Refined Results in a Setting Built for Safety

Liposuction is more than simply removing fat. It requires thoughtful planning, precise technique, and an artistic approach to creating smooth, natural-looking contours that complement the rest of your body.

Dr. Sepideh Saber, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs every procedure in our on-site, QUAD A-accredited Mission Viejo surgical facility. QUAD A accreditation reflects rigorous standards for patient safety, anesthesia, sterile technique, equipment, and facility oversight. At Orange County Surgical Specialists, our patients benefit from rigorous safety standards in a private, comfortable setting designed exclusively for outpatient surgery.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that permanently removes excess fat cells from targeted areas using specialized suction cannulas. While the treated fat cells do not return, liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure and is best suited for patients who are at or near a stable weight with localized fat deposits that have not responded to diet and exercise. In selected patients, liposuction may also be performed to reduce the excess fatty tissue associated with lipedema or to debulk localized areas when appropriate.

Common treatment areas include the abdomen, waist, flanks, back, arms, thighs, chin and neck, and other areas where localized fat persists despite diet and exercise. Liposuction is frequently performed as a standalone procedure but is also commonly combined with other body contouring procedures to further enhance overall balance and proportion. During your consultation, Dr. Saber will evaluate your skin quality, body proportions, and treatment goals to determine the areas that will provide the most harmonious result.

Woman touching her leg

Benefits of Liposuction

Liposuction does more than remove unwanted fat. When thoughtfully planned, it can reshape body contours, improve proportion, and enhance overall balance.

Common benefits include:

  • Permanent removal of fat cells from treated areas
  • Improved body contour and definition
  • Better proportion between different areas of the body
  • A slimmer, more sculpted appearance
  • Improved fit in clothing
  • Enhanced confidence in your appearance
  • Beautiful, natural-looking results designed to complement your body

Are You a Candidate for Liposuction?

A consultation is the best way to determine whether liposuction is right for you. Many patients are good candidates if they:

  • Have localized fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise
  • Are at or near a stable weight
  • Have good skin elasticity in the areas being treated
  • Are in good overall health and do not smoke, or are willing to stop before and after surgery
  • Understand that liposuction improves body contour rather than serving as a weight-loss procedure
  • Have realistic expectations about surgery, recovery, and results
Banner media

Why Choose Dr. Sepideh Saber?

Every liposuction procedure should be tailored to the individual, making experience, surgical judgment, and thoughtful planning essential to achieving an excellent result.

Dr. Saber is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Her education and training include Stanford University, the University of Southern California, and NYU Langone Health, providing a strong foundation in both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery.

Her approach is never one size fits all. Every recommendation, from treatment areas and contouring strategy to the amount of fat removed, begins with an unhurried consultation to understand what you hope to achieve, followed by a careful evaluation of your anatomy, skin quality, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Rather than simply removing fat, Dr. Saber approaches liposuction as a three-dimensional body contouring procedure, carefully creating smooth transitions, balanced proportions, and natural-looking contours that complement the rest of your body. The goal is always the same: to create results that look beautiful, natural, and proportionate to your body.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Surgery

Consultation and Cost

Your consultation includes:

  • A private discussion of your goals, treatment areas, body proportions, skin quality, and overall body contour
  • A comprehensive physical examination and individualized surgical recommendations
  • An opportunity to discuss expected results, recovery, and whether liposuction alone or in combination with other procedures will best achieve your goals
  • Discussion of the surgical procedure, expected recovery, potential risks, and benefits
  • Recommendations for any preoperative testing when appropriate
  • Personalized pricing based on your individualized surgical plan and treatment areas

Procedure

Liposuction may be performed under local anesthesia, deep sedation, or general anesthesia depending on the extent of treatment and your individualized surgical plan. After carefully marking the treatment areas, a tumescent solution is infiltrated to minimize bleeding, improve comfort, and facilitate fat removal. Through small, strategically placed incisions, specialized cannulas are used to remove excess fat while carefully sculpting smooth, natural transitions between treated and untreated areas. Every incision is carefully closed to promote optimal healing and help minimize visible scarring.

Recovery and Results

Most patients return to light daily activities within several days to one week, depending on the extent of treatment. Temporary swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness are expected and gradually improve over time. Compression garments are worn during the early healing period to help reduce swelling and support the new contours. Although noticeable improvement is seen within the first several weeks, swelling continues to resolve over the following months, and the final contours gradually become more defined.

Background media

Common Treatment Areas

Liposuction can be performed almost anywhere localized fat is resistant to diet and exercise. Common treatment areas include:

  • Chin and neck
  • Back of the neck ("buffalo hump" area)
  • Arms
  • Axilla (underarms)
  • Bra rolls
  • Upper and lower back
  • Upper and lower abdomen
  • Waist and flanks
  • Hips
  • Mons pubis (the soft tissue above the pubic area)
  • Inner and outer thighs
  • Knees
  • Calves

During your consultation, Dr. Saber will recommend the combination of treatment areas that will create the most balanced, natural-looking result.

Related Procedures

Many patients choose to combine liposuction with other body contouring procedures to further enhance their results. Liposuction is frequently combined with tummy tuck surgery to improve abdominal contour and waistline definition and is also commonly performed as part of a Mommy Makeover. Fat removed during liposuction may also be purified and transferred to other areas of the body, including the hips and buttocks during a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), the breasts for natural breast augmentation, or the face to restore youthful volume when appropriate. During your consultation, Dr. Saber will discuss whether combining procedures is safe and appropriate for your goals.

candle

Liposuction FAQs

Face of a woman

Is liposuction a weight-loss procedure?

No. Liposuction is designed to improve body contour rather than produce significant weight loss. The best candidates are patients who are already close to their ideal weight.

How much fat can be removed safely?

The amount of fat that can be safely removed depends on your anatomy, overall health, and the number of treatment areas. Dr. Saber will determine a safe amount during your consultation.

Does liposuction tighten loose skin?

Liposuction removes fat but does not significantly tighten loose skin. Patients with substantial skin laxity may benefit from a skin-tightening procedure, such as a tummy tuck or body lift, depending on the area being treated.

Will the fat come back after liposuction?

The fat cells removed during liposuction are permanently eliminated. However, significant weight gain can enlarge the remaining fat cells, making it important to maintain a stable weight after surgery.

How long do liposuction results last?

Liposuction results are long lasting when supported by a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. Future weight gain can affect your body contour over time.

Is liposuction painful?

Most patients experience mild to moderate soreness, bruising, and swelling after surgery, which are generally well managed with prescribed medication. Compression garments also help reduce swelling and improve comfort during recovery. Recovery is often easier than patients anticipate.

When can I exercise again?

Light walking is encouraged early to aid circulation. More intense exercise resumes only once Dr. Saber clears you, usually after several weeks.

Are liposuction scars noticeable?

Incisions are very small and placed discreetly, so scars are usually minimal. They tend to fade significantly as they heal.

Can liposuction be used to reverse a BBL?

Yes. In selected patients, liposuction can be used to reduce excess fat from the buttocks as part of a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) reversal or revision procedure. Whether BBL reversal with liposuction is appropriate depends on your anatomy, the amount and location of transferred fat, your skin quality, and your aesthetic goals. During your consultation, Dr. Saber will determine the safest and most effective approach for your individual situation.

Can liposuction be combined with other procedures?

Yes. Liposuction is frequently combined with tummy tuck surgery, breast surgery, or other body contouring procedures to create more comprehensive results. During your consultation, Dr. Saber will recommend the treatment plan that best fits your goals.

Marble background

Schedule Your Liposuction Consultation

Choosing to undergo liposuction is a personal decision, and selecting the right plastic surgeon can make all the difference. Dr. Saber and the team at Orange County Surgical Specialists combine board-certified expertise, an accredited surgical facility, and personalized care to help patients achieve beautiful, natural-looking results. Contact our Mission Viejo office today to schedule your consultation.

Contact us media

Schedule a Consultation

Reach out to begin your journey today.

Contact Us
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at (949) 888-0332.
Schedule Consultation