Liposuction in Delafield
The contour diet and exercise won't reach.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat deposits from specific areas of the body using a hollow tube called a cannula and suction. It is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States, used to contour areas resistant to diet and exercise rather than as a weight loss method.
At a Glance
- Liposuction is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States according to the 2024 ASPS statistics report[4]
- A 2024 meta-analysis of 39 studies and 29,368 patients found an overall complication rate of 2.62%[6]
- Tumescent liposuction using local anesthesia has been shown to be the safest method of fat removal[8]
- The procedure removes localized fat deposits but is not a substitute for diet and exercise or a treatment for obesity[1]
Overview
Liposuction addresses localized fat deposits that persist despite diet and exercise. Through small incisions, a thin cannula is moved in a controlled back-and-forth motion to loosen fat, which is then removed by suction. Techniques include tumescent, ultrasound-assisted liposuction such as VASER, laser-assisted, power-assisted, and water-assisted liposuction.
Treatment areas can include the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, upper arms, back, chest, chin, neck, calves, and ankles. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity and does not effectively treat cellulite. The most predictable contour changes tend to occur in patients who are at or near their target weight and have firm, elastic skin. The procedure removes volume, then relies on the skin to retract around the new contour.
Liposuction is also the harvest step for Brazilian butt lift, fat transfer breast augmentation, and body fat transfer. In these cases, the same pass that supplies the graft also contours the donor area. When liposuction is quoted on its own, pricing begins with the first area. The fee changes with the number of sites treated rather than the operation itself.
What to expect
- Consultation to discuss goals, review medical history, and develop a surgical plan
- Pre-operative evaluation including lab work and medical clearance as needed
- Administration of anesthesia (local with sedation, or general anesthesia depending on extent)
- Small inconspicuous incisions are made in the treatment area
- Tumescent solution is infused into the fatty tissue
- A cannula is inserted and moved to loosen fat deposits
- Fat is suctioned out through the cannula using a surgical vacuum or syringe
- Incisions are closed and compression garments are applied
- Post-operative instructions are provided for recovery and follow-up care
How a liposuction works
- A tumescent solution containing diluted local anesthetic, epinephrine, and saline is infused into the treatment area. The solution minimizes bleeding, reduces pain, and facilitates fat removal.
- A thin, hollow cannula is inserted through small skin incisions and moved in a controlled back-and-forth motion to loosen fat cells from the surrounding tissues. The dislodged fat is then removed through the cannula with a surgical vacuum or syringe.
- The method used to loosen the fat varies by technique. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction uses ultrasonic vibrations to liquefy fat. Laser-assisted liposuction uses laser energy, while power-assisted liposuction uses a vibrating cannula.
- The body contour becomes clearer as swelling resolves over the following weeks to months. Removed fat cells do not regenerate, although the remaining fat cells can enlarge with weight gain.
- When liposuction supplies a fat graft, the aspirate is handled as tissue rather than waste. The pass is planned to contour the donor area while keeping the harvested fat viable for transfer. Brazilian butt lift, fat transfer breast augmentation, and body fat transfer are listed as separate procedures at Consona, and each begins with this step.
When it's recommended
- Localized fat deposits in the abdomen, flanks, or waist resistant to diet and exercise
- Excess fat in the thighs, hips, or buttocks affecting body contour
- Fat deposits in the upper arms, back, or chest
- Submental (under-chin) fat causing a double chin appearance
- Gynecomastia (excess breast tissue in males)
- Lipomas (benign fatty tumors) requiring removal
- Body contouring after significant weight loss
- Fat harvesting for autologous fat transfer procedures
Is a liposuction right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Concerns it addresses
Recovery & aftercare
- Compression garments are worn for several weeks to minimize swelling and support healing
- Most patients return home the same day as the procedure
- Bruising typically resolves within 3-4 weeks after surgery
- Return to desk work is generally possible within a few days to one week
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are typically restricted for 4-6 weeks
- Swelling gradually subsides over weeks to months
- Final body contour results are typically visible within 1-3 months
Alternatives
- Non-invasive body contouring (CoolSculpting, SculpSure)
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) for excess skin and fat
- Kybella injections for submental fat
- Diet and exercise modification
- Liposuction combined with other procedures (mommy makeover, body lift)
How much does a liposuction cost?
A liposuction at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $6,515. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat from specific areas with a thin tube called a cannula and suction. It contours stubborn fat deposits that have not responded to diet and exercise. According to the 2024 ASPS statistics report, it is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States.
- Liposuction is performed under anesthesia, so the procedure itself is not painful. Soreness, swelling, and bruising are typical afterward and can be managed with prescribed medication. Discomfort generally improves significantly within the first one to two weeks.
- Liposuction has a well-documented safety profile, particularly when a board-certified surgeon uses the tumescent technique. A 2024 meta-analysis found an overall complication rate of approximately 2.6%. Risks still exist with any surgical procedure and are discussed during consultation.
- Most patients can return to desk work within a few days to one week. Bruising typically resolves within 3–4 weeks, and strenuous activity is usually restricted for 4–6 weeks. Final results generally become visible within 1–3 months as residual swelling subsides.
- No. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure or a treatment for obesity. It is intended to contour localized fat deposits in patients who are at or near their target weight and have not reached those areas through diet and exercise. Maintaining a stable weight after surgery helps preserve the result.
- Liposuction may not be appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for someone with an active infection, a blood-clotting disorder, poor skin elasticity, or significant cardiac or pulmonary conditions. A thorough medical evaluation during consultation helps determine candidacy.
- Yes. The ballpark price is for a single area. Each additional site adds operative time and its own incisions, so it also adds to the fee. A plan treating the abdomen, flanks, and inner thighs counts as three areas rather than one procedure. The total changes with the number of sites treated, not the technique used.
- No, and this is the single most common misunderstanding about liposuction. Removing fat reduces the volume beneath the skin and relies on the skin to retract around the new contour. That works well when the skin still has elasticity. After substantial weight loss, pregnancy, or changes associated with age, the same amount of loose skin may remain over less volume. In that case, the remedy is an excisional procedure. Arm lift, abdominoplasty, and post-weight-loss body contouring are all on the same service list at Consona, so no referral is needed to have that discussion.
Liposuction risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Unrealistic expectations about results or use as a weight loss method
- Active infection or poor wound healing conditions
- Significant cardiac, pulmonary, or other medical conditions not medically cleared
- Blood clotting disorders or current anticoagulant therapy without clearance
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Poor skin elasticity that may result in loose or irregular skin after fat removal
- Morbid obesity (liposuction is not an obesity treatment)
Possible risks
- Contour irregularities including dents, dimples, or asymmetry
- Temporary bruising, swelling, and soreness at treatment sites
- Seroma (fluid accumulation beneath the skin)
- Hematoma (blood accumulation)
- Temporary numbness or changes in skin sensation
- Infection (rare with proper technique)
- Hyperpigmentation in treated areas
- Skin laxity or loose skin, particularly in older patients
- Fat embolism (rare but serious)
- Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (rare)
- Lidocaine toxicity if tumescent solution dose is excessive
- Thermal or ultrasonic burns with energy-assisted techniques
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 9 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.
Government & research
Medical institutions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12