Liposuction
Conveniently located to serve the areas of New Bern, NC
Liposuction is a body-contouring treatment that uses specialized equipment to help break down and remove fat cells from the body. This treatment is ideal for individuals with stubborn deposits of fat that are resistant to lifestyle changes. This procedure has been the most popular and widely performed cosmetic procedure in the country for the past 3 years, seeing a 23% increase in procedures performed between 2019 and 2022, with another 7% rise in 2023. (1, 2)
Dr. John Zannis of Zannis Plastic Surgery is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. Throughout his many years as a professional, Dr. Zannis has mastered advanced techniques and won numerous awards, establishing himself as a pioneer in his field and training under world-renowned plastic surgeons. Having performed over ten thousand procedures, Dr. Zannis consistently delivers stunning results, helping each patient look and feel better in their skin.
To book your liposuction consultation with Dr. Zannis, please contact our New Bern office at (252) 633-1197 or fill out our appointment form, and a member of our team will reach out as soon as possible!
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Liposuction
Liposuction is a body sculpting procedure that can remove stubborn fat deposits found in the body. This treatment can help create a more toned and defined figure, restoring balance to each patient’s body proportions while preserving the surrounding tissue. Liposuction can be utilized in various parts of the body.
Our liposuction treatment is particularly effective at treating the following areas:
- Thighs
- Hips and buttocks
- Abdomen and waist
- Upper arms
- Back
- Inner knees
- Chest area
- Cheeks, chin, and neck
- Calves and ankles
Benefits of Liposuction
Liposuction can remove stubborn pockets of fat that do not respond to lifestyle changes such as exercise or dieting. Liposuction can also remove fatty tissue from the breasts to reduce their size during breast reduction. Breast reduction can help patients address conditions characterized by overly large breasts, known as macromastia in women or gynecomastia in men. (3)
The removal of the fat cells in the body can help increase each patient’s self-esteem as their figure becomes more proportional.
Give yourself the body you have always wanted with liposuction! To book your liposuction with Dr. Zannis, please contact our New Bern office at (252) 633-1197 or fill out our appointment form, and a member of our team will reach out as soon as possible.
Liposuction Candidates
Liposuction treatment is most effective for patients who are near their ideal body weight but are struggling to eliminate stubborn fat deposits with traditional lifestyle changes. Firmer, more elastic skin is ideal for this treatment since it can retract better. If you are a candidate for liposuction, you will need to have realistic expectations about what you can achieve with the treatment. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, but it can sculpt your figure to balance your proportions. Candidates interested in liposuction should be in good overall health and free from any underlying medical conditions that may impair their healing process or increase risks. Those who smoke should be prepared to stop smoking up to 4 weeks before their procedure and refrain from tobacco or nicotine use until fully healed. (4)
Preparation
All candidates interested in liposuction should be in overall good health and free of any underlying medical conditions that could impact the procedure. Dr. Zannis will provide each patient with a set of personalized instructions at their private consultation. This is to ensure each patient can properly prepare ahead of their liposuction appointment.
Patients should pre-arrange any time away from work or other social commitments they may need, with many patients also finding it helpful to arrange assistance for their first 24-48 hours of healing. Dr. Zannis may ask certain patients to temporarily cease the use of certain medications and supplements that may thin the blood, such as vitamin E, fish oil, and even aspirin. Patients should avoid alcohol in the weeks leading up to the procedure.
To learn how to properly prepare for liposuction, please contact our New Bern office at (252) 633-1197 or fill out our appointment form, and a team member will reach out as soon as possible!
Liposuction Procedure
We specialize in three common variations of the liposuction procedure at Zannis Plastic Surgery. The method Dr. Zannis uses for each patient will differ depending on their anatomy, preference, and desired contour. Each method offers unique benefits; Dr. Zannis can customize and tailor the procedure to target even the most stubborn treatment areas in each patient.
Tumescent Liposuction
The tumescent technique is one of the most standard liposuction techniques, incorporated into most liposuction procedures today. Dr. Zannis first injects the treatment area with a solution composed of saline, epinephrine, and either lidocaine or another local anesthetic. The anesthetic helps minimize discomfort, while the epinephrine limits any potential bleeding. (5) The solution helps swell the fat cells, making them easier to remove. Dr. Zannis will then insert a specialized tool known as a cannula. The cannula gently suctions up the fat cells, permanently eliminating them from the treatment area.
SmartLipo®
The SmartLipo® technique used in liposuction procedures is minimally invasive and utilizes cutting-edge laser energy to remove fat cells. The laser energy preserves the surrounding tissue and minimizes damage to the cells. (4) Not only does the laser liquefy fat before removal, but it can also stimulate the production of collagen in the body, leading to improved skin elasticity and tone. The SmartLipo technique is known to minimize the amount of swelling and bruising experienced during recovery, resulting in quicker healing compared to more traditional liposuction methods. This method is ideal for candidates interested in enhancing their curves without the use of a more aggressive method while also rebuilding the collagen in their body.
SAFELipo®
The SAFELipo® treatment method is a three-step liposuction treatment designed to leave patients with a smooth body contour. This technique uses specialized basket-tip cannulas that are designed to suction out fat in a gentler manner, avoiding any excessive damage to the surrounding tissue. (6)
To learn more about the best liposuction technique for you, please contact our New Bern office at (252) 633-1197 or fill out our appointment form, and a member of our team will reach out as soon as possible! To learn more about combining your liposuction treatment with another treatment, please read our blog.
Recovery
Patients should make certain that they are following any and all post-operative instructions given by Dr. Zannis or another member of our team to ensure a smooth recovery. Patients are likely to experience discomfort from soreness and bruising at the treatment site. This feeling has been reported to be similar to a muscle ache and can be managed with pain medications. Most patients may be asked to wear a compression garment for the first few days after the procedure to help protect and maintain their new figure.
Patients should refrain from physical activity, but light walking may be encouraged to help maintain circulation. Most patients can return to work after a week or two, but patients with more labor-intensive careers may need to wait until approved by Dr. Zannis to return.
Results
Patients will be able to experience the full results of their procedure about 2-6 months following their appointment. Once the targeted fat deposits are removed, they will not return, leaving patients with more contoured figures. Patients should still ensure they make the proper lifestyle choices to maintain the results of their liposuction procedure.
The Cost of Liposuction in New Bern
The cost of your treatment will depend on your personalized plan and whether or not you need additional treatments. Contact our office or call (252) 633-1197 to learn more about how we can enhance your figure with customizable liposuction treatments.
FAQ
Does liposuction help with weight loss?
No, liposuction is not designed for weight loss but focuses on removing localized fat deposits for body contouring purposes.
Are results from liposuction permanent?
Yes, the fat cells that your surgeon removes during the procedure do not return. However, maintaining a stable weight is important for maintaining results.
What happens if I gain weight after liposuction?
If weight is gained after liposuction, it may be distributed in other areas of the body, but the treated areas will generally remain smaller than they would have been without the procedure.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Procedural Statistics Data Insights Partners: 2022 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2022/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2022.pdf
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Bellini E, Grieco MP, Raposio E. A journey through liposuction and liposculture: Review. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2017;24:53-60. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2017.10.024
- Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
- Dhami LD. Liposuction. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery: Official Publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India. 2008;41(Suppl):S27. Accessed January 23, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2825130/
- Wall SH, Lee MR. Separation, Aspiration, and Fat Equalization. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2016;138(6):1192-1201. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000002808