Not weight loss. Body contouring.
Liposuction is one of the most-performed cosmetic procedures in the world — and one of the most-misunderstood. It is not a weight loss procedure. It removes localized fat deposits that don't respond to diet and exercise, refining contours in specific body regions rather than reducing overall body weight. The best candidates are already close to their goal weight and want targeted contouring in specific areas.
At NCSS, six of our affiliated surgeons perform liposuction as part of their body contouring practice. Dr. Douglas Hendricks — whose practice motto 'Plastic surgery must always whisper, never scream' defines the aesthetic — is regionally recognized for refined liposuction work and for pairing liposuction with Renuvion helium-plasma skin tightening to firm the treated area.
Liposuction is frequently combined with other procedures: with a tummy tuck for comprehensive abdominal contouring, with a mommy makeover for post-partum restoration, or with fat transfer to breast or face (where harvested fat becomes graft material for another site). The consultation is where the right combination is designed.
Who this procedure is designed for.
Liposuction is appropriate for patients close to their goal weight who want targeted contouring in specific areas — not a tool for weight loss.
Close to your goal weight
Liposuction is a contouring procedure, not a weight loss procedure. Best candidates are within 10–15 pounds of their target weight.
Localized fat deposits that don't respond to diet and exercise
Areas of stubborn fat that persist despite reasonable diet and exercise efforts. Common areas: abdomen, flanks, outer thighs, inner thighs, upper arms, back, neck.
Good skin quality
Skin needs to retract after fat is removed. Younger, elastic skin retracts well; older or heavily-stretched skin may not — and may require Renuvion or an excisional lift procedure to address the resulting laxity.
Realistic expectations
Liposuction refines contours in the areas treated. It does not tighten skin substantially (Renuvion pairing helps), it does not remove cellulite reliably, and it does not prevent future weight gain.
Stable weight commitment
Weight gain after liposuction produces distorted contours because fat cells removed in one area cannot regrow, but untreated areas can still gain fat. Long-term aesthetic requires stable weight.
Smoking status matters — and approach varies by surgeon
Every surgeon at NCSS strongly recommends smoking cessation for at least 4–6 weeks pre-operatively. Some of our surgeons, Dr. Nichter among them, will not perform surgery on patients who continue to smoke. Others will proceed with candid discussion of the elevated risks.
Every scheduled surgical patient is offered a free Rest-Assure pre-operative consultation with Dr. Rand Scott personally — medical history, medication planning, and discharge coordination before surgery day.
Three stages, one procedure.
Modern liposuction has evolved substantially from the technique of prior decades. The current standard involves several technical refinements:
Tumescent technique
Dilute local anesthetic and epinephrine are infiltrated into the target area before fat removal. This dramatically reduces blood loss, provides pain control, and separates fat cells for easier removal.
Small-cannula, small-incision approach
Small incisions (2–4mm) placed in inconspicuous locations. Small cannulas allow more refined sculpting than the aggressive techniques of prior generations.
Multiple entry points per area
Contouring from multiple angles produces smoother, more natural-looking results than contouring from a single access point.
Energy-assisted variants
Ultrasound-assisted (VASER) or power-assisted (PAL) liposuction can help with denser fat or larger volumes. Dr. Hendricks and other surgeons on our roster offer these variants where indicated.
Renuvion skin tightening pairing
Helium-plasma with radiofrequency delivered subdermally after fat removal — tightens the skin envelope in the treated area, addressing what liposuction alone cannot.
Fat harvesting for transfer
When appropriate, fat removed during liposuction can be purified and used for fat transfer to breast, face, or other sites in the same surgical session.
Every Liposuction procedure at NCSS is performed under physician anesthesia — no CRNAs, no exceptions — in our AAAHC-accredited operating rooms.
Two sites. One recovery.
Liposuction recovery is manageable — most patients return to desk work within a week. The compression garment is the constant companion for the first four to six weeks.
Discharged the day of surgery with your dedicated nurse. Compression garment worn continuously. Significant swelling and bruising expected in treated areas.
Peak swelling at 48–72 hours, then progressive improvement. Compression garment continues. Most patients return to desk work at day 5–7.
Progressive return to normal activity. Compression garment continues (typically 4–6 weeks total). Light exercise gradually resumed.
Return to full exercise, including cardio and resistance training. Compression garment typically discontinued.
Swelling continues to resolve; the final contour becomes apparent. Small residual firmness or nodularity is common and continues to soften.
Final aesthetic result. Skin has retracted as much as it will, and the contour is stable.
Results are permanent for the fat removed — those specific cells do not regrow. But other fat cells in the body still respond to weight changes. Weight stability is essential to maintaining the result.
Every Liposuction patient at NCSS is covered by our Rest-Assure program: physician anesthesia on the day of surgery, one nurse from arrival through discharge, and post-operative direct access to your surgeon — not an answering service.
Six surgeons. Anchored by Dr. Hendricks.
Liposuction is performed by six of our affiliated surgeons — a range of training backgrounds, career stages, and perspectives on body contouring.
Dr. Toohey
Mommy Makeover · BodyAll-UC training; three decades of body work; often combines liposuction with tummy tuck.
View surgeon →Dr. Hendricks
Body Contouring · Renuvion LeaderTriple-boarded; regionally recognized for refined liposuction; often pairs with Renuvion for skin tightening.
View surgeon →Dr. Bernett
Female Surgeon · Full ContinuumUC Irvine trained; full body-contouring continuum including liposuction; in our building.
View surgeon →Dr. Nichter
Body · Pacific CenterFour decades in Newport Beach; liposuction as part of a full aesthetic practice.
View surgeon →Dr. Andre
New Generation · BodyCoast-to-coast training; modern approach to liposuction and body contouring.
View surgeon →Dr. Castaldo
Female Surgeon · BodyUMASS trained; award-winning research background; body work grounded in surgical safety.
View surgeon →The right starting point is a conversation.
Every consultation at NCSS begins with time — time to understand your goals, your health history, and which of our affiliated surgeons is the right fit for your specific situation.
Call (949) 644-8182Monday–Thursday, 8am–3pm · Friday by appointment only.
Related procedures.
VASER
Ultrasound-assisted variant of liposuction — selective fat emulsification for fibrous areas, high-definition contouring, and higher fat viability when harvest for transfer is planned.
Learn more →Renuvion Skin Tightening
Helium-plasma skin tightening — the pairing that addresses what liposuction alone cannot.
Learn more →Gynecomastia
Male chest contouring — combines the sculpting liposuction technique with targeted gland excision for a natural masculine contour.
Learn more →