Liposuction

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that can remove excess fat from different areas of the body. It is not an alternative to weight loss, but it works to improve and define bodily contours.

Dr. Gaby Doumit is board-certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is one of Canada’s leading plastic and cosmetic surgeons and has helped patients of all shapes and sizes achieve spectacular results. Dr. Doumit’s work on liposuction surgery has even appeared in plastic surgery journals and textbooks! He is one of the few surgeons in Montréal who offers SMART LIPO (Laser-Assisted Liposuction) and he is the only surgeon in Montréal who offers the latest SMART LIPO technology with the option of cellulite treatment. Dr. Doumit also performs tumescent liposuction and power-assisted liposuction.

If you would like to explore the body-sculpting possibilities that liposuction can offer, then schedule a consultation with Dr. Doumit to plan your treatment. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our Montréal office at (514) 932-8200. Our staff of experts are happy to answer any questions you have.

Before and After Photos

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About Liposuction

Liposuction can sculpt and contour the body to create a more proportionate appearance. Many individuals find themselves with pockets of fat that do not budge despite diet and exercise efforts, making liposuction an appealing option for those seeking body contouring solutions. ⁽¹⁾

Liposuction removes localized areas of fat like those on the neck, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and more using a thin suction tube known as a cannula.

Common areas amenable to liposuction may be known by their colloquial or more technical terms: turkey waddle (neck), love handles (flanks), saddle bags (hips), and banana roll (buttocks). Each person’s body has unique characteristics, and liposuction provides a tailored approach to help sculpt these areas effectively.

Benefits

Patients often seek liposuction when they want to achieve a slimmer figure or enhance their confidence. When patients receive a tailored liposuction treatment from Dr. Doumit, they typically experience:

Candidates

Ideal candidates for liposuction are healthy women or men of a stable weight with good skin elasticity. These candidates often experience localized areas of fat that are resistant to exercise and diet. ⁽¹⁾ Liposuction cannot be used as a replacement for major weight loss, but many weight loss patients will receive a liposuction treatment to sculpt more stubborn fat deposits. ⁽¹⁾

Men experiencing gynecomastia, or significant breast tissue, may also seek out liposuction to create a more masculine chest.

Liposuction is not an effective treatment for patients with loose skin. In some cases, it can help improve the appearance of cellulite but it will not fully cure it. It can be helpful to form healthy dieting and exercise habits to maintain results after the procedure.

Personal Consultation

During a consultation appointment with Dr. Doumit, you will get the chance to explain your goals and motivations. Dr. Doumit will examine the areas you want to address or sculpt with liposuction, and he will let you know if any other treatments would be beneficial for you. Once Dr. Doumit has collected the necessary information, he will create a customized plan.

Preparation

While liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure, we still recommend following some key preparation steps to optimize your results. These may include:

Procedure

New liposuction methods and technologies are developed each year. However, Dr. Doumit only offers the procedures and treatments that are FDA- and Health Canada-approved and clinically proven to be effective.

Dr. Doumit performs liposuction on an outpatient basis under local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia alone is reserved for smaller areas of liposuction, but all patients will receive local anesthetic at their treatment sites to maximize their comfort. ⁽²⁾ Small (3-4 mm), discreet incisions will be placed around the treatment area. A tumescent solution of lidocaine, saline, and epinephrine is injected into the treatment area to help expand the fat, making it easier to remove. Using a small tube attached to a suction device, Dr. Doumit gently breaks up and removes the excess fat. ⁽²⁾

At the end of the procedure, one dissolving suture is placed in each incision and a compression garment is applied. The procedure will last one to two hours, but it may take longer if several areas are treated.

Dr. Doumit performs several different types of liposuction.

Standard Liposuction (SAL) – Tumescent Technique

During this type of liposuction, the tumescent solution is applied to the localized fat deposits once incisions are made. Causing the fat to swell and absorb fluid with tumescent liposuction makes it much easier to remove, as this decreases its viscosity. It also results in less bleeding, less bruising, and improved postoperative comfort. ⁽²⁾

Most cases of liposuction remove up to 5 liters of fat. In these cases, the liposuction procedure is performed as a same-day procedure and the patient will return home that day. In cases of large-volume liposuction (more than 5 liters of fat removed), an overnight stay is recommended.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL)

During this procedure, Dr. Doumit inserts a specialized cannula that produces ultrasound energy at its tip. This ultrasound energy uses rapid vibrations to dislodge and emulsify the fat internally. ⁽²⁾ After this, standard liposuction is used to efficiently remove the fat from the body. This technique is especially helpful for addressing fat that is fibrous and more difficult to remove with standard liposuction alone.

Recovery

After the liposuction procedure, mild swelling and discomfort is expected for a few days. Bruising is expected to last after liposuction for 2-3 weeks. You will most likely leave the operating room wearing a compression garment. It is recommended you wear the compression garment continuously for 2 to 4 weeks after your procedure to help diminish swelling, accelerate your recovery, and promote a flat and firm body contour.

You will be able to shower the day after surgery and you can return to work within a week. Occasionally, when a large amount of fat is removed from a specific area, Dr. Doumit might place drains beneath the skin. Skin numbness is common for a few weeks after surgery, but this will fade relatively quickly; this will subside as well.

Results

While patients are often able to see results right away, it takes approximately 3 months for all swelling to subside and for the full outcome of liposuction to become apparent. The results of liposuction can be long-lasting–the removed fat cells cannot return–as long as you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Liposuction treatments have a high patient satisfaction rate, and Dr. Doumit’s patients are regularly happy with the results of their procedures.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Liposuction can be performed on different areas of the body or alongside other procedures such as facelift, breast reduction, or tummy tuck to achieve even more prominent body contouring results. For example, many patients, especially those who have undergone massive weight loss, are left with excess skin around their abdomen in addition to stubborn pockets of fat. A combined tummy tuck and liposuction treatment can effectively contour the figure to create a more defined figure that helps the weight loss journey feel more complete.

Cost of Liposuction in Montréal

The cost of Dr. Doumit’s liposuction treatments is between $4000-7000 per anatomic zone. This depends on the scale of the procedure, your goals, how much fat is being removed, and other factors. When you meet with Dr. Doumit for your consultation, you will receive a cost estimate for your treatment.

If you have any questions about payment, procedures, pricing, or more, then please call our Montréal office at (514) 932-8200 and get the information you need.

FAQ

References

1. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
2. Wu S, Coombs DM, Gurunian R. Liposuction: Concepts, safety, and techniques in body-contouring surgery. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2020;87(6):367-375. doi:https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.87a.19097