Liposuction

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lake Forest, Glenview and Grayslake, IL

Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that removes stubborn deposits of fat from the body. (1) This procedure uses a thin, suctioning tube called a cannula to break down and remove the fat, leaving you with a smoother, more slender, and defined figure. Because of its effectiveness, liposuction is one of the most frequently performed aesthetic surgical procedures worldwide. (2)

At Northwestern Medicine, our team of board-certified surgeons is dedicated to helping patients throughout Illinois and beyond achieve their personal and aesthetic goals. At our practice, both Dr. Michael Howard and Dr. Chad Teven specialize in liposuction and can help you achieve your ideal look with ease.

To start working with our surgical team, please give us a call!

About Liposuction

Stubborn fat can accumulate in bothersome areas for numerous reasons, such as weight fluctuations, pregnancy, aging, genetics, and more. While some patients can contour their figure with dieting and exercise alone, many find it to be a more complex issue, especially when fat accumulates in harder-to-target places. Both Dr. Teven and Dr. Howard can perform liposuction to remove stubborn fat and restore your figure, allowing you to achieve definition and results that traditional methods simply cannot match.

Benefits

Liposuction offers several notable benefits, hence its widespread popularity. Some of the many benefits our patients experience include:

  • Refined Contours: Liposuction removes stubborn fat from around the body, allowing you to achieve smoother, more sculpted curves.
  • Better Fitting Clothing: Removing fat from certain areas of the body may help certain garments fit and feel more comfortable. This procedure may also empower you to wear clothing styles you may not have felt comfortable wearing previously.
  • Lasting Results: Liposuction yields long-lasting results, allowing you to enjoy your renewed appearance for years to come.
  • More Proportionate Silhouette: Your surgeon can strategically remove fat to help you achieve a more harmonious and balanced appearance across your body.
  • Versatile Treatment: This procedure can address almost any part of the body where fat is present, including your breasts, body, and several features across the face.
  • Customized Solutions: Our surgical team designs each surgical plan around your specific goals, concerns, and anatomy. This ensures personalized results that enhance your natural figure and frame.

Candidates

You may be a candidate for liposuction if you have been struggling to eliminate stubborn deposits of fat from around your body through traditional means, such as dieting or exercise. You should also have good skin elasticity, as this will help your skin conform to your renewed figure after removing fat.

If you are interested in undergoing liposuction, you should be in good overall health and maintain realistic expectations regarding the results of your procedure. You should be nonsmoking or willing to quit using nicotine. It is also important that you possess a stable and maintainable weight for at least 6-12 months before your procedure, as fluctuations can alter your long-term results. (1) Dr. Howard or Dr. Teven will finalize your candidacy during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

You will need to attend a one-on-one consultation with either Dr. Howard or Dr. Teven before proceeding with your liposuction procedure. During this consultation, they will meet with you to review your medical history, discuss your concerns, and evaluate your desired treatment areas. Using this information, they will determine whether liposuction is appropriate for you and create your customized treatment plan.

To schedule this consultation and receive your personalized surgical plan, please reach out to our office.

Preparation

Once you decide to proceed with your procedure, your surgeon will provide a detailed set of pre-operative instructions to help you prepare. Your instructions may vary depending on the details of your specific surgical plan, but following them closely will facilitate a quick and easy recovery. These might include:

  • Follow your surgeon’s instructions to stop taking blood-thinning medications and supplements.
  • Cease alcohol and nicotine consumption several weeks before your appointment and during your recovery.
  • Schedule time away from work and other commitments.
  • Arrange transportation home after your procedure in advance.

Procedure

Our anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout your treatment, although local anesthesia alone may be used for less extensive procedures. Your surgeon will place small incisions near the targeted treatment area before administering a tumescent solution into the fatty tissues. This solution contains epinephrine, lidocaine, and saline to constrict your blood vessels, numb your tissues, and swell your fat cells, making them easier to remove. (3)

They will then insert a thin cannula into the treatment area. Your surgeon will move the cannula back and forth to break down the fat deposits before gently suctioning them out.

Recovery

After liposuction, it is common to experience some swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the treated areas. These effects will gradually subside on their own, but you can also manage them with cold compresses, prescribed pain medications, and plenty of rest. During this time, your surgeon will also give you a specialized compression garment to wear. This garment will minimize swelling and protect your new curves as you heal.

You may return to your career and other commitments after about one to two weeks of rest. However, you will need to continue avoiding any physically demanding or strenuous activities for another several weeks, or until your surgeon clears you to return. Your surgeon will provide further instructions during your personal consultation.

Results

You may notice an immediate improvement in your figure after treatment, but the full results of your liposuction procedure will become more apparent as any residual swelling subsides.

Your figure will look more slender, contoured, and slim. You may also notice improvements in the overall proportions of your silhouette after addressing any asymmetry or unevenness.

Liposuction results are generally permanent. However, you must maintain a stable weight, as fluctuations may alter your results.

Corresponding Procedures

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a highly customized procedure that is aimed at restoring a woman’s pre-pregnancy figure. This procedure addresses many of the areas of the body that pregnancy affects, such as the breasts and abdomen.

At Northwestern Medicine, our surgical team typically performs a mommy makeover as a combination of any of the following procedures:

Cost of Liposuction in Chicago

The cost of your liposuction procedure can vary depending on the details of your surgical plan. Certain factors, such as the size of the treatment area, the amount of fat your surgeon removes, whether they perform any additional procedures, anesthesia fees, and more, all affect the final pricing. Once your surgeon finalizes a treatment plan, they will provide a comprehensive cost estimate for your procedure.

To schedule your consultation and learn more about the cost of your procedure, we encourage you to give us a call!

Plastic Surgery

Michael Howard, MD

Michael Howard, MD

Phone: (224) 271-4250

Fax: (224) 271-6920

Learn More

Plastic Surgery

Chad Teven, MD

Chad Teven, MD

Phone: (224) 271-4250

Fax: (224) 271-6920

Learn More

FAQ

Will liposuction help me lose weight?

Liposuction is not a weight loss method; rather, it is a body-contouring procedure. Interested patients should already possess a stable and maintainable weight to meet the candidacy requirements for this procedure.

Will there be significant scarring after my liposuction procedure?

Both Dr. Howard and Dr. Teven take great care to place each incision in a discreet or easily concealable location to help reduce visibility. Any scarring will also fade significantly throughout your recovery.

What parts of my body can liposuction address?

Liposuction can address any part of the body that has an adequate amount of stubborn fat. Many patients choose to resculpt areas such as their thighs, flanks, or abdomen.

Will fat return after liposuction?

After removing fat cells from your body, they cannot return. However, the surrounding fat cells can still swell up, making it imperative to adopt and maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle habits.

Can I combine liposuction with another procedure?

Yes, liposuction pairs very effectively with other treatments. We recommend scheduling a personal consultation with either Dr. Howard or Dr. Teven to determine what other procedures you may be a candidate for.

How long is the recovery period after liposuction?

Most patients can return to light activities within a few days, but full recovery and optimal results typically take several weeks. Your surgeon will provide a detailed plan based on the areas treated and your individual health.

Is liposuction painful?

During the procedure, anesthesia ensures you are comfortable and pain-free. Post-procedure discomfort is usually manageable with prescribed pain medications, and swelling or bruising will gradually subside during recovery.

Are the results of liposuction permanent?

Liposuction results are long-lasting if you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. Significant weight gain after the procedure can affect your results, so following post-operative care instructions is essential.

References

  1. Wu S, Coombs DM, Gurunian R. Liposuction: Concepts, safety, and techniques in body-contouring surgery. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2020;87(6):367-375. doi:https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.87a.19097
  2. ASPS. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner; 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
  3. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. Nih.gov. Published February 14, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/#article-112503.s4