Diet and exercise are essential to restoring and maintaining a healthy figure; however, many people struggle to remove pockets of stubborn fat or excess skin after losing weight. At West Michigan Plastic Surgery, Dr. Holley provides liposuction and tummy tuck procedures to help patients restore their figures. 

What is a Liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure to remove pockets of fat in various body areas. Common treatment areas include the abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs, upper arms, and knees. 

Dr. Holley injects a local anesthetic during your procedure to constrict the blood vessels and prevent discomfort during surgery. He creates a small incision in the target area and inserts a cannula to loosen and remove the fat. After the fat is removed, Dr. Holley removes the cannula and closes the incisions. Some patients require multiple sessions for desired results.

Liposuction
 Before & After Photos

Case: 1 of 7
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Case: 1 of 7
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Before & After Liposuction Case 8952 View #1 View in Kalamazoo & Grand Rapids, Michigan
Before & After
Case: 3 of 6

This 51 year old from Galesburg, Michigan had previously undergone circumferential trunk liposuction of 3.2 liters. She presented with a desire to pursue further enhancement for minor irregularities through revision liposuction of the trunk of 700 mL. Read More
Before & After Liposuction Case 8949 View #1 View in Kalamazoo & Grand Rapids, Michigan
Before & After
Case: 4 of 6

This 24 year old from Portage, Michigan presented with a desire for aesthetic body contouring. She chose to undergo circumferential liposuction of 1.8 liters of the trunk.
Before & After Liposuction Case 8704 View #1 View in Kalamazoo & Grand Rapids, Michigan
Before & After
Case: 5 of 6

This 22 year old from Fort Wayne, Indiana voiced a desire to pursue aesthetic body contouring. To achieve this, she elected to undergo liposuction of hip, waist, and abdominal regions totalling 3.2 liters.
Before & After Liposuction Case 8703 View #1 View in Kalamazoo & Grand Rapids, Michigan
Before & After
Case: 6 of 6

This 45 year old from Kalamazoo, Michigan presented with partpartum lipodystrophy that has not responded to diet or exercise. She chose to undergo liposuction of the trunk and brachial region of the arms totalling 2.8 liters.

*Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tucks contour the abdomen by removing excess skin and repairing underlying muscles. The tummy tuck is commonly part of a mommy makeover to restore the body after pregnancy. 

Tummy tucks are an outpatient procedure lasting 2-3 hours. During your consultation, Dr. Holley discusses your tummy tuck options, tailoring your plan to your body type and goals. Liposuction is commonly performed with the tummy tuck further to sculpt the hip, waist, and bra line.

Tummy Tuck
 Before & After Photos

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Before & After Tummy Tuck Case 8969 View #1 View in Kalamazoo & Grand Rapids, Michigan
Before & After
Case: 5 of 5

This 55 year old from Kalamazoo, Michigan presented with skin laxity, lipodystrophy, and significant muscle weakness. She achieved dramatic improvement with a standard abdominoplasty (including extensive fascial tightening) and 2.5 liters of hip/waist liposuction. Post-op photos taken at 17 months following surgery. Read More

*Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

Consultations Available Now

Take the first step. Get your questions answered by meeting with one of our knowledgeable medical staff for an in-person consultation. Simply fill out the form, and one of our experienced team members will reach out to you promptly to schedule your consultation.

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Should I Get a Liposuction or a Tummy Tuck?

While both procedures improve the overall silhouette, liposuction and tummy tucks address different concerns, have different recovery timelines, and have different results.  

Candidates

Candidates for either liposuction or tummy tucks must be healthy, at or near a healthy weight, and not smoke. Ideal candidates for liposuction want to remove small fat deposits that cause bulging in nearly any area of the body. The best candidates for a tummy tuck want to remove excess skin, fat, and tissue from the abdominal region. 

Recovery

We recommend avoiding extensive exercise for both procedures to prevent any complications during recovery. We may recommend compression garments to reduce swelling and aid healing.

For liposuction, the recovery typically takes a week for light activities and 2-3 weeks for strenuous exercise. For a tummy tuck, full recovery may take up to eight weeks, but most return to light work after two weeks. We recommend light exercise after ten days to aid in healing from a tummy tuck. 

Results

Both liposuction and tummy tuck contour the body for a more desired figure. The scars are inconspicuous and allow patients at West Michigan Plastic Surgery to be confident in their results. 

For only liposuction, the final results may take a few months as the swelling subsides. Liposuction is not a weight loss solution but does lead to significant visual improvement in body contour and silhouette. Most patients enjoy permanent results, but weight fluctuations could increase fat pockets in other areas of the body. Some patients may require multiple appointments for desired results. 

For tummy tucks, final results may take up to 3-6 months. The scars are hidden beneath the bikini line and fade over time. Patients may enjoy permanent results of a flatter, smoother abdomen. Tummy tucks do not remove substantial amounts of fat, focusing more on the excess skin and muscles. 

Patients may receive liposuction and a tummy tuck for more extensive restoration in one appointment. 

Take the Next Step

Would you like to learn more about liposuction and tummy tucks? Simply fill out the form on this page or call West Michigan Plastic Surgery at (269) 222-1611 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Scott Holley, a Board-Certified plastic surgeon.  Proudly serving Kalamazoo and the greater Southwest Michigan area.