How long does a liposuction procedure usually take?

Liposuction often takes about one to three hours, although the exact time depends on how many areas are being treated and how much fat is removed.

Will I need someone to drive me home after liposuction?

Yes. Because liposuction is typically performed with anesthesia or sedation, you will need a caring adult to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.

How is discomfort managed after liposuction?

You may be directed to take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate any post-operative discomfort. Compression garments may also help reduce swelling and provide support during the early stages of recovery.

Will liposuction leave scars?

Liposuction requires small incisions, so minor scars are possible. However, Dr. Kearney carefully places incisions in discreet locations, and tand they fade significantly over time.

Is there anything that can be done to help liposuction scars heal well?

Yes. Following Dr. Kearney's incision-care instructions, avoiding smoking, protecting scars from sun exposure, and using recommended scar treatments after the incisions have healed can support proper healing.

When can I shower after liposuction?

Many patients can shower within about 24-48 hours after liposuction, but timing depends on the incision dressings and Dr. Kearney's instructions. Avoid baths, swimming, and soaking until the incisions have fully closed.

What happens if I gain weight after liposuction?

Liposuction permanently removes treated fat cells, but the fat cells left behind can still enlarge if you gain weight. Significant weight gain may change your body contours and reduce the appearance of your results.

Will pregnancy affect my liposuction results?

Yes. Pregnancy can cause weight gain, skin stretching, and other body changes that may alter liposuction results. If you are planning to become pregnant soon, you may want to discuss the timing of surgery with Dr. Kearney.

Liposuction La Jolla - Board Certified Liposuction Surgeon

Fat that won’t budge despite diet and exercise can be very frustrating. Liposuction is a surgical body-contouring procedure that can help refine areas such as the abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, arms, or back by removing localized fat and creating a smoother, more balanced shape.

Dr. Robert Kearney is a board-certified plastic surgeon in San Diego with extensive experience in body contouring and cosmetic surgery. He personalizes each liposuction procedure to the patient’s anatomy and goals, using his advanced surgical training to achieve natural-looking, proportionate results.

Schedule a consultation today

What is liposuction?

Today, liposuction with Dr Kearney is much easier. Using tiny cannulas or suction tubes, Dr. Robert Kearney removes excess fat from the desired areas. Incisions are very small and placed as inconspicuously as possible. The goal of liposuction surgery in San Diego is a permanent improvement in contour and overall proportion as well as a more flattering figure or physique.

Dr. Kearney often uses power-assisted liposuction. This employs a special cannula that uses tiny, rapid vibrations to break up fat cells, making them easier to remove. This also makes these procedures quicker and creates less tissue trauma, leading to faster recovery times.

Are you a candidate for Liposuction Surgery?

You may be a candidate for liposuction if:

You are within your ideal weight range but have a few stubborn areas of fat that bother you and you desire permanent contour changes to those areas.
You have areas of excess fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. These areas may include the chin, arms, back, chest, stomach, thighs, hips, waist, and inner knees

What are the benefits of liposuction?

No matter what kind of shape you’re in, all of us have stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to changes in diet or exercise. Certain areas tend to accumulate fat: the lower abdomen, the flanks, the thighs, the upper arms, the jowls, and others. Liposuction with Dr. Kearney can very specifically remove this fat, and it can do so with a relatively easy recovery. Plus, the incisions used to insert the cannula are so small they usually don’t require sutures, as Dr. Kearney can simply close them with Steri-strips. Dr. Kearney also has a great eye and extensive experience when contouring these areas, creating smooth, slimmer final results.

See What Our Patients Are Saying..

I have been soooo happy with the entire staff, and my results, from the consultation to just having my 9 month post op!!! Dr Kearney was so informative at the consultation, and being 4’9” and having a smaller frame i was a little nervous of how theyd turn out but i could not be happier!!! They’re still a great size without looking too heavy for my body! And i always look forward to seeing the staff since I’ve met them the first time! ❤️ Also never knew about going in through the underarms and i already have no more scars!!!!

Bethany Edwards

click here to read more testimonials

What are the risks involved with liposuction?

These are low-risk procedures, but there are some possible side effects. With a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Kearney, these are all quite rare. Risks include:

Irregular contours on the surface skin
Reaction to anesthesia
Bruising
Changes in skin sensation
Fluid accumulation
Infection

Can liposuction be combined with other procedures?

Patients often choose to combine liposuction with other procedures at our San Diego practice. Liposuction is part of every mommy makeover, where it is combined with a tummy tuck and breast lift (with or without augmentation) to address the areas affected by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Because liposuction involves only a limited recovery, it is a natural addition to many other procedures, from buttock and thigh lifts to an arm lift.

During your consultation with Dr. Kearney, the two of you can discuss these possibilities.

Is liposuction safe?

As mentioned above, modern liposuction is much different than it was back in the 1980s. Today, cannulas are small, as are the incisions needed. Dr. Kearney uses power-assisted liposuction, which limits the amount he has to move the cannula back and forth to break loose the pockets of unwanted fat cells. This decreases tissue trauma substantially and creates far less bruising.

These procedures have been performed millions of times around the world, and they have proven to be very safe and effective for removing stubborn pockets of fat.

How Is the Liposuction Procedure Performed?

He uses the tumescent technique, where a saline solution containing lidocaine is first injected into the target areas to minimize the pain and firm the fat, making it easier to remove. The solution also contains epinephrine to constrict the blood vessels, limiting blood loss and bruising. A cannula is then inserted to suction out the fat and liquid. The cannulas used in modern liposuction are much smaller, so the corresponding incisions needed to access the fat pockets are very small, usually not even requiring stitches.

Does Liposuction Require Anesthesia?

The procedure is typically performed under sedation or “twilight” anesthesia as an outpatient procedure.

Liposuction with Dr. Kearney

How Long After a Liposuction Procedure Will I See My Results?

The final Liposuction results appear after 2-3 months.

Liposuction Before and After Photos

View More Before & After Photos!

What is Recovery Like after Liposuction?

Dr. Kearney performs Liposuction in San Diego under general or local anesthesia and you may go home the day of surgery. Depending on the number of areas treated and the amount of fat removed, you are usually able to return to work a few days after the procedure. Many La Jolla patients decide to have liposuction in addition to a tummy tuck or breast augmentation surgery. Most bruising and swelling is gone within 2-4 weeks. Patients often go home with a compression garment covering the treated areas which we recommend being worn for about a month to help reduce swelling. Once pain and soreness decrease you can often switch to spandex exercise gear rather than the surgical garments.

How long will my results from liposuction last?

The fat removed by Dr. Kearney is removed permanently. Once the fat is gone, it’s gone for good and it won’t accumulate there again unless the patient puts on a large amount of weight. If you maintain a healthy weight, your results from liposuction will last the rest of your life.

When can I get back to my normal activities after liposuction?

Again, this depends in part on the area or areas you had treated. If, for instance, you had bra line fat removed, you won’t have much of a recovery. Larger areas of your upper thighs will be a little more difficult. You’ll wear compression garments or compression bandages on the areas treated, and you’ll wear these for up to one month. Most people can get back to light exercise and normal other activities in a few days. Unless you had involved, multiple areas treated, you’ll probably be able to return to work in just two to three days.

Why Choose Dr. Robert Kearney for Liposuction

Dr. Robert Kearney is a board-certified plastic surgeon in San Diego with extensive experience in body contouring and cosmetic surgery. His advanced training includes a plastic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University, a craniofacial fellowship, and previous faculty experience at the University of South Florida.

For liposuction, Dr. Kearney focuses on creating smooth, balanced contours that complement your natural proportions. He customizes treatment based on your anatomy, areas of concern, and cosmetic goals rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Liposuction can often treat several areas in a single procedure, such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, or back, depending on your goals and what can be done safely in one surgery.

Maintaining a stable weight is one of the most important ways to preserve your results. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, good hydration, and healthy lifestyle habits can help support your body contours over the long term.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Kearney Today!

If you are interested in learning more about our Liposuction procedures to see if you are a candidate, please call (858) 677-9352 or fill out a Contact Form here to schedule a consultation! Our practice is proud to serve San Diego, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Click here to contact us

Liposuction in La Jolla & Carlsbad, CA