Some areas hold onto fat no matter how well you eat or how often you exercise. For many people, it is the lower belly, the flanks, or the outer thighs. Liposuction removes that fat directly. That is why it is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Farbod Esmailian performs Liposuction in Orange County for patients from Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Long Beach. He plans each procedure around your proportions, so your results look natural on your frame.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction, often called lipo, removes fat through a thin tube called a cannula, inserted through tiny incisions. It treats localized pockets of fat in people who are near a healthy weight, not excess weight overall. Patients who want to refine one or two areas are often the best fit.

Dr. Esmailian commonly treats:

  • Abdomen and waist
  • Flanks, often called love handles
  • Hips and outer thighs
  • Inner thighs
  • Back and bra line
  • Upper arms
  • Chin and neck

How Does Liposuction Work?

Dr. Esmailian performs Liposuction under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility. Most procedures take one to three hours, depending on how many areas he treats.

He begins by filling the treatment area with a fluid that numbs the tissue, limits bleeding, and loosens the fat. He then makes small incisions in natural creases or low-visibility spots. Through them, he moves the cannula in controlled passes to remove fat and smooth the transitions.

For dense or fibrous areas, such as the back and flanks, Dr. Esmailian may use ultrasound-assisted or power-assisted techniques. He chooses the approach based on your tissue, the area, and your skin quality.

The device matters less than the judgment behind it. A natural result depends on how much fat to leave, where to blend the edges, and when to stop.

Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

You may be a strong candidate if you:

  • Are in good general health
  • Are at or near a weight you can maintain
  • Are bothered by specific fat deposits rather than your overall size
  • Have skin with enough elasticity to tighten smoothly over a slimmer contour
  • Do not smoke, or are willing to stop before and after surgery

Skin quality matters as much as fat. Firm, elastic skin reshapes best, while skin stretched by pregnancy, weight loss, or aging may not tighten well. In that case, removing fat can make loose skin more visible.

Dr. Esmailian may instead recommend a Tummy Tuck to tighten skin and muscle together. For post-pregnancy changes, a Mommy Makeover combines several procedures in one plan. Loose skin on the arms or thighs often responds better to an Arm Lift or Thigh Lift.

Dr. Esmailian usually asks patients who are still losing weight or planning a pregnancy to wait. Dr. Esmailian examines your skin quality, fat thickness, and any asymmetry in person, because a photo cannot show these details.

Is Liposuction Safe?

Liposuction has a strong safety record when a board-certified plastic surgeon performs it. In a study of 4,534 patients, 1.5 percent had a complication after surgery.

Most side effects are temporary and part of normal healing. Common side effects include:

  • Swelling and bruising
  • Numbness or changes in skin sensation
  • Fluid buildup under the skin
  • Uneven contours or asymmetry

Dr. Esmailian reviews every risk with you during your consultation, including any that relate to your health history.

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Is Liposuction Permanent?

For the treated area, yes. The fat cells removed during Liposuction are gone for good. The fat cells that remain can still grow if you gain weight, so fat can come back over time.

A stable weight is what protects your results. That is why Dr. Esmailian asks patients to reach a weight they can maintain before surgery. Afterward, regular exercise, balanced meals, and good sleep help preserve your Liposuction results for years. Individual results vary.

How Long Does Liposuction Recovery Take?

Many patients walk the same day and return to desk work within three to five days. Treating more areas can mean a longer recovery. You will wear a compression garment, typically for about six weeks, to support the tissue as it settles.

Expect soreness, bruising, and swelling during the first one to two weeks. Light activity usually resumes around two weeks. Strenuous exercise typically resumes at four to six weeks, once Dr. Esmailian clears you.

Swelling is why patience matters. It fades in gradual stages, so early changes appear within a few weeks. Your final shape continues to refine over three to six months.

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What Do Liposuction Results Look Like?

Real results are the clearest way to see what Liposuction can do. Browse the Liposuction before and after gallery to see Dr. Esmailian's work across different body types and treatment areas.

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Why Choose Dr. Esmailian for Liposuction?

Dr. Farbod Esmailian is a board-certified plastic surgeon with 26+ years of surgical experience and a RealSelf Top 100 Plastic Surgeon. For you, that experience shows up in the details: smooth transitions, natural proportions, and results that suit your body.

Farbod Esmailian, M.D. is a solo practice, so you work with Dr. Esmailian from start to finish. He evaluates you in consultation, marks you before surgery, performs your procedure, and sees you at every follow-up. No one else takes over your care.

He also gives you a straight answer. If Liposuction is not the right fit, or if staging procedures would be safer, he will tell you. Patients frequently mention that he takes time to answer every question.

What Else Do Patients Ask About Liposuction?

How much does Liposuction cost?

Does insurance cover Liposuction?

Does Liposuction hurt?

Does Liposuction leave scars?

How much weight can you lose with Liposuction?

Does Liposuction get rid of cellulite?

What is the difference between Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck?

Can the fat removed during Liposuction be used somewhere else?

How much does Liposuction cost?

Cost depends on the number of areas treated, the complexity of your plan, and whether you combine procedures. Dr. Esmailian provides a personalized quote after examining you. Financing is available through CareCredit®, Alphaeon®, and United Medical Credit for patients who qualify.

Does insurance cover Liposuction?

No. Liposuction for cosmetic body contouring is an elective procedure, so insurance does not cover it.

Does Liposuction hurt?

You will be under general anesthesia, so you will not feel the procedure. Afterward, many patients compare the soreness to the day after an intense workout. Dr. Esmailian prescribes medication for the first few days, and discomfort eases noticeably within the first week.

Does Liposuction leave scars?

Liposuction scars are small, because the incisions are about three to four millimeters long. Dr. Esmailian places them in natural creases or areas clothing covers. They tend to fade to small, faint marks over the following months.

How much weight can you lose with Liposuction?

Less than many patients expect. Liposuction is measured in contour, not pounds. Removing a stubborn pocket of fat can change how your clothes fit without moving the scale much. If your goal is significant weight loss, Dr. Esmailian will recommend reaching it before surgery.

Does Liposuction get rid of cellulite?

No. Liposuction removes fat beneath the skin, but it is not a cellulite treatment. In some cases, dimpling can look more noticeable after fat is removed. Dr. Esmailian will tell you what to expect based on your skin.

What is the difference between Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck?

Liposuction removes fat. A Tummy Tuck removes loose skin and repairs separated abdominal muscles. Liposuction uses incisions a few millimeters long, while a Tummy Tuck uses a longer incision placed low on the abdomen. Recovery from Liposuction is also shorter. Many patients combine the two for a more complete result.

Can the fat removed during Liposuction be used somewhere else?

Yes. Dr. Esmailian can purify fat removed during Liposuction and transfer it to add natural volume. Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation uses this approach to enhance the breasts without implants. Facial Fat Grafting uses the same technique to restore volume to the face.

What Do Patients Say About Dr. Esmailian?

Dr. Esmailian holds a 4.9-star rating across 101 Google reviews. He also holds 5.0 stars on both RealSelf (151+ reviews) and US News Health (327+ reviews).

"Despite my dedication to self-care, I've never been able to sculpt my body in areas where genetics, age, and pregnancy have created spots that just would not yield to diet and exercise... He listened with care to my concerns, worries, and (let's face it) fears about my lipo procedure, recovery, and outcomes. Dr. Esmailian took the time to thoughtfully explain my body contours and what would and would not be advisable. I sincerely appreciated his honesty... I am now 4 weeks post-op, and my results are honestly better than I expected."

C. M., Google Review

“Dr. Esmailian himself is extra special... He strikes me as a perfectionist and is hands-on for each and every appointment. I expected his staff to check my progress and remove tapes, as they seem too simple and time-consuming for his expertise, but he has been there each time, doing all the simple things too. It's very reassuring.”

Carin G., Google Review

“Dr. Esmailian is an absolutely incredible surgeon. The precision in his craft of creating the perfect shape of the body is far beyond what anyone would call a 'gifted surgeon.' I believe it's literally what he was born to do.”

Shelley C., Google Review

“To have such knowledge and professional care was such a relief after the anxiety of having surgery. I completely trusted Dr. Farbod and his expertise, and I'm so happy with my results. I appreciate the team didn't try to upsell at every opportunity and guided me to make my own decisions. 10/10, would recommend in a heartbeat.”

Lucy E., Google Review

Ready to Schedule Your Consultation?

Dr. Esmailian welcomes Liposuction patients from throughout Orange County, including Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Long Beach. A consultation is the best way to learn whether Liposuction can give you the result you picture.

Dr. Esmailian will examine the areas that concern you and assess your skin quality. He will explain what Liposuction can and cannot change, then build a plan around your goals.

Schedule a Consultation

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1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Plastic Surgery Statistics. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/plastic-surgery-statistics
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Liposuction. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction
3 Chow I, Alghoul MS, Khavanin N, et al. Is there a safe lipoaspirate volume? A risk assessment model of liposuction volume as a function of body mass index. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;136(3):474-483. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000001498
4 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the risks of liposuction? https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction/safety
5 Martin S. What to expect after liposuction: a look at recovery and results. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. June 25, 2019. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-to-expect-after-liposuction
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