Flank Liposuction

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Beachwood and Cleveland, Ohio

Flank liposuction is a procedure that removes excess fat from the sides of your body for a slimmer, smoother, more athletic appearance. As you age and your metabolism slows down, you may notice excess fat affecting your proportions and how you feel about your figure. This is often most noticeable in areas such as the flanks, or “love handles”.

Liposuction is a well-tolerated treatment that has helped thousands of patients transform their bodies for a better-defined silhouette. In 2023, Plastic Surgeons performed more than 347,700 liposuction procedures ⁽¹⁾ to help patients eliminate excess fat and achieve slimmer, smoother flanks.

Dr. Gregory Fedele takes an artistic approach to plastic surgery and is well known for his transformative procedures with minimal downtime. Do not wait to prioritize yourself when you are just one appointment away from achieving your dream body.

Contact our Cleveland office or call (216) 464-1616 to learn more about how we can improve your appearance with flank liposuction.

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About Flank Liposuction

Excess fat can affect the way your clothes fit, your body proportions, and your self-esteem. If you have pockets of excess fat no matter how much you exercise or eat well, we can help you permanently remove them. Liposuction is an effective treatment for reducing exercise-resistant fat that you have been unable to eliminate with lifestyle changes.

Flank liposuction focuses on the sides of the abdomen, just above the hips, an area of localized fat that can be resistant to diet and exercise. Dr. Fedele targets this excess fat, allowing patients to achieve smoother contours for a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing silhouette. To aid this process, he frequently implements “twilight anesthesia” for liposuction procedures. Twilight anesthesia, also known as conscious sedation, helps make the process more comfortable for patients. Unlike general anesthesia, where patients are completely unconscious, twilight anesthesia offers relaxation while allowing patients to communicate and follow instructions. This is beneficial for those who want to be aware without experiencing discomfort during the procedure.

For every liposuction procedure, Dr. Fedele administers a sterile solution that contains saline, and epinephrine called tumescent fluid into the treatment area before removing the excess fat with gentle suction. The solution helps to swell the fat cells for removal, reduce pain, and preserve the surrounding tissue. ⁽²⁾

Flank Liposuction Benefits

Flank liposuction has several benefits, including:

Strategic body sculpting: We can contour your body strategically with a treatment that eliminates pockets of excess fat for your desired look.
Improved body proportions: You can enjoy a slimmer shape because liposuction can balance your proportions.
Increased self-confidence: You can enjoy a significant boost in self-esteem and feel more comfortable after flank liposuction.
Minimally invasive technique: You can enjoy noticeable results with small incisions hidden along the natural folds of your skin.
Quick recovery time: You can return to your normal routines quickly after the procedure.
Customizable procedure: Dr. Fedele creates a personalized treatment plan for your individual needs.
Long-lasting effects: If you take good care of your body and lead a healthy lifestyle, you can enjoy results for many years.
Improved clothing fit: You will likely find that your clothes fit better and are more flattering in appearance after flank liposuction.

Candidates

The ideal candidates for flank liposuction are individuals who:

Are frustrated with stubborn fat in the flank area despite diet and exercise
Have good skin elasticity with localized fat deposits
Are within 30% of their ideal body weight ⁽³⁾
Are non-smokers and maintain a healthy lifestyle
Have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure

A consultation with Dr. Fedele can help assess your suitability for this procedure.

Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Fedele will ask about your medical history and current medications to determine whether or not the procedure is the right fit for you. He will discuss your lifestyle and the goals you would like to achieve. If you have photographs of the look you desire, please feel free to bring them with you. He can also combine the procedure with additional treatments to help you meet your body goals. He can combine flank liposuction with other treatments such as a tummy tuck to restore your body and help you achieve a smoother appearance.

To learn more, see our blog.

Preparation

To prepare for a flank liposuction procedure, you will need to take the following steps:

Protect your skin from the sun and avoid sun exposure
Stop drinking alcohol 24 hours before and after your treatment
Cease blood thinning medications and supplements
Create a comfortable place at home to recover
Prepare your meals
Schedule time off work
Arrange for someone to drive you home

You will also need to maintain a stable body weight in the weeks leading up to your procedure. Taking good care of yourself and prioritizing rest in the weeks leading up to your procedure and during your recovery can help you achieve the best results.

Flank Liposuction Procedure

After administering the twilight anesthesia and ensuring you are comfortable, Dr. Fedele will cleanse your skin and mark it for the procedure. He will make small incisions (usually about 0.5 to 1 cm in length) discreetly at the side of the abdomen. After making these small incisions, he will infiltrate the area with tumescent fluid to cause the fat cells to swell for easier removal before removing the targeted fat with gentle suction that preserves the surrounding tissue. He will artfully sculpt your flanks for a slimmer, more aesthetic appearance. Customized techniques utilized by Dr. Fedele ensure that results appear natural and harmonious with the rest of the body.

Recovery

During your recovery, you will need to wear a compression garment as directed to help reduce swelling. You will also need to limit your physical activity for several days and only participate in light exercise for the first week to help your body heal. We will provide specific instructions for your recovery and let you know when you will need to attend follow-up appointments so we can monitor your progress.

Most patients notice significant improvements within several weeks, with final results becoming visible over three to six months.

Results

After flank liposuction, you can enjoy feeling more comfortable in your clothing with a slimmer, smoother waistline. Since liposuction permanently removes excess fat, you can enjoy long-lasting results if you take good care of your body. Our patients enjoy a smoother, slimmer appearance and feel increased self-esteem after their procedures.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Abdominal Liposuction

Patients may wish to consider fat removal in the abdominal area in addition to flank liposuction. This can target a so-called “belly” or “pooch” below the belly button and is a particularly effective addition that helps to create more comprehensive body contouring results in the midsection. After a thorough consultation, Dr. Fedele will provide a personalized liposuction treatment plan that meets your desired aesthetic needs.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Although it is a highly effective fat-removal technique, liposuction cannot address other issues such as excess skin and the separation of muscles (diastasis recti) in the midsection. Patients interested in a tummy tuck often express concerns regarding loose skin, fat deposits, and weakened abdominal muscles after pregnancy or weight change. For those requiring less extensive changes, the mini tummy tuck uses a shorter incision and typically does not involve muscle repair. This option is ideal for those with less excess skin confined primarily to the lower abdomen.

BBL

Patients can repurpose the fat removed from their flanks and opt for a Brazilian butt lift to create a coveted “hourglass” figure. This procedure involves a unique method known as fat transfer, where fat is taken from other areas of the body through liposuction and injected into the gluteal region. This surgical technique creates a fuller, rounder buttock appearance while also contouring the hips and waist, leading to an overall balanced body silhouette.

Cost of Flank Liposuction in Cleveland

The cost of flank liposuction will depend on the size of the treatment area and the amount of fat that you would like to remove. If you need additional treatments, we can provide an all-inclusive quote after your procedure to help you meet your goals.

Contact our office or call (216) 464-1616 to learn more about how we can transform your figure with liposuction.

FAQ

Is flank liposuction painful?

No, we use twilight anesthesia for your comfort so the procedure is not painful. You remain conscious and comfortable throughout the procedure. During recovery, you can easily manage any discomfort with medication and adequate rest.

How long does the flank liposuction procedure take?

The procedure generally lasts between one to two hours, depending on how much fat you would like to remove and the size of the treatment area.

When can I return to work after flank liposuction?

Most patients can return to work within a week, but your recovery time will largely depend on the physical demands of your job.

Can I combine flank liposuction with other procedures?

Yes, you can combine flank liposuction with abdominal liposuction, a tummy tuck, or other body contouring treatments. We can discuss the most effective treatment plan for your needs at your consultation.

References

American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
Chang E, Mello K, Paskal S, Dill M, Miner LA. The Development and Implementation of an Evidence-Based Tumescent Liposuction Protocol, Online Educational Course for Perioperative Staff, and Discharge Instructions: a Quality Improvement Project. Journal of periAnesthesia nursing/Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing. 2024;39(1):24-31. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2023.06.094
Taha AA, Tahseen H. Liposuction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2020;8(4):e2783. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002783