Eat all the right things and never skip the gym, only to still have stubborn fat that won't budge? Find out why liposuction is consistently one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the U.S., with nearly 300,000 procedures performed annually.1
La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre 9850 Genesee Ave Suite 130
La Jolla, CA 92037 Call: (858) 452-1981Text: (858) 203-2944 M–F: 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Liposuction in San Diego, CA
Sometimes, Mother Nature isn’t on your side, no matter how much you diet or exercise. That’s where liposuction (aka lipo or liposculpture) comes in. Our San Diego body sculpting patients are usually already eating right and exercising and are still bothered by some aspect of their shape—a muffin top, thigh bulge, arm fat, or double chin, to name a few.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons have helped thousands of men and women like you get rid of stubborn fat and step out with bodies they love from head to toe. Sound like what you’re looking for? Your transformation is just a consultation away!
You can get your dream procedure without the hefty price tag! Our liposuction surgery starts at just $145 monthly with affordable payment plans. Put down $1,500 and qualify with average credit for 60 months. Do you have above-average credit, or can you make a larger initial payment? Enjoy even lower monthly payments! Click here to get prequalified.
"I am extremely happy with my surgical outcome and the care I received from Dr. Smoot and Shelley. They were so comforting and truly listened…"
Jun 4, 2026
"Dr. Swistun was top notch. He took the time to explain everything in the consultation, and the nurses and office staff were very helpful. Dr…"
May 26, 2026
"My previous breast surgery was over 15 years ago. I had a ruptured implant. I was very satisfied with my previous surgery by Dr. Smoot and k…"
May 26, 2026
"Dr. Swistun is a perfectionist! His work is meticulous and he truly cares about his patience. His bedside manners are one all doctors shoul…"
May 26, 2026
Is Liposuction Right for You?
Liposuction may be right for you if you’re tired of almost having the body you want. People of all ages and body types choose lipo to get rid of those last couple of stubborn inches and, in many cases, to reveal the hard work they’ve already put in on their bodies. Some typical patient profiles include:
Women with genetic fat deposits that affect their ability to feel comfortable in fitted clothing or swimsuits.
Men worried about “love handles” that distract from an otherwise fit body.
Older people who don’t care about potential loose skin after liposuction and just want their clothes to fit better.
If you’ve been diagnosed with lipedema and want to remove fatty deposits from the legs or arms.
In medical terms, these common scenarios all describe people with some amount of excess subcutaneous fat (the jiggly fat under the skin that you can pinch). This fat resists diet and exercise, so it sticks around even when you do your best to eat well and stay active. Fortunately, this is exactly the type of fat that liposuction addresses.
Liposuction Videos
Considering Liposuction in San Diego? We Offer the Most Advanced Techniques
In addition to traditional lipo, you can access even more body-contouring options at LJCSC.
HD Lipo: The Ultimate in Detailed Body Sculpting
Take your muscle definition to new levels with HD Lipo, or “hi-definition liposculpture” in San Diego. Specialist Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes sculpts areas in immense detail to reveal underlying musculature and give you that lean, ultra-fit look.
360 Lipo: Total Waist and Torso Transformation
Sculpt seamlessly slimmer contours around your entire tummy, flanks, and back with 360 Lipo. Specialist Dr. Luke Swistun uses a 3-Position 360 Lipo technique to create stunning, individualized results that look amazing from every angle.
Which Areas Can Liposuction Treat?
Liposuction is practically a head-to-toe option. Popular liposuction procedure areas include the:
Mid and upper back
Abdomen
Waist
Hips and love handles
Thighs
Inner knees
Calves and ankles
Chin and neck (double chin)
Upper arms
Bra fat
Men are sometimes concerned about fatty deposits on their chest (gynecomastia). Liposuction can be an excellent option for treating this condition and sculpting a firmer, more masculine-looking chest.
Can I Combine Liposuction With Other Procedures?
While liposuction provides satisfying improvements on its own, it also “plays well” with other procedures.
Our surgeons often combine it with the following procedures, especially for women who are getting mommy makeover surgery:
Liposuction is also a key part of Brazilian butt lift surgery (BBL), as it is used to harvest the fat that is transferred to the buttocks. Additionally, liposuction is often part of post-weight-loss surgery to ensure smooth contours.
Design the New You
Not sure how to get the look you want? Tell us about your goals, and we’ll show you the possibilities.
Liposuction is not a weight loss solution. It works best in the context of a healthy lifestyle and realistic expectations. The procedure is intended to produce long-term improvements in the contour and proportion of the treated areas. Improved liposuction techniques now allow the safe removal of larger volumes of fat, making the procedure beneficial for people with a wide range of body types.
Your body mass index (BMI) is an important factor in evaluating whether liposuction is a good solution for you. Ideally, your BMI will be in or near the normal range for your height. Calculate your BMI here >>
Patients who haven’t yet achieved their safe, ideal weight range for liposuction may benefit from our medically assisted prescription weight loss programs.
Which Is Better: CoolSculpting® or Liposuction?
We hear this question a lot. CoolSculpting can be a nonsurgical fat reduction option for certain patients. Like liposuction, CoolSculpting shrinks fatty bulges and helps your clothes fit you better. However, it’s not a substitute for liposuction. A few of the key differences:
A surgeon can sculpt a more refined shape with liposuction, while CoolSculpting indiscriminately reduces fat in the treated area. Neither technique is used for weight loss.
The results of liposuction are immediately noticeable and improve as swelling decreases. With CoolSculpting, your body sheds the damaged fat cells in the treated area(s) over 2 to 3 months. CoolSculpting typically takes two or more sessions, spaced about a month apart.
Liposuction can be used virtually anywhere on the body. CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared to treat 9 areas, but has some limitations due to the device’s applicators.
A surgeon can remove a larger and very precise amount of fat using liposuction; CoolSculpting will reduce the size of a fatty bulge in most cases.
You’ll need to limit activity for a few weeks after liposuction; there is no downtime after CoolSculpting.
In short, if you’re basically happy with your proportions, CoolSculpting could be an option. Liposuction, however, may yield more satisfying results if you want to treat multiple areas or have a larger amount of fat to address. We’ll help you weigh your options at your consultation.
How Is Liposuction Performed?
Liposuction is done on an outpatient basis in our QUAD A-accredited surgical suite. Your board-certified anesthesiologist will place you under general anesthesia to make sure you’re safe and comfortable from start to finish. During the procedure, your board-certified plastic surgeon will insert small suction tubes (cannulas) through very short incisions placed in well-hidden locations near the fat deposits. He or she will suction out excess fat to sculpt that attractive new shape you’ve been dreaming of.
Expect to return home on the day of surgery with treated areas wrapped in compression garments to minimize swelling and promote healing. These garments are thin and fit easily under your everyday clothing.
As techniques for liposuction have advanced, recovery time has become shorter for most people. Here is a general timeline of what to expect:
First Few Days
Expect mild soreness, swelling, and bruising
Notice improved contours (despite swelling)
Days 7 to 14
Bruising fades
Return to nonstrenuous work and activities
3 to 5 Weeks
Ready to stop wearing compression garments if desired
Begin easing back into your regular exercise routine
6 to 8 Weeks
Numbness fades, and normal sensation returns
Resume strenuous exercise
3 Months
Swelling dissipates
See final result
Keep in mind that patient experiences vary. If you have liposuction in multiple areas or a more significant amount of fat removed, your recovery may take a little longer.
Your Safety Is Our #1 Priority
Since 1988, more than 36,000 patients have had safe, successful procedures at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre.
Because the fat cells are physically removed, your new contour will last a lifetime. However, it’s still essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you gain weight after your procedure, it may show more in other areas where fat cells remain denser, which could affect your results. Many people find that the boost in self-confidence they experience after their surgery renews their commitment to eating well and staying in shape.
MODEL
Get Started
We make it easy to take your next steps toward confidence with 3 convenient ways to connect with our team. In just a few clicks, you can call us now, book a call, or request a call back to explore options at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre—San Diego’s most awarded and trusted cosmetic practice!
![Young woman sitting at pool wearing sunglasses and polkadot bathing suit sipping a tropical drink [360 Lipo Event] [model]](/content/uploads/2022/09/360-lipo-event-card-web-2-1000x545-2.png)
