Some areas of fat can be harder to target in men, especially the areas around the flanks, lower abdomen, chest, and under the chin. This fat resists diet and exercise because of genetic fat distribution, hormone patterns, and more. Surgical fat removal offers a direct approach for men looking to reduce these specific pockets. At Georgia Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Atlanta and Marietta, we use liposuction for men who want to improve their body contours through fat reduction. We offer several types of liposuction to provide definition in areas like the abdomen, chest, and jawline.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction removes unwanted fat through a small hollow tube called a cannula, which is inserted under the skin to loosen and suction out fat cells. It targets specific areas without affecting nearby tissue. For male patients, the approach often focuses on firm contours and sharper transitions between muscle groups.
What Areas Can We Treat With Liposuction for Men?
Neck
One of the areas treated by liposuction is the neck. We can treat fullness under the chin or along the jawline by removing excess fat. This is a common area to treat because fullness under the chin is often genetic and present in men who are otherwise fit.
Chest/Breast
Excess fat in the chest can lead to a softer or more rounded shape, sometimes referred to as gynecomastia when glandular tissue is also involved. In cases where fat is the primary issue, liposuction is often sufficient to flatten and recontour the chest. When desired, we can also remove glandular tissue through a small incision near the areola.
Abdomen
The abdomen tends to collect fat between the muscle wall and the skin, especially in men with a higher tendency for central fat storage. We break up and remove this fat through a few small incisions. This area pairs well with treatment to the flanks for a leaner look.
Waist/Flank
This is one of the most requested areas for liposuction for men, especially when fat along the sides creates a boxy or wide shape. We remove fat from the love handles to narrow the waistline and create smoother transitions between the back and abdomen.
Back
Fat along the upper and lower back can create folds that are hard to reduce with exercise. We can treat the upper, mid, or lower back depending on the distribution.
Thighs
We can treat this area when it creates an imbalance between the legs and the upper body. Removing fat from the thighs can help clothes fit better and prevent rubbing between the inner thighs during movement.
Knees
Some men develop pockets of fat just above or around the knees, which can be addressed with small cannulas and careful contouring. We sometimes combine knee contouring with treatment to the inner thigh or calf for better balance.
Types of Liposuction Available for Men
Traditional Liposuction
We use traditional methods when the fat is not overly fibrous and the goal is straightforward volume reduction. After injecting a numbing fluid into the treatment area, we insert a cannula to manually break up and suction out fat. This method allows for control and precision, especially in larger areas like the abdomen or flanks. Recovery is straightforward, although there may be more swelling compared to energy-assisted techniques.
360 Liposuction
This approach focuses on the entire midsection rather than one isolated area. We treat the abdomen, flanks, and back in a single session to improve the waistline from all angles. For men, this can help achieve more definition between the upper and lower body, especially when fat wraps around the torso.
SmartLipo®
SmartLipo uses laser energy to liquefy fat before removal, which can make the process smoother and potentially reduce bruising. The laser also delivers heat to the surrounding tissue, which may result in some skin tightening during healing. It can also help refine results in areas where skin laxity is a concern.
Ultrasonic-Assisted Liposuction
This method uses sound waves to break up dense or fibrous fat before suctioning it out. It is especially useful in men who have thicker fat layers or who have had previous surgeries that left scar tissue. By loosening the fat first, we can remove it more efficiently and with less trauma to the surrounding tissue.
Power-Assisted Liposuction
With this technique, the cannula moves rapidly back and forth while we guide it through the fat layers. The vibration helps break up fat in areas with dense tissue. It also reduces the physical effort required, which improves control and consistency. Power-assisted liposuction is a good option for larger volume removal or for treating multiple areas in a single session.
Preparing for Your Liposuction Appointment
We will review your medical history, current medications, and any past surgeries to confirm that you are a good candidate for liposuction. You may need to stop taking certain medications or supplements that increase bleeding risk, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatories, or vitamin E. Plan to arrange transportation home after your procedure and take time off from work based on the number of areas being treated. We give you detailed instructions on eating, hydration, and bathing before surgery to help reduce complications and support recovery. If you smoke, we ask that you stop well in advance since smoking can interfere with healing and increase surgical risks.
What to Expect At Your Liposuction Appointment
When you arrive, we take photos for documentation and mark the treatment areas while you are standing, which helps us map out fat distribution accurately. After reviewing the plan with you again, we begin by placing numbing fluid into the targeted areas to minimize bleeding and discomfort. We make small incisions near natural creases or hidden locations and use a cannula to remove fat through controlled movements. Depending on the technique, we may use energy or vibration to break up fat before suctioning it out. Once the procedure is complete, we apply compression garments and review detailed aftercare instructions before you go home.
What Is Recovery Like After Liposuction for Men?
You can expect swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort for the first few days. Most patients return to light activities within a few days and return to work within one week, depending on the nature of the work. Compression garments help reduce swelling and support the new contours while healing. Some areas may feel firm or uneven at first, but this improves over several weeks as the tissue settles. We schedule follow-ups to check your progress and answer any questions during the healing process.
Recovery Tips After Liposuction
- Wear your compression garment exactly as instructed. This helps control swelling, improves circulation, and supports even healing of the treated areas.
- Avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks. You can walk and move around, but lifting weights or high-impact movement should wait until cleared.
- Stay hydrated and eat balanced meals. Proper nutrition can support tissue repair and help reduce inflammation after surgery.
- Sleep with your upper body slightly elevated. This can help minimize swelling and reduce fluid buildup in those areas.
- Massage treated areas only if we recommend it. In some cases, we may advise light lymphatic massage to improve circulation and reduce firmness.
- Take all medications as prescribed. Pain management, antibiotics, or other medications support comfort and help reduce the risk of complications.
What Kind of Results Can You Expect?
Once we remove fat cells from a specific area, they do not grow back, so the changes we make are considered permanent. You may start to see early improvement within a few weeks, but final results develop gradually as swelling goes down and tissue settles. The areas we treat tend to look more sculpted and balanced in proportion to the rest of your body. Contour becomes more visible as fluid retention decreases and the skin adjusts to the new shape.
How to Maintain the Results of Male Liposuction
To support long-term outcomes, aim to keep your weight stable through consistent eating and activity habits. Untreated fat cells can still expand if your overall body fat increases. We often talk about how to maintain results during follow-up visits, including how exercise can help reinforce muscle definition around the treated zones. Focus on whole foods, strength training, and cardiovascular activity to prevent fat from returning elsewhere.
Am I a Good Candidate for Male Liposuction?
We evaluate whether your skin has enough elasticity to adapt to new contours after fat removal. If you are at a stable weight and do not plan to gain or lose a significant amount, you may be a better fit for lasting results. Good candidates are also prepared to follow post-operative instructions closely and commit to the recovery process. We will assess your anatomy, goals, and medical history before recommending a plan.
Common Questions About Liposuction for Men
Is Liposuction a Weight Loss Method?
We use liposuction to target specific fat deposits, not to reduce overall body weight. The changes are more about contour and proportion than numbers on a scale. If your goal is to reshape your body, not just lose weight, liposuction may be appropriate.
Will I Have Loose Skin After Liposuction?
Skin response depends on your age, skin quality, and the amount of fat removed. If your skin has good elasticity, it will gradually tighten over the new contours. In areas where the skin is thinner or less firm, we may combine liposuction with techniques that stimulate tightening. We assess this before surgery and adjust the approach based on your anatomy.
Can I Get Liposuction Again?
Repeat treatments are possible if you develop new areas of fat or if you want to refine a previously treated area. We recommend waiting until the results from your first procedure are fully visible, which usually takes several months. Secondary treatments can often use the same entry points with minimal additional scarring.
How Much Fat Can Be Removed?
We follow safety guidelines that limit the amount of fat removed during one session, less than five liters, depending on your body size and health. Removing too much at once can affect healing and increase risks, so we prioritize contouring over volume. We will give you a clear idea of what to expect based on your body and goals.
What Type of Fat Is Removed With Liposuction for Men?
Liposuction targets subcutaneous fat, which sits between the skin and the muscle. This is the fat you can pinch and the fat that responds to surgical removal. It does not treat visceral fat, which is located deeper around the organs. The amount and distribution of subcutaneous fat vary by area and affect which techniques we use.
Can Liposuction Help Define Muscles?
In certain areas like the abdomen, flanks, or chest, removing fat can improve the visibility of underlying muscle structure. If you already have developed muscles, the contouring effect can be more noticeable after surgery. Results depend on your anatomy and the amount of fat covering each area.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
Pricing depends on the number of areas treated, the technique used, and the time required for surgery. We provide detailed cost information after your consultation based on your specific plan. If you are considering multiple areas, we may combine them into one procedure to streamline costs and recovery.
Finding the Right Provider for Your Liposuction Procedure
Dr. Stanley Okoro, known locally as “The Bow Tie Doctor,” is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in liposuction, body contouring, and breast surgery. He is internationally recognized for his work and regularly treats patients who travel from Europe and Africa to his Atlanta and Marietta locations. As a Platinum Elite RealSelf expert and former Chief of Plastic Surgery at the National Naval Medical Center, Dr. Okoro brings both surgical precision and a global perspective to every case. His experience with advanced techniques like laser liposuction, combined with years of military and academic leadership, gives patients access to a wide range of options.
Schedule a Consultation to Sculpt Your Body With Liposuction
Liposuction can reduce stubborn fat and improve body proportions in ways that are difficult to achieve through other methods. At Georgia Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, we use multiple techniques to address the unique structure of the male body and treat patients in Atlanta and Marietta, GA, as well as Douglasville, Vinings, Woodstock, and surrounding areas. To learn more or schedule a consultation, call (770) 485-1554 or contact us through our website.