Liposuction in NYC
Dr. Michelle Zweifler is a board-certified plastic surgeon with an office on Park Avenue in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, welcoming patients from across New York City.
Overview
Liposuction removes localized pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise, reshaping and refining body contour. Dr. Zweifler performs liposuction on the abdomen, back, hips, thighs, legs, ankles, arms, chest, and neck, either as a standalone procedure or combined with other body contouring surgery.
Am I a Candidate?
Ideal candidates are at or near a stable, healthy weight with firm, elastic skin and localized areas of stubborn fat — liposuction contours fat, it isn’t a weight-loss procedure or a substitute for one.
The Procedure
A thin cannula is inserted through small incisions, a wetting solution is used to minimize bruising and bleeding, and fat is removed by suction. Several techniques are available — traditional, power-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, and laser-assisted — and Dr. Zweifler will recommend the approach best suited to the treatment area and your skin quality. This is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the areas treated.
Recovery & Results
Most patients return to non-strenuous work within a few days to a week, wearing a compression garment for several weeks to support healing skin. Swelling can take a few months to fully resolve, with final contour visible around that time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the fat come back?
Fat cells removed by liposuction don’t return, but remaining fat cells can still grow with significant weight gain.
Can liposuction tighten loose skin?
Liposuction addresses fat, not skin laxity — patients with significant loose skin are often better served by a procedure like a tummy tuck or arm lift that removes skin directly.
Which areas can be treated with liposuction?
Liposuction is commonly used to contour the abdomen, flanks (love handles), hips, thighs, arms, back, and the chin and neck. Dr. Zweifler will recommend the best approach for your goals at consultation.
Is liposuction a weight-loss procedure?
No. Liposuction is designed to contour stubborn areas of fat, not to treat obesity. It tends to work best for patients who are near their goal weight and have good skin elasticity.
What is recovery like after liposuction?
Swelling and bruising are expected, and a compression garment is typically worn for a period of time after surgery. Patients gradually return to normal activity as directed by Dr. Zweifler, and the final contour emerges over several months as swelling subsides.
Before & After
