Body Contouring
Permanently remove stubborn fat from the areas that resist diet and exercise.
Liposuction in Denver
If you eat well and stay active but still have pockets of fat that will not budge, liposuction is the procedure that removes them for good. Liposuction permanently removes fat cells from targeted areas of the body, like the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, and chin, to reshape and refine your contour. It is the most direct way to address localized fat that diet and exercise leave behind, and because the fat cells are gone, the result is long-lasting as long as your weight stays stable.
At his Denver practice, Dr. Jason Martin uses liposuction both on its own and combined with skin-tightening when loose skin is part of the picture. As a board-certified plastic surgeon who lectures on body-contouring technology, he matches the technique to your body and your goals.
At a Glance
These are typical starting points. Dr. Martin confirms the specifics for your treatment plan at your consultation.
Depending on the areas treated.
Depending on the extent of treatment.
Compression garment worn for 4 to 6 weeks.
Final result at 3 to 6 months as swelling resolves.
Treated areas stay slimmer with a stable weight.
Usually hidden in skin folds or natural creases.
A single small area at the low end; lipo 360 or multiple areas at the upper end.
The technique
Liposuction removes fat through small, hidden incisions using a thin tube called a cannula. Dr. Martin first injects a fluid that numbs the area and shrinks the blood vessels, which makes the procedure safer and reduces bruising. The cannula then loosens and suctions out the fat, sculpting the area into a smoother, slimmer shape.
What makes the result lasting is that the fat cells themselves are removed, not just emptied. Adults do not grow significant numbers of new fat cells, so the cells taken out during liposuction do not come back. If you gain weight later, it tends to distribute more evenly across your body rather than returning to the treated area.
Your options
Liposuction has advanced well beyond a single technique, and the right one depends on the area, the amount of fat, and whether your skin needs tightening too.
Tumescent liposuction is the well-established approach that works well across most areas.
It uses the numbing fluid described above to remove fat gently and precisely, and it remains the foundation of most liposuction procedures.
These technologies help remove fat more efficiently in denser or larger areas.
Power-assisted liposuction uses a vibrating cannula, and VASER uses ultrasound energy to loosen fat before removal, which can be useful for fibrous areas like the back or the male chest.
BodyTite is best when you have stubborn fat together with loose skin.
It uses radiofrequency energy to remove fat and tighten the skin at the same time, which standard liposuction does not do. Dr. Martin's background in radiofrequency contouring means he can combine the two in a single session when your skin needs the extra tightening.
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer comes down to your skin.
Liposuction removes fat but does little for loose skin, so it works best when your skin still has good elasticity. When there is significant loose skin or separated muscles, a tummy tuck gives a better result. Dr. Martin will tell you honestly which one your body calls for.
Treatment areas
Liposuction works almost anywhere stubborn fat collects. These are the areas Dr. Martin most commonly treats — and several can often be combined in a single session.
The most requested area — removes the stubborn lower-belly and waistline fat that diet and exercise leave behind.
The "love handles" along the sides of the waist — commonly treated together with the abdomen.
Slims and refines the contour of both the inner and outer thigh.
Reduces fullness in the upper arm for a slimmer, more defined shape.
Smooths the rolls of fat that can collect along the bra line and mid-back.
Reduces excess fat of the male chest, often as part of gynecomastia treatment.
Defines the jawline by removing the fat under the chin that blurs the neck.
Treats the abdomen, waist, and back together in one session for a contour improved all the way around.
Candidacy
You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you are at or near your goal weight, have localized pockets of stubborn fat, and have skin with good elasticity that will conform to the new contour. Good general health and realistic expectations matter, as they do for any procedure.
You are likely a good candidate if you:
There is a common myth worth clearing up: liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure and is not measured by a number on the scale. What matters is where your fat sits and the quality of your skin, not whether you fit a particular weight. Liposuction is also not a treatment for cellulite or loose skin. When skin laxity is part of your concern, BodyTite or a skin-removal surgery gives a better result, and Dr. Martin will say so at your consultation.
Experience & judgment
Dr. Martin approaches liposuction as a sculpting procedure, where the art is in the contour rather than simply the volume of fat removed. His experience with radiofrequency body contouring lets him combine fat removal with skin tightening when needed, which is an advantage for patients whose skin will not bounce back on its own.
What he brings to that work
The procedure, step by step
Liposuction is usually done as an outpatient procedure. The steps follow a consistent sequence:
while you are standing, so the contour is planned accurately, and anesthesia is given.
into the treatment area to reduce bleeding and discomfort.
and the cannula is used to loosen and suction the fat, sculpting the area evenly.
to support the area, control swelling, and help your skin settle into its new shape.
Recovery
Recovery from liposuction is usually quicker than from skin-removal surgery. The pattern below is typical; Dr. Martin gives you specific instructions for your case.
The first few days
Soreness, swelling, and bruising are normal and most noticeable early. Most people are up and moving the same day.
About 1 to 2 weeks
Many return to desk work, still wearing the compression garment, which is worn for about 4 to 6 weeks.
About 4 to 6 weeks
Exercise gradually resumes once Dr. Martin clears you.
Months
Swelling continues to settle, and your final, slimmer contour emerges over 3 to 6 months.
Swelling continues to settle, and your final, slimmer contour emerges over 3 to 6 months.
Investment
In Denver, liposuction generally runs from about $4,000 to $11,000, depending on the number and size of the areas treated, the technology used, the volume of fat removed, and anesthesia and facility fees. Treating a single small area costs less than addressing the abdomen, flanks, and back together in a lipo 360 session.
At your consultation you will receive a clear, itemized quote for your specific plan, and our team will walk you through financing options so the cost fits your budget.
Common questions
Liposuction in Denver generally runs from about $4,000 to $11,000, depending on how many areas you treat, the technology used, the volume of fat removed, and anesthesia and facility fees. Treating one area costs less than a lipo 360 session covering the whole midsection. You will receive an itemized quote for your specific plan at your consultation, with financing options available.
Yes. The fat cells removed during liposuction do not come back, since adults do not grow significant numbers of new fat cells. If you gain weight later, it tends to distribute more evenly across the body rather than returning to the treated area, so a stable weight keeps your results looking their best.
Liposuction is not a cellulite treatment. Cellulite is caused by fibrous bands beneath the skin, which liposuction does not address. Liposuction removes fat and refines your contour; if cellulite is your main concern, Dr. Martin can discuss treatments aimed specifically at it.
No. Liposuction removes localized pockets of stubborn fat and reshapes the body; it is not a way to lose a large amount of weight. The best candidates are at or near their goal weight, where liposuction refines areas that diet and exercise have not.
Lipo 360 refers to liposuction that treats the entire midsection, the abdomen, waist, and back, in a single session, so the contour is improved all the way around rather than just in front. It is a popular choice for patients who want a comprehensive waistline result.
The main reasons to wait are being well above your goal weight, having loose skin that needs removal rather than fat removal, smoking, or an uncontrolled health condition. Dr. Martin gives you a straight assessment of whether liposuction or another option fits your goals.
A smooth contour is the goal, and it depends heavily on the surgeon's technique and your skin's elasticity. When skin is firm, liposuction alone gives a smooth result; when skin is lax, adding a tightening treatment like BodyTite helps the skin conform evenly.
Begin
The best way to know whether liposuction is right for you is an exam with the surgeon who performs it. Dr. Martin will assess the areas you want treated and the quality of your skin, explain your options in plain terms, and build a plan around your goals. Take our virtual consultation to get started, or call our Denver office at (303) 321-1439 to schedule your visit.
(303) 321-1439