Sculpted Liposuction

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Kansas City, MO

Liposuction, or “sculpted liposuction,” as we call it, is a minimally invasive body-contouring procedure that can remove unwanted deposits of fatty tissue from around the body. (1) Many patients often struggle with concerns such as “belly fat,” “love handles,” “back rolls,” and more, often leading to insecurities. Liposuction can safely and effectively remove this stubborn fat with ease, allowing you to regain both your contours and sense of confidence.

Dr. Hannah Vargas is a board-certified surgeon at Vargas Face & Skin Center who has national recognition for her years of expertise and transformative yet natural-looking results.

To start working with Dr. Vargas, please schedule a consultation online or call (913) 381-4900.

Before

After

About Liposuction

Liposuction, formally suction-assisted lipectomy, is a minimally invasive body contouring procedure that can help you achieve more defined curves and contours. Dr. Vargas uses the tumescent-based method, which is designed for smaller volumes. The procedure uses a specialized solution and a suctioning cannula to target and remove diet-resistant fat, leaving your body more slender and toned. Liposuction is one of the most common surgical cosmetic procedures worldwide, with surgeons performing more than 345,000 procedures in the U.S. in 2024 alone. (2)

Benefits

Liposuction offers numerous transformative benefits, including:

  • Effective Fat Removal: Liposuction’s primary benefit is its ability to break down and remove stubborn deposits of fat from around the body.
  • Enhanced Contours: Dr. Vargas can perform this procedure to enhance your natural figure and frame, creating a more slender and toned appearance.
  • More Balanced Figure: Eliminating excess fat from around your body can improve your proportions and enhance the harmony between certain features.
  • Elevated Confidence: Many patients express improvements in their self-esteem after seeing their results, potentially leading to a greater sense of overall body positivity.
  • Versatile Application: Liposuction can address concerns on nearly any part of the body, with patients typically choosing to improve the chin, neck, upper arms, abdomen, thighs, and more. This procedure can also pair with others to further refine and complement results. (3)
  • Personalized Surgical Plan: Dr. Vargas tailors every surgical plan around the individual, ensuring tailored results that align with their desired aesthetic.
  • Safer Techniques: Dr. Vargas performs awake liposuction, which means that you will be conscious, yet relaxed throughout the entire procedure. Bypassing the negative side effects of general anesthesia also makes for a more reliable procedure, as well as a potentially quicker recovery.
  • Long-lasting Results: The results of your liposuction treatment can last for several years, especially when you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle habits.
  • Broadened Clothing Options: After your procedure, you may notice improvements in the way your clothes fit or feel.

Candidates

You may be a suitable candidate for liposuction if you have been struggling to reduce unwanted deposits of fat through dieting and exercise. Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure, not a weight loss treatment. This means that if you have recently lost weight, you will need to reach a stable and maintainable weight. It is also important that you possess good skin elasticity, as this is what will help your skin retract after the procedure.

If you are interested in liposuction, you should be in good overall health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. You should either be nonsmoking or willing to quit using nicotine. During your consultation, Dr. Vargas will evaluate your medical history and anatomy to determine your candidacy.

Personal Consultation

The first step to resculpting your silhouette is attending a personal consultation with Dr. Vargas. During this consultation, she will meet with you individually to discuss your medical history, concerns, and treatment goals. She will also perform a physical evaluation to assess your areas of concern, as well as your general anatomy.

Dr. Vargas will use this information to finalize your candidacy and create your surgical plan. She will recommend the most effective techniques for your case, and she may suggest additional procedures, depending on your desired results. She will also answer any questions you may have about your procedure, ensuring you feel confident and informed.

To schedule your consultation, please contact us online or call our Prairie Village location at (913) 381-4900.

Preparation

Once you decide to proceed with your procedure, you will receive a set of detailed pre-operative instructions to help you prepare. These instructions may include:

  • Discontinuing the use of blood-thinning medications and supplements.
  • Ceasing nicotine use and alcohol consumption in the weeks leading up to your procedure.
  • Arranging transportation home from your appointment.
  • Taking time away from your career and other commitments.

By following each of these instructions, you can ensure a safe and successful procedure.

Procedure

When you arrive at our office, we will cleanse and sterilize your skin in a private treatment room. We will also use local anesthesia to ensure your comfort before starting your procedure.

Dr. Vargas will place several tiny incisions around the predetermined treatment area. After this, she will inject a tumescent solution composed of lidocaine, saline, and epinephrine into the fatty tissues. This solution helps further numb the area, minimize bleeding, and swell the fat cells for easier removal. (1) Dr. Vargas will then insert a thin cannula into the treatment area and move it back and forth. While this motion breaks down fat, gentle suction will pull the fat from your body, leaving it more sculpted and toned.

Recovery

After your procedure, it is common to experience swelling, discomfort, or bruising around the treated areas. These effects are temporary and will dissipate on their own, but you can also manage them with plenty of rest and a cold compress. You may need to wear a compression garment as you recover. This garment will help to minimize further swelling and maintain your new curves as you heal.

You may be able to return to your career and other activities after resting for several days to weeks; however, you will need to continue avoiding any strenuous or physically demanding activities until Dr. Vargas clears you to return.

She will also provide you with a full set of post-operative instructions to ensure you understand how to care for your incisions, manage any side effects, and navigate your activity restrictions.

Results

The results of your procedure can vary depending on the areas Dr. Vargas treats and the amount of fat she removes, but you can expect to experience significant improvements in your aesthetic appearance. Your contours may appear more sculpted and defined, and your figure may look more proportionate and balanced. Many patients also report improvements in their confidence and body positivity.

The results of liposuction are generally permanent, as your fat cells cannot return after removal. However, fluctuations in weight can affect your long-term results, making it essential to maintain healthy lifestyle habits.

Corresponding Procedures

Facial Fat Grafting

Dr. Vargas can add other procedures to your surgical plan to complement the results of your liposuction procedure, one of which is facial fat grafting. Facial fat grafting is a surgical procedure that takes fat from other areas of the body and transfers it to your face to restore volume and enhance its overall appearance. Dr. Vargas can purify the fat your liposuction procedure pulls and reinject it into your face, allowing you to look as youthful on the outside as you feel on the inside.

To learn more about the other procedures that Dr. Vargas can perform, please read her blog!

Cost of Liposuction in Prairie Village, Kansas

The cost of your liposuction procedure will vary depending on the details of your treatment plan. Dr. Vargas considers several factors, including the size of the treatment area, the amount of fat to remove, whether you undergo any additional procedures, and more. After establishing these details during your consultation, you will receive a comprehensive cost estimate for your procedure.

To learn more about the cost of your liposuction procedure, please schedule a consultation online or call our Prairie Village location at (913) 381-4900.

FAQ

What areas of the body can liposuction treat?

Liposuction can address concerns on almost any part of the body where there is an adequate amount of fat, including the face, neck, chest, arms, legs, abdomen, breasts, buttocks, and more.

How much fat can you remove during my liposuction treatment?

The amount of fat Dr. Vargas removes will vary depending on the size of the treatment area and your desired results. Typically, liposuction removes no more than 5 liters of fat, but this can vary depending on your specific anatomy and goals. Dr. Vargas typically removes smaller volumes with the tumescent technique.

How long will the results of liposuction last?

The results of liposuction are generally permanent, as your fat cells cannot return after removal. However, you will need to maintain a stable weight to preserve your results, as the surrounding fat cells can continue to swell.

Can I combine liposuction with another procedure?

Liposuction can pair with many other procedures as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan. For more information on combined treatments, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Vargas.

Are there any risks to receiving liposuction?

There are certain risks with every surgical procedure, no matter how subtle or significant your corrections are. A few of the risks of liposuction include uneven results, infection, bleeding, poor scarring, dissatisfaction with results, and more. Dr. Vargas will discuss each of these risks and how to avoid them during your consultation.

References

  1. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
  2. ASPS. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner; 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
  3. 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