Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body. ⁽¹⁾

It remains one of the most popular procedures in modern cosmetic surgery. Despite healthy eating and regular exercise, many people still struggle with areas of stubborn fat. Localized fat pockets can obscure muscle tone, disrupt balance, and affect confidence. Through liposuction, patients achieve refined, lasting results that highlight their body’s natural proportions.

At his state-of-the-art offices in Beverly Hills/Los Angeles and Lancaster, Fellowship-trained Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Sean Satey combines an artistic eye with VASER high-definition liposuction technology. His methods go beyond traditional fat removal to deliver harmony, precision, and long-term aesthetic enhancement.

If you are interested in exploring your liposuction options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Satey online or by calling (424) 500-3320.

Before and After Photos

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About Liposuction

Liposuction removes unwanted fat from specific areas to improve proportion, balance, and overall silhouette. Dr. Satey specializes in a form of liposuction known as liposculpting, which takes liposuction to the next level. Instead of simply removing fat, he sculpts and shapes it in alignment with each patient’s muscle anatomy and body structure. ⁽²⁾

Liposculpting can address multiple regions of the body, including the abdomen, flanks, thighs, chest, back, arms, and neck. It is also an important step in fat transfer procedures—such as the Brazilian Butt Lift—which use the removed fat to enhance other areas.

Understanding the Fat Cell

During adolescence, fat cells increase in number. After age 20, these cells no longer multiply; instead, they expand or shrink with weight fluctuations. Liposculpting permanently removes fat cells from the treated area, as they cannot regenerate. However, if you gain weight after surgery, fat cells can still grow in untreated areas. Many of the liposuction revision patients Dr. Satey sees are unhappy with their results for this reason; areas surrounding the treated zone can appear uneven or bulge over time. This is why he highly recommends a 360-degree approach to achieve balanced, natural proportions from every angle.

VASER High-Definition Liposculpting

Dr. Satey liposculpts with VASER high-definition techniques, which allow him to sculpt the body with enhanced precision. VASER, which stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance, uses ultrasound energy to emulsify fat before removal. This technology also efficiently preserves fat cells, allowing for more optimal transfer to other areas of the body for enhancement. ⁽³⁾

Traditional liposuction focuses primarily on removing fat from deeper layers beneath the skin, which helps with volume reduction. However, Dr. Satey’s high-definition liposculpting technique targets all three fat layers: the superficial, intermediate, and deep. By carefully emulsifying and removing fat from these layers, he can define musculature more profoundly and create a naturally athletic appearance.

Male vs. Female Liposculpting

Dr. Satey customizes every treatment to the patient’s body type and goals.

For male patients, liposculpting focuses on creating a V-shaped physique, one that emphasizes broad shoulders and a narrow waistline. For female patients, Dr. Satey aims to achieve an hourglass silhouette that flows gracefully from the waist into the hips and thighs. His goal is to create balance and fluidity between the upper and lower body while maintaining a smooth, feminine curve.

For both men and women, he may combine liposculpting with Renuvion (J-Plasma) to tighten the skin and enhance tone. These advanced techniques stimulate collagen production through radiofrequency and helium gas, producing firmer, more youthful results.

Ideal Candidates

Liposculpting best suits healthy adults who are close to their ideal body weight but struggle with isolated pockets of fat. Patients should understand that liposuction is not a weight loss method but a targeted body sculpting technique. Ideal candidates include:

During your consultation, Dr. Satey will evaluate your anatomy, goals, and medical history to determine if liposuction is appropriate for you.

Personal Consultation

Your liposuction journey begins with a personal consultation with Dr. Satey. During this meeting, he will discuss your concerns, review your medical history, and identify treatment areas.

Dr. Satey will explain every stage of the process, from anesthesia to aftercare, and answer any questions you have. This meeting also allows you to view before-and-after photos of previous patients and better understand the potential results of VASER high-definition liposculpting. In the end, Dr. Satey will tailor a personalized treatment plan uniquely to your goals.

To get started on your liposuction journey with Dr. Satey, contact him and his staff online or by calling (424) 500-3320.

Procedure

On the day of surgery, Dr. Satey begins by making precise preoperative markings. After this, you will be taken to our operative suite. Once you are under anesthesia, we will cleanse your skin with an antiseptic solution to minimize infection risk. Dr. Satey then injects tumescent anesthesia, a fluid mixture containing a numbing agent and other medications that reduce bleeding and discomfort.

Using small, carefully placed incisions, Dr. Satey performs VASER-assisted liposculpting to break up and remove fat in all three layers. Dr. Satey emphasizes the importance of incision placement to keep them minimally visible as they heal. His techniques preserve the connective tissues and blood vessels.

At the end of the procedure, he places two small drains—one in the front and one in the back—to remove excess fluid during healing. Each liposuction session lasts between one and three hours, depending on the number of areas treated.

Recovery

Dr. Satey’s recovery process focuses on comfort, safety, and optimal results. After surgery, patients wear a compression garment (faja) to minimize swelling and help support the new contours. He divides garment care into two stages:

Following liposuction, most patients can return to desk work in approximately seven days, although they must avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for an average of four weeks. Drains typically stay in place until less than 25cc of the clear, straw-colored fluid collects over 24 hours.

What are Drains and Why are They Important?

Drains prevent fluid buildup in the small spaces remaining after fat removal. When Dr. Satey removes fat, the body may naturally fill the space with fluid. The drains remove this fluid to prevent complications and ensure a smoother recovery. Dr. Satey teaches his patients proper drain care steps, which include:

By following these steps, patients experience less swelling and faster healing.

Results

Liposculpting results begin to appear as swelling subsides, with full definition visible within three to six months. The treated areas look smoother, more defined, and proportionate to the rest of the body. Because liposuction permanently removes fat cells, results can last a lifetime—although it is important to keep in mind that weight fluctuations can impact results. Patients often report feeling more confident in their appearance and motivated to maintain their improved physique through consistent nutrition and exercise.

Corresponding Procedures

Dr. Satey frequently combines liposuction with other body contouring treatments, including:

During your consultation, Dr. Satey will help you build a plan that aligns with your goals and timeline.

Cost of Liposuction in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and Lancaster

The cost of liposuction depends on several factors, including the number of treated areas, anesthesia type, and any combined procedures. California law limits fat removal to five liters per session for safety reasons, but Dr. Satey always focuses on proportional results rather than quantity. During your consultation, we will provide a detailed quote and discuss financing options.

Schedule your consultation today to explore your liposuction possibilities. If you have any questions, please call either of our offices at (424) 500-3320.

FAQ

References

1. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
2. Bellini E, Grieco MP, Raposio E. A journey through liposuction and liposculture: Review. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2017;24:53-60. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2017.10.024
3. Ruff PG, Garcia O, Nykiel M, Galanis CJ. Consensus-based Recommendations for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction. Plastic and reconstructive surgery Global open. 2023;11(7):e5110-e5110. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005110