Liposuction in Sarasota, FL
Reshape the Areas That Don't Respond to Effort
Liposuction removes fat from specific places using a thin tube and gentle suction. It's a contouring operation, not a weight loss one, and that distinction matters more than anything else on this page. Liposuction changes your shape. It doesn't change the number on a scale much, and it isn't a treatment for being overweight.
What it does well is the pocket of fat that stays put no matter how consistent you are. Those deposits are largely determined by genetics, and no amount of diet or exercise reliably targets one area. That's the problem liposuction actually solves.
Dr. Alissa Shulman has been a board-certified plastic surgeon since 2002 and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S.). She has practiced since 2000 and has been in Sarasota since 2009. She also does high volume fat grafting, which means the fat she removes can often be reused somewhere you'd rather have it. Request an appointment and she'll tell you honestly what liposuction would and wouldn't change.
How the Procedure Works
Understand What Liposuction Removes and What It Can't
Dr. Shulman makes small incisions, then uses a narrow tube called a cannula to loosen and suction fat from the layer just beneath your skin. Fat cells removed this way don't grow back, though the ones remaining elsewhere can still enlarge if you gain weight. Liposuction won't tighten loose skin, remove cellulite, or correct separated abdominal muscles. If any of those is your actual concern, a different procedure is the answer, and she'll say so.
Abdominal and Stomach Contouring
Target the Midsection Most Patients Ask About First
The abdomen is the most commonly requested area. Stomach and abdominal liposuction removes fat from the upper and lower belly and the waist. It works best when your skin still has good tone. If your skin is loose or your abdominal muscles have separated after pregnancy, a tummy tuck addresses what liposuction can't.
Thigh and Hip Contouring
Reshape the Lower Body Proportionally
Thigh and hip liposuction treats the outer thighs, inner thighs, and hips, which are among the most stubborn areas for women and the least responsive to exercise. Dr. Shulman treats these areas as a proportion problem rather than a volume problem, aiming for a silhouette that reads as balanced rather than simply smaller.
Other Areas She Treats
Address the Back, Flanks, and Underarm Area
Liposuction also works well on the back, the flanks, and the area near the armpit where a bra band can create a bulge. These are smaller treatments that often make a bigger difference to how clothing fits than patients expect. Ask about them at your consultation if they're on your mind.
Putting the Fat to Use
Move Fat Somewhere You Actually Want It
Because Dr. Shulman specializes in fat grafting, the fat removed during liposuction can often be purified and placed elsewhere in the same operation. Patients use it to add breast volume without an implant, restore fullness after implant removal, or correct a contour dent. One operation, two results.
After Significant Weight Loss
Know When Contouring Comes After the Weight
If you've lost a significant amount of weight, whether through diet, surgery, or weight loss medication, liposuction alone may not be the right tool. Substantial weight loss usually leaves loose skin, and removing more fat from beneath loose skin can make it hang further. Body contouring procedures that remove skin are usually the better route. Dr. Shulman will tell you which category you're in rather than selling you the smaller operation.
