LOOK GREAT AT ANY AGE

Liposuction Surgery in Nashville, TN

Many people who come to Nashville Cosmetic Surgery for liposuction at our Nashville practice are in good health and reasonably fit, but they have a “problem area” that seems out of proportion with the rest of the body. They’ve tried diet and exercise to address the trouble spot, but no luck. These patients are ideal candidates for liposuction.

ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR LIPOSUCTION?

  • Do you have one or two areas that are out of proportion to the rest of your body?
  • Have you tried diet and exercise and have areas that stubbornly refuse to budge regardless of your weight?
  • Do you have your mother’s thighs or your father’s hip rolls?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then consider liposuction.

Liposuction before and after photos - Nashville Cosmetic Surgery
Dr. Griffin, Nashville Cosmetic Surgery

DON GRIFFIN M.D., FACS

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Don Griffin realizes that no two patients are exactly alike — and neither are his surgical plans. Learn more about his background and his unique approach.

Meet Dr. Don Griffin
Request a consultation

WHICH LIPOSUCTION TECHNIQUE IS BEST?

While there are many types of liposuction, it’s important to know that study after study has shown there are no significant differences in the results achieved with any of the different types of liposuction. In other words, no one type of liposuction is better than the other. Common techniques include:

  • Traditional liposuction uses a thin tube called a cannula to break up the fat and suction it away.
  • Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty uses ultrasonic energy to liquefy excess fat prior to surgical suctioning.
  • Laser-assisted liposuction, such as Smartlipo®, is one of the many types that use various energy sources to dissolve the fat.
  • Water jet assisted lipo, such as Body Jet®, uses pulsating water to break up the fat.

Despite the company marketing hype, they all produce basically the same results with no measurable differences in outcomes. More important than the type of liposuction is how well the technique is performed. This is ultimately dependent upon the surgeon on the other end of the suction cannula.
 

HOW DO I CHOOSE A LIPOSUCTION SURGEON?

When considering liposuction, choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with a wealth of experience performing liposuction, such as Dr. Griffin. His extensive experience and training guide him in knowing how much fat to remove from which areas, which technology to use, and whether or not liposuction is the best treatment for the area of concern.

Nashville Cosmetic Surgery patient testimonials and reviews

WHAT TO EXPECT

Liposuction is done on an outpatient basis so patients can go home in the care of their families, once they have recovered from anesthesia (unless, of course, the patient has undergone a large volume of liposuction or combined with other procedures). Areas that have been treated are placed in compressive garments to minimize swelling. 

LIPOSUCTION RECOVERY

Helping our patients manage a speedy recovery is one of our primary goals. Most liposuction patients are up and about the day after liposuction. There will be some swelling and bruising after liposuction and recovery depend on the number of areas treated. Compression garments are worn for 4 to 6 weeks to aid the healing. Most of the swelling is gone in about 2 to 3 weeks, however, there will be small amounts of swelling which may last longer. After the initial swelling is gone, we recommend Spanx® Slim Cognito garments and include them in the price of your surgery. For men who have correction of gynecomastia, we offer compression undershirts, which are also included.

Dr. Griffin instructs his patients on how to perform deep massage on the areas that have been treated to help with the resolution of swelling and firmness. Most people can return to normal activities in 10 to 14 days.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction

The ideal liposuction candidate is a healthy adult with good skin elasticity, stubborn localized fat deposits, and realistic expectations about outcomes. Skin quality matters: liposuction removes fat but does not tighten loose skin. Patients with significantly lax skin may benefit from a combined excisional procedure. Dr. Griffin evaluates skin tone and elasticity at every consultation to ensure the recommended approach will produce the best possible result.

Dr. Griffin uses tumescent liposuction as his foundational technique, which infuses a solution into the target area to minimize bleeding and improve fat removal precision. He selects from various technologies based on the treatment area and patient needs, including power-assisted liposuction (PAL) for efficient, smooth contouring. He will discuss the most appropriate technique for your specific areas of concern during your consultation.

The fat cells removed by liposuction are gone, but remaining fat cells in the treated and adjacent areas can still enlarge with weight gain, which can diminish results. Maintaining a stable weight after liposuction is the most important factor in preserving long-term outcomes.

Multiple areas can often be treated during a single liposuction session, which is both convenient and cost-effective. The number of areas treated is limited by safety considerations including total volume of fat removed and total anesthesia time. Dr. Griffin will assess your goals and recommend a safe scope for your procedure during your consultation.

Recovery varies by the number of areas treated and total volume removed. Most patients return to desk work within 3–5 days. A compression garment is worn for 4–6 weeks to support healing and optimize contouring. Bruising and swelling are normal and should resolve over 4–8 weeks. Final results become visible at around the 3-month mark when most swelling has subsided.

Dr. Griffin performs liposuction on the abdomen, flanks and love handles, back and bra rolls, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, upper arms, chest (including male gynecomastia), and the submental area beneath the chin. Treatment is tailored to your concerns and anatomy.

Yes. Liposuction is frequently combined with a tummy tuck, mommy makeover, and other body contouring procedures. Combining procedures reduces total recovery time and can achieve more comprehensive results in a single surgical session.

Liposuction removes fat but does not tighten loose or lax skin. In patients with good skin elasticity, the skin retracts naturally over the treated area following fat removal. In patients with looser skin, surgical skin excision (such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift) may be needed to achieve the desired contour. Non-surgical skin tightening at The Skin Lounge may also supplement results in select cases.

Liposuction cost at Nashville Cosmetic Surgery varies based on the number of areas treated and procedural complexity. A detailed quote is provided at your consultation. Combining multiple areas in one session is generally more cost-effective than treating them separately. Financing options are available for qualified patients.

Your liposuction at Nashville Cosmetic Surgery will be performed in our onsite, state-licensed surgical facility. This means your procedure takes place in a dedicated surgical environment that has met the State of Tennessee's rigorous requirements for surgical safety, staffing, equipment, sterilization, and emergency preparedness — not in a shared hospital outpatient department or an unlicensed procedure room. Dr. Griffin and his dedicated surgical team perform every case in the same facility, ensuring consistency, privacy, and a level of personalized care that a hospital setting simply cannot provide.