Is High BMI Liposuction painful?

During surgery, the use of anesthesia certainly helps reduce any pain or discomfort that you may experience. For post-surgery, it is common to experience mild pain, swelling, and bruising but Dr. Lissa will provide you with pain relief medication to help you through a safe and comfortable recovery.

How many appointments will I need?

The number of appointments you will need for High BMI Liposuction depends on your individual needs and the complexity of the procedure. Generally, you will be asked to return to the office a few days after surgery to remove any drains and to monitor your initial recovery. Dr. Lissa will plan these with you ahead of time and as needed.

How long until I see results?

High BMI liposuction shows more immediate and drastic results than regular liposuction due to the patient’s initial size. The ultimate results show once swelling resolves, which, on average, is the first month after the procedure.

Can I combine High BMI Liposuction with other procedures?

Yes, indeed! A high BMI Liposuction is already a combined procedure of Liposuction of various areas including the thighs, the stomach area, the arms, and more. Patients can consider achieving a better body contour with procedures such as an Awake Tummy Tuck, Abdominal Etching , Arm Lift , or Body Lift . Since patient safety is so key for this procedure given the high BMI, we specially recommend that you discuss these desires with Dr. Lissa during your initial consultation so that she can offer her expert opinion on the best and safest approach for combined procedures for you.

What are the risks associated with High BMI Liposuction?

High BMI Liposuction is a high-risk procedure given the patient’s BMI. Below are a few of the risks you might need to be aware of: Blood clots Bruising Cardiopulmonary complications Deep tissue damage Fluid retention Infection Irregular contours or asymmetries Lidocaine reaction Nerve damage Rippling or loose skin, worsening of cellulite Risks from anesthesia If you observe any of these side effects or anything out of the ordinary, long-lasting, and unexpected, please contact our office right away so that we may help you.

High BMI Liposuction in Atlanta, GA

View Our Gallery Results

Introduction

High BMI Liposuction (performed while awake)

Traditional Liposuction is performed on patients with Body Mass Indexes of 21-30, but for patients with higher BMIs, the only way to undergo risk-free liposuction is for them to first lose enough weight to get to at most a BMI of 30. Thankfully, when awake liposuction, or liposuction with local anesthesia, is performed in stages, higher BMI patients can see great shapely results without the need for general anesthesia or long recovery times. This approach is called High BMI Liposuction, or Large Volume Liposuction (LVL).

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Lisa Bootstaylor uses her expertise and this method to help obese patients achieve their dream bodies. She has been able to help patients with a BMI as high as 47 who are in overall good health. If you are interested in high BMI liposuction in Atlanta, GA, consider visiting her practice Dr. Lissa Plastic Surgery, and read more below.

What is High BMI Liposuction?

High BMI awake Liposuction or large volume liposuction (LVL) is a specialized procedure for patients with a BMI greater than 30 who are interested in fat removal. It is liposuction performed with a priority towards patient safety.

The procedure is possible through the use of awake liposuction as well as tumescent techniques which allow for less blood loss and more safety in higher-volume fat extractions.

What are the Benefits of High BMI Liposuction?

Our patients who have received high BMI liposuction in Atlanta have reported some of the following benefits:

Boost in self-esteem
Dramatic results
Less risk
Lower recovery time
Minimal blood loss during the procedure
Significant reduction of body weight and fat

Who are the Best Candidates for a High BMI Liposuction Procedure?

The best candidates for a high BMI awake liposuction in Atlanta at Dr. Lissa Plastic Surgery will have the following characteristics:

Have a good diet and exercise plan
Have elastic skin to adapt to new contours
Have excess fat in target areas
Have underlying medical conditions so more apt to awake and tumescent techniques
Not using High BMI Liposuction as weight loss surgery

What’s the First Step?

The first step to getting your high BMI awake liposuction surgery in Atlanta, GA, is to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lisa Bootstaylor. During your initial consultation, Dr. Lisa will discuss your medical history, your challenges with weight loss as well as any current medical conditions that deem you to be a better candidate for awake liposuction rather than regular liposuction. She will physically examine your challenge areas as well as the laxity of your skin, identifying target areas and techniques for your high BMI liposuction.

Once you’ve had a chance to share your questions and concerns and collaboratively arrive at the best direction for your body contouring journey, Dr. Lisa will create your customized procedure plan, and our Patient Coordinator will be able to help you schedule your appointment, also help you with pricing as well as any pre-surgery instructions.

What to Expect on the Day of High BMI Liposuction Surgery

On the day of your high BMI liposuction in Atlanta, Dr. Lisa and her staff will welcome you and get you settled in your procedure room. They will then go over your surgery plan as well as mark your target areas. An anesthetist will then perform local anesthesia or whatever is discussed during the consultation to get you comfortable with the procedure.

Once sedated, measured volumes of tumescent fluid are injected into the area that will be treated. The tumescent fluid consists of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine which keeps a handle on blood loss and also helps with mitigating pain during recovery. Small incisions will then be made, and cannulas will be inserted to suction excess fat. Dr. Lisa will then get to work, sculpting the body as per your discussed desires.

For high BMI patients to arrive at their final desired body, awake liposuction will have to be performed in stages.

High BMI Liposuction Recovery

Post-surgery, you will be monitored in our recovery room until it is decided that you are safe to be discharged. You will need a family member or friend available to drive you home in case you are still feeling some of the effects of the sedation.

Dr. Lisa might leave a few drains beneath your skin for a few days for any fluid collection to flow out and not pool under the skin. You will also be discharged with compression garments that you must wear for a few weeks to manage swelling, and bruising and help your skin wrap to its new contours.

It is common to experience minor pain, burning, swelling, bleeding, and temporary numbness. Your surgeon will prescribe you some temporary medications to prevent infection, reduce swelling, and alleviate any pain.

It is recommended that patients take off from work and their everyday activities for about two to three weeks after the procedure. Patients should also avoid vigorous activities such as exercise for several more weeks as directed or they might risk further surgeries.

How Much Does High BMI Liposuction Cost in Atlanta, GA?

The cost of high BMI liposuction in Atlanta, GA is based on several factors such as the surface area of the body being operated on, the surgeon’s fees, and anesthesia cost. For the most accurate cost of your High BMI Liposuction procedure, please schedule your consultation with Dr. Lissa so that your surgical plan can be made and then our patient coordinator can help you arrive at an accurate price.

Why Choose Dr. Lissa?

At Dr. Lissa Plastic Surgery, patients of all ages will find personalized procedures and individualized attention from one of the most talented and experienced plastic surgeons in Georgia and the United States. This should be your practice of choice for a High BMI Liposuction.

Dr. Lisa Bootstaylor was named a Top Plastic Surgeon by US News and World Report. She received her medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, did her plastic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh, and her surgical residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. She is a certified member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the Atlanta Medical Association (AMA), and the Atlanta Women’s Medical Alliance (AWMA). She is the Medical Director of Atlanta’s premiere plastic surgery center, Atlanta APC Plastic Surgery, and a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are in Atlanta, GA, have a high BMI, and have reached your maximum weight loss through diet and exercise, consider learning more about a high BMI liposuction surgery at Dr. Lissa Plastic Surgery. To schedule your initial consultation, please contact our office or use our website to fill out a consultation request form. We look forward to taking the first step with you in achieving your desired nasal aesthetic.

High BMI Liposuction FAQs

Yes, indeed! A high BMI Liposuction is already a combined procedure of Liposuction of various areas including the thighs, the stomach area, the arms, and more. Patients can consider achieving a better body contour with procedures such as an Awake Tummy Tuck, Abdominal Etching, Arm Lift, or Body Lift. Since patient safety is so key for this procedure given the high BMI, we specially recommend that you discuss these desires with Dr. Lissa during your initial consultation so that she can offer her expert opinion on the best and safest approach for combined procedures for you.
High BMI Liposuction is a high-risk procedure given the patient’s BMI. Below are a few of the risks you might need to be aware of:
- Blood clots
- Bruising
- Cardiopulmonary complications
- Deep tissue damage
- Fluid retention
- Infection
- Irregular contours or asymmetries
- Lidocaine reaction
- Nerve damage
- Rippling or loose skin, worsening of cellulite
- Risks from anesthesia
If you observe any of these side effects or anything out of the ordinary, long-lasting, and unexpected, please contact our office right away so that we may help you.

“Dr. Bootstaylor performed my plastic surgery several years ago in multiple areas. My results were amazing! She is a perfectionist.”
I don’t think there are words to describe the experience with Dr. Lissa and staff. The love and kindness is profound. They make you feel heard, but most of all, they make everyone feel beautiful. They treat you like family, not just another patient off of the street. Love, love love, Dr. Lissa Bootstaylor and the ladies of the office!
The entire staff was friendly and professional. They took the time to go over the entire procedure with me. As for Dr Lissa, she was very personable and she listened to me. And answered all my questions and concerns.

Schedule Your Consultation

Patient Resources

We’re here to help, with a number of patient resources designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out and set up your consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.