Liposuction

Liposuction in Northern Virginia

Many people find themselves frustrated with unsightly body fat, even after maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Unfortunately, unwanted fatty tissue can accumulate almost anywhere on your body, adversely affecting your self-esteem. Liposuction is a moderately invasive procedure that extracts fat to give you improved contours.

While her association with McLean Plastic Surgery is new, Dr. Erica Anderson is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. As her practice evolves, Dr. Anderson has created a welcoming setting where she can continue helping patients by offering unsurpassed results with outstanding patient care. Dr. Anderson has helped many patients transform through liposuction and other body contouring procedures in Northern Virginia.

Are you interested in learning what liposuction surgery can do for you? Contact us at (703) 893-1111 or complete our online form to schedule your liposuction consultation today! We are in McLean, VA, and proudly serve patients from Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

Liposuction Before & After

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Real Patient Results

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction surgically removes unwelcome localized fat pockets to restore smooth, shapely physical contours. Since there are limits to how much fat Dr. Anderson can safely remove, this procedure is best for people who have already reached a healthy body weight but continue to struggle with stubborn fat. 

As a versatile procedure, liposuction can stand alone or combine with other procedures for comprehensive benefits. The most common areas for liposuction include:

  • Abdomen
  • Flanks or love handles
  • Outer or inner thighs
  • Ankles
  • Breasts
  • Calves
  • Chin (submental)
  • Hips
  • Outer or inner thighs
  • Upper arms

Liposuction Techniques

Advancements in liposuction have led to multiple techniques for optimizing results. During your consultation, Dr. Anderson will recommend the most appropriate method for you. Dr. Anderson uses primarily power-assisted liposuction. She has used and is very familiar with all technology but in her vast experience, PAL produces the best results. 

Tumescent liposuction: One of the oldest and most common approaches, tumescent liposuction involves injecting a sterile solution containing saline, epinephrine, and an anesthetic to minimize pain, decrease blood loss, and facilitate fat removal. Dr. Anderson makes tiny incisions to insert the cannula underneath the skin to extract the desired fat.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction: UAL uses a specialized cannula that emits ultrasound energy underneath the skin and breaks down cell walls, liquefying them for easier extraction.

Laser-assisted liposuction: LAL uses a device to deliver high-intensity energy waves underneath the skin through small incisions. This laser energy liquefies fatty deposits for easier extraction and helps tighten the skin.

Power-assisted liposuction: PAL uses a vibrating cannula to separate fat cells and release them from the surrounding tissues. The device efficiently breaks up and removes the fat cells with less trauma, allowing for a quicker recovery with reduced bruising and swelling.

Choosing Dr. Anderson as Your Northern Virginia Liposuction Surgeon

Dr. Anderson is an experienced, board-certified female plastic surgeon specializing in breast and body procedures. She’s worked in academic and private settings over the last two decades, providing outstanding results and exemplary care for her many satisfied patients. By opening her office at McLean Plastic Surgery, Dr. Anderson wants to use her knowledge and experience in a more personalized, welcoming setting where she can offer unparalleled care. 

Dr. Anderson enjoys getting to know her patients, listening to their concerns and desires, and providing results they will love for years. As an expert on body contouring procedures, she can empathize with the needs of her patients seeking body enhancements, making her your choice as one of the best liposuction surgeons in Northern Virginia.

Dr. Anderson is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. She and her spouse, a cardiac surgeon, have four children and a Vizsla. She enjoys staying active with CrossFit.

Meet McLean's Breast and Body Specialist

Explore your transformative cosmetic surgery options available from board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Erica Anderson. As a breast and body contouring specialist, Dr. Anderson combines extensive knowledge of anatomy with her unparalleled passion for patient care. Schedule your consultation with one of the best plastic surgeons in Northern Virginia today.

Your Liposuction Consultation With Dr. Anderson in McLean, VA

As one of the few female plastic surgeons in Northern Virginia, Dr. Anderson offers liposuction to deliver results that will help you achieve your long-term aesthetic goals. In a small, intimate office setting, Dr. Anderson will ask questions to tailor your procedural plan to your anatomy and lifestyle.

Dr. Anderson will discuss your medical history and current medications, perform a physical examination to evaluate your skin quality, and review your surgical options, including the best technique for your goals.

Am I an Ideal Candidate for Liposuction?

The best candidates for Northern Virginia liposuction procedures are in good overall health and within their target weight range, but remain unhappy with stubborn fatty tissue. Candidates should have firm, elastic skin to avoid the complications of sagging or loose skin after the procedure. Liposuction is best suited for a younger patient with good skin tone. It is not a technique that can be used for weight reduction. 

If you are interested in liposuction, you should: 

  • Live a healthy lifestyle
  • Maintain a stable body weight
  • Be a non-smoker or be willing to quit at least six weeks before and after surgery
  • Not be pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have no medical conditions that impair healing
  • Have a positive outlook and realistic goals
  • Understand the risks and benefits

Though liposuction supplements your nutrition and fitness goals, it is not a substitute for them. The procedure is also not ideal for addressing cellulite, stretch marks,  sagging skin, or obesity. 

Preparing for Northern Virginia Liposuction Surgery

You must be in good overall health before any liposuction procedure. Here’s general information to help you prepare.

  • Avoid weight fluctuations by maintaining a consistent exercise regimen and well-rounded diet. Eat healthy, nutritious meals with plenty of protein for an optimal recovery.
  • Remain well-hydrated before and after surgery.
  • Ensure you’re medically fit for surgery by seeing your primary physician for a full examination and appropriate testing, such as bloodwork or an EKG.
  • Avoid medications, supplements, or vitamins that increase bleeding or bruising risks for at least two weeks before and after surgery.
  • If you currently smoke, vape, or use nicotine products, you should quit. Smoking is detrimental to your recovery, so Dr. Anderson requires patients to stop smoking at least six weeks before and after surgery.
  • Take ample time off work, purchase necessary supplies, fill pain medication prescriptions, freeze meals for easy preparation, and create a clean, comfortable resting place.
  • Ask a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after your procedure. 
  • Arrange for assistance with household management or child care.

Liposuction Procedure Overview

On the day of your procedure, you’ll arrive at a fully accredited surgery center approximately an hour before your scheduled surgery. You will meet Dr. Anderson and your anesthesia provider to review your surgery details and ask any final questions you may have.

Dr. Anderson will make tiny incisions concealed within your natural skin creases. Then, she will insert a cannula attached to a suction device to loosen and extract fat. Finally, she will dress your incisions with bandages and a compression garment to minimize swelling and support your new contours.  Depending on the extent of your procedure, liposuction may last for two to three hours.

Accompanying Procedures

Adding liposuction to a combination surgical plan can enhance the following procedures:

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Real Patient Results

Liposuction Recovery in Northern Virginia

Liposuction procedures are outpatient surgeries. You can go home the same day with a responsible adult to drive you. Following liposuction, we’ll fit you with a compression garment to minimize swelling and support your new contours. Depending on the extent of your procedure, you may need to wear this garment for several weeks.

Expect to experience swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness. These effects will gradually subside. Dr. Anderson will prescribe pain medications to minimize your discomfort. The length of your liposuction recovery depends on your specific procedural plan. Typically, patients need one week off work for initial recovery. Dr. Anderson recommends getting plenty of rest and avoiding strenuous activities, such as exercise or heavy lifting, for several weeks. You can resume light  walks within a few days, gradually build up to more challenging workouts.

How Soon Will I See My Liposuction Results?

You may notice dramatic results to your overall silhouette immediately following surgery. However, residual swelling and bruising may obscure your eventual outcome for several months. You will experience permanent results from your Northern Virginia liposuction by maintaining your healthy diet and exercise regimen. While the fat cells extracted via liposuction do not grow back, the remaining fat cells can still respond to weight fluctuations, which may change your shape. 

Enhance Your Figure
boost your confidence

View our gallery to see Dr. Anderson’s outstanding results

How Much Does Northern Virginia Liposuction Cost?

Liposuction costs vary depending on your goals and the technique you choose to use. Dr. Anderson will create a personalized surgical plan and estimate your liposuction cost during your consultation. Health insurers do not cover elective surgeries like liposuction. However, Dr. Anderson will gladly review financing options with you as part of your consultation.

Schedule Your Northern Virginia Liposuction Consultation Today

Reducing unwanted fat can enhance your silhouette and improve your confidence when you partner with body contouring specialist Dr. Anderson, one of the best liposuction surgeons in Northern Virginia.

Learn more about liposuction in Northern Virginia by calling (703) 893-1111 or completing our online form to schedule your consultation today!

Liposuction FAQs in Mclean, VA

Liposuction is a relatively simple procedure with small incisions and a fairly easy recovery. Most return to work in 4 to 5 days or even sooner. There are few restrictions.

Your results after Liposuction should last as long as you maintain a healthy weight. However, the skin will continue to age, and laxity will become an issue later in life.

No liposuction does not cause it to grow in other areas. But if you gain weight, you have proportionally more fat cells in areas not liposuctioned, so you may notice weight gain more readily.

Liposuction is painful. It feels like deep bruising in the areas treated.

You should sleep in whatever position you are most comfortable with. Getting rest is important to your recovery.

Liposuction removes fat with large tubes through small incisions. It removes only fat, while a tummy tuck removes fat as well as skin.

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