As one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures in the country, liposuction has helped countless men and women contour stubborn bulges and better attain their desired physiques. This method of selective fat removal is considered among the least invasive body contouring procedures available and modern techniques have further refined the surgery to enhance patient comfort during recovery and maximize results. Based in Utah, Dr. Garlick uses the latest liposuction techniques to address pockets of fat resistant to dieting and exercising, often combining your fat removal with advanced techniques such as VASER^{^®} and energy-based devices to help tighten the skin and abdominal etching to provide the best possible outcome.

Keep reading to gain insight into how Dr. Garlick, an aesthetic fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, can tone, tighten, and sculpt your area(s) of concern to create a beautiful, well-defined silhouette.

Liposuction Benefits
Liposuction Treatment Areas
Liposuction Candidates
Liposuction Procedure
Liposuction Recovery
Liposuction Results
Liposuction Cost

How Can Liposuction Improve My Body Contours?

The benefits of liposuction can be extensive, particularly for a predictable and minimally invasive surgery. Not only does liposuction remove excess fat cells for good, but the procedure can:

Provide a slimmer, more sculpted look in the treated areas
Better define areas of the face and body affected by fat accumulation
Address localized fat pockets resistant to dieting and exercise
Enhance confidence and fit in clothing

Many individuals find that despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle, certain areas — such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, hips, arms, or under the chin — retain excess fat due to genetics or hormonal factors. Liposuction precisely targets these trouble zones, sculpting a more harmonious and defined appearance without altering the body’s natural shape.

Liposuction Treatment Areas

Liposuction is designed to remove excess fat from localized regions of the body, leaving behind a slimmer and contoured look in the treated areas. As such, men and women interested in liposuction should ideally have good skin tone and minimal skin laxity to help ensure the best quality of results. Liposuction can remove fat from virtually anywhere, including the:

Abdomen
Submental area (neck)
Upper arms
Thighs
Hips and waistline
Flanks
Back
Bra line
Underarms (axillary fat buildup near the armpit)

When targeting these areas, liposuction can improve definition and achieve a more athletic look. When performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, the results can look natural, long-lasting, and beautifully customized to each person’s unique anatomy and goals.

Who is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

The best candidates for liposuction are usually patients who are close to their ideal body weight but struggle with localized pockets of fat that do not respond to dieting and exercise. These stubborn areas tend to persist despite healthy lifestyle habits and can make the body appear disproportionate. Those considering liposuction should also have firm, elastic skin, as this allows proper skin contraction around newly sculpted areas. Patients with significant skin laxity or stretch marks may benefit from combining liposuction with a skin tightening procedure, such as a tummy tuck or body lift, to achieve the most balanced and natural-looking outcome.

It’s important to remember that liposuction is simply a body sculpting procedure and surgery is not a weight loss surgery. Good candidates for liposuction are generally healthy and at or near their ideal weight. Dr. Garlick will speak with you about the concerns you wish to improve as well as your overall goals to help develop the most optimal treatment plan for your needs. If your concerns include more than just excess fat buildup, he may recommend combining your procedure with options such as a tummy tuck to achieve more comprehensive results.

How is the Liposuction Procedure Performed?

Liposuction is usually an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Garlick employs the latest techniques to improve the fat removal process and minimize bleeding, including using tumescent liposuction and power-assisted liposuction with VASER^{^®} technology. At the time of surgery, a narrow surgical instrument called a cannula is inserted through tiny incisions made near the areas planned for fat removal, oftentimes in well-hidden areas. The subcutaneous fat is then broken up and suctioned out, allowing Dr. Garlick to shape the region and achieve a slimmer, smoother aesthetic look. If the abdomen is being treated, Dr. Garlick can also define the contours of the abs with abdominal etching in the right patient — an advanced technique that can reposition and extract fat to create the appearance of a “six-pack.” Advanced technology using energy-based devices for skin tightening may also be combined with liposuction to firm and tighten the skin. These complements to liposuction highlight Dr. Garlick’s meticulous attention to detail when sculpting the body and ensuring the highest standard of results.

Lipo 360°

If you’re interested in reshaping your midsection to reveal a slimmer, leaner figure, Lipo 360° may be an excellent technique for you. Lipo 360° — also known as “360° liposuction” or circumferential liposuction — aims to remove stubborn fat from not only the abdomen, but also the waist, hips, flanks (“love handles”), and lower back. As a result, this comprehensive approach provides total body contouring around the entire torso. Lipo 360° can be ideal for individuals who have exercise-resistant fat in the midsection and who want a leaner, more slender silhouette. For patients who desire an “hourglass” figure, Lipo 360° can also be an invaluable step towards achieving their aesthetic goals.

“I am very happy with my lipo results preformed by Dr. Garlick. He is amazing and very thorough, he explained the process in detail and mapped out my body for the best results. His follow-up care includes calling me at home checking on my healing and recovery . He also provided me his contact number just in case I need to reach him for any reasons. I call this above and beyond service.”

Robert G.

What Can I Expect From the Recovery Period After Liposuction?

Recovery after liposuction is generally well-tolerated and most patients are able to return to work after four to seven days, depending on the nature of their job. Swelling, mild bruising, and numbness are possible and should resolve as the healing process progresses. You can expect swelling to come and go for up to six months post-surgery. Compression garments may be placed around the treated areas to reduce swelling and help shape your new contours and will be used for six weeks following surgery. Although light daily activities can often be resumed after a few days, exercise and strenuous activity should be avoided until Dr. Garlick instructs otherwise. He will go over all recovery instructions with you to help facilitate a smooth and speedy recovery.

How Long Do Liposuction Results Last?

Liposuction results can last forever if patients maintain a stable weight, but the procedure does not prevent weight gain. Excess fat can still accumulate in fat stores around the body, which highlights the importance of preserving your results by living a healthy, active lifestyle. Although the removed fat cells will never regenerate or “grow back,” weight fluctuations can still cause surrounding fat cells to expand or shrink. Unfortunately, this can change your new body contours and potentially create the need for further liposuction in the future.

How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

In Utah and the Salt Lake City region, liposuction costs are usually much more economical than the price of the procedure in more coastal cities. While your geographic location and plastic surgeon’s experience both influence the cost of cosmetic surgery, liposuction rates are personalized based on the specific technique(s) used, the number and location of the area(s) treated, and the complexity of your treatment plan. Dr. Garlick will carefully listen to your goals in a consultation and provide you with a cost estimate based on your unique needs.

Many patients appreciate the ability to finance their procedure through reputable healthcare lending companies, such as Mountain America Credit Union and PatientFi^{^®}. These companies provide qualified patients with a selection of payment plans to help accommodate each person’s budget. If you have any other questions about the cost of liposuction, please don’t hesitate to contact our office to speak with a friendly member of our team.

Liposuction can be an excellent way to shape stubborn areas of the body and face where dieting and exercise cannot reach. If you’re considering liposuction to achieve your desired look, please contact Dr. Jared Garlick to book a consultation or to speak with a friendly member of our team.