After working hard through diet and exercise to drop a significant amount of weight, it is disheartening when those last few pounds of excess fat just will not budge. Unfortunately, the fat cells in certain areas of the body resist shrinking no matter how much an individual goes to the gym.
Liposuction, commonly referred to as lipo, is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to remove stubborn pockets of fat from specific areas of the body, helping to achieve a more sculpted and contoured appearance.1 Despite efforts with diet and exercise, some areas of fat can be resistant, and liposuction offers a targeted solution to these problem areas.
During the procedure, a small cannula is inserted through tiny incisions to gently suction out excess fat cells, allowing for precise body contouring. Liposuction can be performed on various parts of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, and chin, among others. Dr. Esmailian utilizes advanced techniques to ensure natural-looking, harmonious results for his patients. This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia in his accredited surgical facility.
It's important to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure or a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Rather, it is a body sculpting technique designed for patients who are already at or near their ideal body weight but struggle with localized fat deposits that resist diet and exercise.
I am 26 years old and recently had a tummy tuck and liposuction with Dr. Esmailian. I have 1 daughter and had stretch marks and loose skin. Dr. Esmailian was soooo awesome!!! Super nice and great at what he does. I am about one month out and already am so happy with my results. I would recommend Dr. Esmailian to everyone! I can't wait to wear a bikini again : ))) Thanks Dr. E ..... Also I wanted to mention that Dr. Esmailians staff was awesome. They made me feel very comfortable and were very knowledgeable about any questions that I had.
Today marks the one year anniversary since my tummy tuck and lipo so I feel it is appropriate to post it now. Dr. E is AMAZING! If you are on the fence about getting a surgery or maybe on the fence about going with him, do not hesitate! He and his staff will take care of you and he will do an awesome job. I am SO pleased with my results. I feel like a new woman...
Came to add another perfect review, because when I was initially doing research for a cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Esmailian had a perfect five star rating on Google! I am three days post op from surgery, and couldn't be happier with my results - and I'm also recovering so well!
There are several types of liposuction techniques, each one used for a slightly different purpose. Dr. Esmailian will discuss your options with you during your initial consultation and recommend the technique best suited to your needs.
Dr. Esmailian's extensive training and experience allow him to select the most appropriate technique—or combination of techniques—for each patient's unique needs.
As the most common form of liposuction, tumescent liposuction (traditional liposuction) can effectively reduce most fat deposits. Dr. Esmailian begins by injecting a sterile solution containing saline, lidocaine (a local anesthetic), and epinephrine (to minimize bleeding) into the treatment area. This solution causes the affected blood vessels to contract, minimizing blood loss during the procedure. It also causes the surrounding area to swell and firm up, making the unwanted fat easier to remove.
Dr. Esmailian then makes small, strategically placed incisions and inserts a thin cannula under the skin. This cannula is connected to a vacuum, allowing Dr. Esmailian to carefully remove fatty deposits in the treatment area while sculpting smooth, natural-looking contours.
Often performed in conjunction with tumescent liposuction, ultrasound-assisted liposuction (sometimes called Vaser Lipo) uses a specialized cannula that emits ultrasonic energy to liquefy fat cells prior to removal. With the assistance of ultrasound waves, the fat becomes easier to remove, particularly in fibrous areas such as the back or male chest.
In addition, the heat that this specially designed cannula emits may also be beneficial for skin tightening, helping to achieve smoother results in patients with mild skin laxity.
The cannula used in power-assisted liposuction moves rapidly back and forth across the treatment area, emulsifying the fat prior to removal. This makes it easier to address tough areas where the fat pockets are especially stubborn or dense. Power-assisted liposuction presents several advantages, such as:
Proper preparation is essential for ensuring the best possible results from your liposuction procedure. Before surgery, Dr. Esmailian will provide you with personalized pre-operative instructions tailored to your needs. This may include:
Important: Since liposuction is typically performed under general anesthesia, it's important to arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after surgery and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours. For your safety, Dr. Esmailian requires that patients avoid public transportation or ride-sharing services like Uber after procedures involving anesthesia or sedation.
Your safety and well-being are his top priorities, and these preparations help ensure a smooth and successful liposuction experience.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Farbod Esmailian has performed countless liposuction procedures throughout his 26+ year career, giving him the knowledge and experience to help patients reach their cosmetic goals. He will consult with you at great length to map out a plan of attack, ensuring your satisfaction with your results. Patients consistently call Dr. Esmailian one of the best liposuction doctors Orange County has available.
Can liposuction be combined with other procedures?
How long does liposuction take?
Are there any risks with liposuction?
What happens if I gain weight after liposuction?
How long will my liposuction results last?
How much does liposuction cost in Orange County?
Is liposuction painful?
When will I see my liposuction results?
At Dr. Esmailian's state-of-the-art facility in Orange County, patients may choose to undergo liposuction in tandem with other body contouring procedures or cosmetic procedures. These may include a tummy tuck, upper arm lift, mommy makeover, breast augmentation, breast reduction, thigh lift, facelift, or neck lift. Combining procedures can be more cost-effective and allows patients to achieve comprehensive results with a single recovery period. Dr. Esmailian will discuss which combination of procedures is best suited to your goals during your consultation.
The length of a procedure depends on the number of areas that are being treated, and the method of lipo Dr. Esmailian is using. However, a patient should expect their procedure to last at least two hours. If you are also undergoing a tummy tuck or thigh lift, then you can expect your overall treatment time to be extended by several hours.
The length of a procedure depends on the number of areas that are being treated and the method of lipo Dr. Esmailian is using. However, a patient should expect their procedure to last at least one to two hours for a single area. Multiple areas may take 2-3 hours. If you are also undergoing a tummy tuck, thigh lift, or other complementary procedure, then you can expect your overall treatment time to be extended by several hours.
Although liposuction performed by Dr. Esmailian in Orange County is very safe and complications are rare, as with all surgical procedures, there are risks to consider. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, serious complications from liposuction are rare when performed by board-certified plastic surgeons in accredited facilities.
Potential risks include:
Dr. Esmailian will explain all the risks in more detail during your private consultation and takes every precaution to minimize complications. His accredited surgical facility, experienced surgical team, and meticulous technique all contribute to excellent safety outcomes. His complication rates are consistently below national averages.
Many people believe that since fat cells are removed from a specific region of the body during lipo, weight gain will not affect them. However, this is not entirely true. Even though there are fewer fat cells in the treated areas, the fat cells that remain can expand if you gain weight. Additionally, weight gain can cause fat to accumulate in untreated areas, potentially creating new problem areas.
To ensure that patients enjoy their liposculpture results for a very long time, Dr. Esmailian recommends maintaining your weight following liposuction through regular exercise and a balanced diet. Liposuction provides an excellent foundation for a slimmer, more contoured physique, but long-term results depend on your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Studies show that patients who maintain a stable weight within 5-10 pounds of their post-procedure weight enjoy their results for decades.
The results achieved through lipo are usually permanent, as the fat cells removed during the procedure do not regenerate. When a patient has good skin elasticity, they can expect the skin to gradually retract and conform to the new, slimmer contours. However, patients who do not have skin with good elasticity may need to undergo another procedure to remove excess skin, such as a tummy tuck or body lift.
Dr. Esmailian thoroughly reviews every aspect of your anatomy before he begins planning your lipo procedure. He does this to ensure that his patients have accurate expectations about their outcomes and understand what is realistically achievable.
The cost of liposuction is unique to each patient's treatment plan, which is customized to suit their unique anatomy and goals. Factors that influence the cost include:
Flexible payment plans and third-party financing are available to make treatment more affordable.
You will receive a detailed breakdown of the cost of your liposuction procedure following your consultation with Dr. Esmailian. His team can also discuss financing options to help make your procedure more affordable.
During the procedure, you will be under anesthesia and will not feel any pain. After surgery, it is normal to experience some discomfort, soreness, and tenderness in the treated areas. Most patients describe the sensation as similar to muscle soreness after an intense workout, rating their pain as 3-5 out of 10 on the pain scale during the first few days.
Dr. Esmailian will prescribe pain medication to keep you comfortable during the first few days of recovery. Most patients find that discomfort is manageable and decreases significantly within the first week. By day 5-7, many patients transition to over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen.
You will notice an immediate improvement in your body contours after surgery, though swelling will obscure your final results initially. As swelling subsides over the following weeks and months, your new shape will become increasingly apparent.
The timeline can vary based on the extent of treatment, individual healing factors, and adherence to post-operative instructions.
Page updated: November 13, 2025
