- 4 to 6 weeks: Resume your regular exercise routine.
- 3 to 6 months: See final results.
Before surgery, we will give you specific post-op instructions that you will need to follow closely. Reach out to our office with any questions or concerns.
What Do Liposuction Scars Look Like?
Liposuction scars are typically very small and inconspicuous. Over time, they will fade into thin, light lines hidden in natural body creases whenever possible. We offer scar reduction therapies to help your scars fade as effectively as possible.
Liposuction FAQ
What’s the best nonsurgical alternative to liposuction?
Several nonsurgical fat reduction treatments are available today. We offer CoolSculpting because it is FDA-cleared and scientifically proven to reduce body fat.
Is the surgery painful?
Targeted areas of fat are infused with a tumescent solution before surgery that contains an anesthetic to minimize discomfort. After liposuction, patients typically have the most intense discomfort the first few days after surgery; it subsides significantly over the following weeks. Discomfort varies with the area treated and individual patient factors.
How long do I have to wear a compression garment following liposuction surgery?
Expect to wear the garment at all times for about 3 weeks (except when showering). Doing so provides a variety of benefits, including:
- Minimizing swelling by preventing fluid from building up.
- Reducing discomfort by providing consistent support to treated areas.
- Optimizing results by helping the skin adhere properly to the underlying tissues.
The area treated and your rate of healing may affect how long you wear your compression garment. Dr. Carlisle will let you know when you’re cleared to stop wearing it.
How many pounds of fat can liposuction remove?
Weight loss is usually not significant after liposuction; however, most patients look like they’ve lost weight because fat is removed from the areas that bother them.
How long will my results last?
Your improved contours will last indefinitely if you follow a healthy lifestyle, maintain your weight, and don’t become pregnant. The aging process will continue, so you may have skin laxity at some point in the future.
Can liposuction really flatten my stomach?
Liposuction can flatten a belly bulge due to excess fat, but it is not an overall weight loss procedure. It cannot flatten a protruding belly caused by diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles).
Your Consultation
If you would like to discuss your liposuction options with Dr. Carlisle, please call (515) 277-5555 or request a consultation online. Our West Des Moines practice welcomes people interested in liposuction from throughout Ankeny, Urbandale, and the Davenport area.