Hatate, Ariko
2026.08.17
What Is Liposuction? A Simple Explanation of How It Works, Its Effects, and Downtime
As a plastic surgeon, he has experienced many cases and has developed precise techniques and a deep anatomical understanding. Currently, combining his knowledge of plastic surgery with the latest technology, he provides a wide range of cosmetic treatments for skin, contouring, sagging, and other concerns of aging. He has also shared the responsibility of writing Japan's first textbook on gynecological cosmetic surgery, "Basic Techniques of Gynecological Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery. From her experience as an idol during medical school, she realized that "natural beauty" goes beyond the will to choose how you want to be, and she focuses on supporting her patients to "love yourself more every day". We are English-speaking and value counseling that is easy to talk to.
Hello!
This is Dr. Ariko Hatate of Bianca Clinic.
Many people are probably considering liposuction because they want to “get rid of stubborn fat that’s hard to lose through dieting” or “achieve their ideal body shape.”
In this article, we’ll explain in simple terms how liposuction works, the downtime involved, and key points to help you avoid regrets. We’ll also introduce “BeautiFill,” a new treatment that makes use of the extracted fat.
What Is Liposuction? An Explanation of How It Works and How It Differs from Dieting
First, let’s take a look at what liposuction is, how it works, and its key features.
What Is Liposuction? Learn the Difference Between Liposuction and Dieting
Liposuction is a procedure in which a few millimeters-long incision is made in the skin, and subcutaneous fat is removed directly using a thin tube (cannula). With weight loss achieved through diet and exercise, fat cells shrink, leading to a reduction in body weight and body fat percentage.
On the other hand, liposuction is characterized by the fact that it removes fat cells themselves, making it possible to reduce volume in areas of concern. Furthermore, since the number of fat cells is reduced, you can expect to be less prone to weight regain as long as you maintain proper weight management.
Results You Can Expect from Liposuction and Areas That Can Be Treated
Liposuction targets specific areas of unwanted fat and can help sculpt the jawline and body contours. This procedure is not intended to result in significant weight loss, but rather to create a well-defined silhouette.
Liposuction is available for the following areas.
- Face (cheeks, under the chin)
- Upper arms
- Abdomen and Lower Back
- back
- Thigh
- buttocks
- calf
With liposuction, it’s not simply a matter of removing as much fat as possible. By designing the procedure while taking into account the distribution of fat, bone structure, and any asymmetry between the left and right sides, we aim to achieve a natural and balanced result.
Who Is and Isn't a Good Candidate for Liposuction
Liposuction is a procedure suitable for people who find it difficult to lose fat in specific areas even after maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly, as well as for those who want to refine their body contours.
On the other hand, if you’re hoping to lose a significant amount of weight or need to improve your lifestyle habits, there are cases where it’s best to prioritize weight management first.
In addition, in cases of severe skin sagging, liposuction alone may not provide sufficient improvement; combining it with treatments for sagging skin may help achieve the desired results.
The appropriate treatment varies not only based on where fat accumulates, but also on the condition of your skin, your bone structure, and your desired results. It is important to first consult with a doctor to discuss the treatment method that is best suited for you.
3 Key Points to Keep in Mind to Avoid Regrets After Liposuction
To avoid regrets, it’s important to choose a treatment method that’s right for you after fully understanding the downtime and risks involved. Additionally, since the results and your level of satisfaction with liposuction depend on the doctor’s skill, it’s essential to choose a clinic and doctor you can trust.
Understand the downtime and risks
After liposuction, various symptoms may occur, such as swelling, bruising, fluid retention, and pain similar to muscle soreness.
However, these are normal reactions that occur as the body recovers from the damage caused by surgery, and in most cases, they will subside over time. It is also important to understand that the severity of symptoms and the time it takes to recover vary from person to person.
In addition, properly following postoperative compression and aftercare instructions as directed by your doctor is key to supporting your recovery and achieving a beautiful result.
On the other hand, there is always some risk of complications such as infection, hematoma, asymmetry, or unevenness. Before undergoing the procedure, it is important to receive a thorough explanation not only of the downtime but also of the potential risks, and to proceed only after you fully understand and agree to them.
Understanding the Differences Based on Treatment Methods
There are several surgical techniques for liposuction, and their characteristics vary depending on the method used to soften the fat and the method of suction.
For example, there are methods such as injecting a solution to make the fat easier to suction out, or using devices like ultrasound to break up the fat before suctioning it out; each method has its own advantages.
Vaser liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses ultrasonic energy to break up fat while suctioning it out. It is characterized by the ability to perform the procedure while minimizing damage to surrounding blood vessels and nerves, and it is also used for fat harvesting.
The appropriate treatment varies depending on the amount of fat and your desired results—for example, liposuction is recommended for significantly reducing fat over a large area, while fat-dissolving injections are a good choice for targeting fat in smaller areas. Consult with your doctor to choose the treatment that’s right for you.
▷Learn About VASER Body Liposuction
▷Learn About VASER Facial Contouring Liposuction
Choosing a Clinic and Doctor with Technical Expertise
Liposuction is a procedure in which the final results can vary significantly not only depending on the surgical technique chosen but also on the surgeon’s skill and experience. Even when the same technique is used, differences in the layer and area from which fat is removed, as well as how the cannula is maneuvered, can lead to variations in the post-operative contours, symmetry, and smoothness of the results.
Therefore, when choosing a clinic, it is important to review case photos, the doctor’s experience, the thoroughness of the explanation provided during the consultation, and the post-operative follow-up system to determine whether it is an environment where you can entrust your care with confidence.
"BeautiFill": A New Option for Making Use of Liposuctioned Fat
BeautyFill is a treatment that combines liposuction and fat grafting to sculpt the body while also aiming to achieve a natural increase in volume.
In the past, the primary goal of liposuction was to remove fat from areas of concern. In recent years, however, a new approach—one that focuses not only on removing unwanted fat but also on utilizing it in areas where it is needed—has been gaining attention.
A New Approach to Liposuction That Goes Beyond Just Reducing Fat
BeautyFill is a procedure that uses a laser liposuction system called "LipoLife" to directly utilize the extracted fat for fat grafting.
This procedure is characterized by a unique design that uses a laser to soften fat, making it easier to break down, while simultaneously performing liposuction—allowing for the extraction of fat while minimizing damage to fat cells. As a result, the extracted fat can be injected on the spot into areas such as the face, breasts, and hips.
Natural Volume You Can Achieve with Beautyfill
With BeautyFill, since your own fat is used, you can achieve natural volume enhancement without injecting any foreign substances. Another key feature is that the harvested fat has a high survival rate, making it easier for the fat cells to take root during the injection process.
One of the unique benefits of BeautyFill is that it allows you to reduce unwanted fat while using your own fat to sculpt areas where you want more volume.
Fat Utilization Tailored to Each Individual’s Goals
Fat harvested using the BeautyFill method can be used in various areas of the body to address patients' concerns and achieve their ideal look.
For example,
- Face (forehead, temples, cheeks, nasolabial folds, etc.)
- Bust
- Hip
Fat injections can be performed in these areas, among others.
One of the appeals of BeautyFill is that it has the potential to fulfill both of these desires—“I want to slim down the areas that bother me” and “At the same time, there are areas where I want more volume”—all in a single treatment.
By treating fat not as something to ”get rid of” but as something to ”make the most of,” you can work toward achieving a more ideal body shape.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction
We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions from people considering liposuction, along with their answers. We hope this helps address any questions or concerns you may have before the procedure.
What happens if I gain weight after liposuction? Will I experience a rebound?
Since liposuction removes fat cells themselves, you can expect to be less likely to regain weight as long as you maintain proper weight management.
However, if you gain weight after the procedure, the remaining fat cells may enlarge, which could change your body shape. To maintain your ideal body shape, it is important to continue managing your weight through diet and exercise even after the procedure.
How long is the downtime?
Although downtime varies from person to person, swelling and bruising generally subside gradually over the course of several weeks. It often takes about 3 to 6 months for the final results to become apparent, so it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions for aftercare.
Can you get liposuction on your face?
Yes, it is possible. By removing fat from areas such as the cheeks and under the chin through liposuction, you can achieve a sleeker facial profile, a smaller-looking face, and sharper contours. Since the face is a delicate area, it is important that the procedure be performed by a doctor with a thorough understanding of anatomy.
Can the fat that's been suctioned out be put to good use?
This is possible depending on the procedure. For example, with BeautyFill, the extracted fat can be injected into the face, breasts, hips, and other areas to add volume. Since it uses your own fat, it is designed to achieve a natural-looking result.
Which Is Better: Liposuction or Fat-Dissolving Injections?
The key to determining which option is more suitable is to consider the downtime and how long it takes to see results. While liposuction tends to involve longer downtime than fat-dissolving injections, it’s a procedure where you can often notice a reduction in volume immediately after the treatment.
Consult with your doctor to choose the treatment that's right for you.
We’ve entered an era where liposuction isn’t just about “reducing” fat—it’s also about “making the most of it.”
Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes fat from areas of concern to help you achieve your ideal facial and body contours.
On the other hand, to achieve the best possible results, it is important to understand the characteristics of each treatment method and choose the one that is right for you under the care of an experienced physician.
In recent years, new options such as “BeautyFill”—which not only removes fat but also uses the extracted fat for procedures on the face or breasts—have also emerged.
At Bianca Clinic, we offer a range of procedures, including VASER liposuction, as well as liposuction and fat grafting using BeautyFill. We recommend the treatment method best suited to each individual’s body type and preferences, so if you are considering liposuction, please feel free to schedule a consultation with us.
▷View VASER Facial Contouring Liposuction
▷Learn About VASER Body Liposuction
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