Liposuction in NYC

Page Content Authored by Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Rapaport

Liposuction remains the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States and one of the most popular procedures performed by New York plastic surgeon Dr. David Rapaport.

At Rapaport Plastic Surgery, I specialize in liposuction, a highly effective procedure designed to sculpt and refine your body by removing stubborn fat deposits. Unlike traditional weight-loss methods, liposuction allows for precise contouring, enhancing your natural shape with minimal downtime and scarring.

Request Information

Why Choose Dr. Rapaport for Your Liposuction?

Dr. Rapaport has performed liposuction in New York City for over 27 years and is considered among NYC’s best plastic surgeons.

Liposuction is the gold standard method to reduce excess fat and achieve a slimmer contour. Your fat cells are distributed throughout your body early in life, as determined by your genetics. Fat cells cannot migrate or multiply, and once they are removed, they cannot come back. Therefore, any contour improvement achieved with liposuction is a permanent improvement and will persist, even if a patient gains weight.

With years of experience performing liposuction, Dr. Rapaport understands the importance of precision, safety, and natural-looking results. His approach prioritizes your comfort and aesthetic goals while utilizing advanced techniques to minimize downtime and enhance your recovery experience.

Liposuction is an art that requires experience, skill, and a deep understanding of body anatomy. Every patient is unique, and Dr. Rapaport takes great care in assessing factors such as skin elasticity, fat distribution, and potential post-procedure laxity. He prioritizes providing realistic expectations and ensuring every patient achieves a beautifully contoured outcome.

Liposuction Results

  • BEFORE

    AFTER

  • BEFORE

    AFTER

  • BEFORE

  • AFTER

  • BEFORE

  • AFTER

View More Cases

*Individual results may vary.

Patients can typically see some slimming effects immediately after liposuction, but swelling may initially obscure the results. Final results are visible in a few months when all swelling has resolved.

Liposuction results are permanent since the fat cells that are removed will not return. However, the surrounding fat cells can still expand if you gain weight, so maintaining a stable weight is important for optimal results. Many patients feel more motivated to lead a healthy lifestyle after liposuction to maintain their new slim, contoured figure.

Learn More About Liposuction

Liposuction is best suited for individuals who maintain a stable weight but struggle with stubborn fat pockets, have good skin elasticity, and are looking for body contouring rather than a weight-loss solution.

Obese patients can have liposuction, but their expectations must be realistic in that it will not cure obesity but may improve particularly troublesome spots. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, though it often helps motivate patients to improve their diet and exercise patterns. It’s best thought of as a body contouring treatment.

Liposuction is perfect for individuals who:

  • Maintain a stable weight but struggle with localized fat deposits.
  • Have good skin elasticity to support smooth contours.
  • Seek body sculpting rather than a weight-loss solution

Understanding Different Fat Types

Not all fat is the same. Some patients have soft, buttery fat with minimal connective tissue, while others have dense, fibrous fat that may require additional techniques for effective removal. Recognizing these variations ensures that I tailor the procedure for the best possible results.

What Areas of the Body Can Liposuction Target?

Liposuction can effectively treat various areas, including:

  • Abdomen
  • Waist
  • Thighs
  • Hips
  • Upper arms
  • Chin
  • Neck
  • Back
  • Bra fat

These targeted areas help create a more balanced and sculpted look.

Enhancing Skin Tightening Post-Liposuction

Liposuction removes fat, but in some cases, additional skin tightening is necessary. I offer two cutting-edge solutions:

  • Renuvion (Helium Plasma & Radiofrequency): Stimulates collagen production to tighten tissues beneath the skin.
  • Softwave Therapy: Effectively tightens the skin without affecting fat, making it ideal for younger patients or those seeking minimal downtime.

Both treatments help prevent post-procedure skin laxity, ensuring a firmer, more contoured result.

Revision Liposuction

Dr. Rapaport regularly sees patients with irregularities and overcorrection deformities from procedures performed elsewhere and can often provide significant improvement. During a consultation for liposuction in New York City, Dr. Rapaport will perform a complete evaluation and honestly inform the patient as to what improvement he or she can reasonably expect.

Like many other surgical procedures, the quality of liposuction results depends on the plastic surgeon’s skills. Dr. Rapaport has performed liposculpture in NYC for over 27 years and has a consistent track record of excellent results. The key to excellent results is meticulous attention to the patient’s contour and extensive experience with the procedure.

“By far, the biggest problem I’ve seen with patients who come from elsewhere with suboptimal liposuction is overcorrection.”
– Dr. Rapaport

Not uncommonly, fat grafting (transplantation of fat cells from areas of excess to areas of relative deficiency) may be employed to help address overcorrection deformities. Now that real contouring can be achieved non-invasively with CoolSculpting®, Dr. Rapaport will also assess to what extent this non-surgical technique can improve contour irregularities caused by prior treatment.

During the past several years, various liposuction techniques and technologies have been developed. Many are advertised as “the next great thing” in liposuction. These include laser liposuction (SmartLipo), ultrasonic liposuction (UAL), power-assisted liposuction (PAL), and radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL, BodyTite).

Many of these liposuction technologies deploy heat into the fatty tissue, damaging fat cells with the theoretical goal of producing tissue tightening. Although some of these liposuction technologies claim faster recovery, less bruising, and less pain, Dr. Rapaport warns against such claims. These technologies still require the tissues to be injected with a wetting solution prior to treatment (tumescence) and traditional aspiration, or suction, of fat after they are used.

In many cases, the claim that these technologies produce lasting tightening has never been well established. However, among the technologies Dr. Rapaport does believe to be beneficial are BodyTite, VASER, and PAL.

BodyTite Skin Tightening

BodyTite differentiates itself from other ‘tissue tightening’ technologies by offering true bipolar radiofrequency energy delivery. This means that heat energy transferred across the skin is precisely controlled, allowing for measurable improvements in skin tightness as collagen shrinks when heated.

Choosing The Right Technology For Optimal Results

Enhancing Your Results with Power-Assisted Liposuction

At Rapaport Plastic Surgery, we utilize power-assisted liposuction (PAL) to enhance precision and efficiency. This technology allows the cannula to vibrate gently, making fat removal smoother and less labor-intensive. It’s particularly effective in dense areas, like the waist, without the need for excessive heat, ensuring safer fat removal.

The Equalization Technique – Smoothing Your Contours

A refined method Dr. Rapaport incorporates is equalization, which helps ensure an even, natural-looking result. This technique involves using a specialized cannula, known as a basket cannula, without suction to redistribute micro-fat cells. By gently massaging and evening out the fat layer, Dr. Rapaport creates a smooth, sculpted contour with minimal irregularities.

VASER Liposuction

Dr. Rapaport often chooses to use VASER technology when treating particularly dense tissues or areas that have previously undergone liposuction. The use of VASER will help to emulsify (or break down) fat before being aspirated with traditional or PAL cannulas.

VASER (vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance) assisted liposuction is the third generation of ultrasound-assisted liposuction device. Solid titanium probes deliver pulsed energy into the fatty tissue to break down the targeted fat. The probes are relatively small in diameter and contain grooves to disperse the energy better. The pulsing nature of the energy delivery also reduces heat generation. Overall, these two design advances allow for increased safety and better results than previous ultrasound technologies.

For patients desiring improved contour of their abdominal muscle, Dr. Rapaport harnesses this VASER technology to perform liposculpture. VASER allows for the superficial fat layer to be treated. This is key for performing abdominal etching or detailing of abdominal musculature. Dramatic contour can be achieved by targeting and removing this superficial layer of fat, particularly in patients who are relatively lean to begin with.

Closing the Incisions – Customizing for Your Skin Type

Whether to close an incision with stitches or leave it open depends on the patient’s skin type and healing tendencies:

  • For patients prone to pigmentation: I use removable sutures to minimize prolonged irritation.
  • For patients with fair skin or minimal scarring concerns: Dissolvable stitches may be an option, though they can sometimes last longer than necessary.

How to Prepare for Liposuction

  • Stop blood-thinning medications and supplements
    • Avoid aspirin, Motrin (ibuprofen), and similar medications for at least 1 week before surgery.
    • Discontinue supplements that increase bruising, including:
      • Fish oil / omega-3
      • Ginkgo biloba
      • Garlic
      • Ginger
      • Turmeric (acts like aspirin)
    • Best to stop other herbal supplements, as many have unknown effects.
  • Limit alcohol intake
    • Stop red wine at least 3–4 weeks before surgery (if concerned about bruising).
  • Discontinue hormonal medications
    • Stop birth control pills or other hormonal supplements at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery to reduce risk of blood clots.
  • Plan travel accordingly
    • If traveling by plane or long car ride:
      • Allow at least 24 hours between arrival and surgery.
      • Ideally wait 48 hours after long flights (especially with jet lag) before your procedure.

New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Rapaport performs all procedures using the tumescent technique. This technique, which is the gold standard according to most experts, involves the injection of a dilute solution of lidocaine as a local anesthetic and epinephrine to control bleeding prior to the actual suctioning of the fatty tissue. The tumescent technique effectively reduces blood loss, allows for increased fat removal and improved sculpting, and speeds recovery.

The suctioning is carefully performed using a 3 to 3.7-millimeter metallic rod, known as the cannula, inserted via a tiny puncture in the skin. The procedure is generally performed while the patient is comfortably sedated by our board-certified anesthesiologist. Patients typically have no memory of the event and leave the office within 30-60 minutes after the procedure, feeling great!

“When you come in for your liposuction procedure, I ensure a smooth and comfortable experience. I start by marking the target areas and then administer the appropriate anesthesia based on our consultation. Using precision techniques, I gently remove fat while sculpting your desired contours. Tiny incisions are strategically placed and closed to heal with minimal scarring. After the procedure, I provide personalized recovery instructions to ensure optimal healing.”
– Dr. Rapaport

Anesthesia

Unlike many facilities that perform liposuction under general anesthesia, Dr. Rapaport performs most lipo procedures under IV sedation, also called “twilight” anesthesia. During this type of anesthesia, the patient has an IV, and Dr. Rapaport’s board-certified anesthesiologist delivers sedating medications via the IV. The patient is breathing on his or her own and is responsive to verbal input but typically has no memory of the procedure.

Following the procedure, the patient feels relaxed and comfortable. Dr. Rapaport’s chief anesthesiologist, Dr. John Grillo, is a master of IV sedation, and he has been working with Dr. Rapaport for the past ten years. This lighter technique virtually eliminates risks associated with general anesthesia, including the risk of blood clots and the risk of airway complications.

Liposuction of small areas may require only local anesthesia. This may include areas such as under the chin (submental liposuction), inner knees, or sometimes the arms, inner thighs, or lower abdomen.

In such cases, the patient would have no IV and no anesthesiologist present. Instead, the patient would either rely completely on Dr. Rapaport’s injections to numb the area or could take oral medications to provide relaxation and mild sedation for the procedure. This is, of course, all reviewed with Dr. Rapaport at the individual consultation to plan the procedure in a way best suited to each patient’s preferences and priorities.

Incisions

Although liposuction scars are small, on many areas of the body, if left unsutured, they will heal as circular indented marks resembling chicken pox scars. On the other hand, if the liposuction scars are sealed shut with sutures, they will not be able to drain, and patients will have more swelling and bruising from their procedure.

For this reason, Dr. Rapaport generally places a single suture in each incision to allow it to heal as a fine line while also allowing the drainage of fluid. Depending on the patient’s skin type, Dr. Rapaport may elect to use dissolvable sutures. If he chooses removable sutures, they will be removed at the first post-operative visit, approximately one week following the procedure.

One of the aspects of liposuction that makes it extremely appealing is the fact that scars are truly very small. The scars will range in size from 2-5 mm (a pencil eraser is about 5 mm across), depending on the area treated. Generally, these liposuction scars are hidden in inconspicuous places. For example, for outer thigh liposuction, scars can be hidden under the buttock crease, rendering them truly invisible, making this arguably the best liposuction Manhattan has to offer.

With Dr. Rapaport’s advanced technique, our NYC patients enjoy a fast, easy recovery. Most patients can return to work within three days following their liposuction procedure and return to the gym within a week. Patients can expect some bruising, swelling, and soreness in the treated areas for the first few days.

We will provide aftercare instructions and detailed information for each patient’s unique procedure and what they can expect afterward. Patients may need to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and promote healing.

Personalized Recovery and Downtime Expectations

  • Bruising: May last 2-3 weeks, depending on healing and activity levels.
  • Pain Levels: Most patients describe discomfort similar to post-workout soreness, which can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medication.
  • Showering: Allowed after 48 hours, but soaking in baths, pools, or oceans should be avoided until incisions are fully healed.

Understanding Downtime and Activity Restrictions

While you can return to most activities quickly, aesthetic concerns may require additional patience:

  • Visible Bruising: If discretion is needed, expect 2-3 weeks before appearing in revealing clothing.
  • Full Healing: Internal tissue adjustments continue over the following 6-12 weeks, leading to optimal results over time.

Take the Next Step

“If you’re ready to enhance your body contours with expert liposuction techniques, schedule a consultation at our New York office. I will assess your goals, discuss the best approach for your needs, and develop a customized treatment plan to help you achieve a beautifully sculpted look.”
– Dr. Rapaport

Every patient’s transformation journey at Rapaport Plastic Surgery begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Rapaport. To learn more about liposuction and determine if it’s the right choice for you, fill out the form below or call us at (212) 249-9955 to schedule an appointment. Our team is dedicated to providing the best plastic surgery NYC has to offer.

Ready to book a consultation or treatment? Just click the Book Now button below to schedule online.

Book Now