What is laser liposuction?

Laser liposuction is a technique used to reduce fat and tighten the skin, improving areas with excess fatty deposits. It uses laser energy that specifically targets fat and can tighten the skin by warming collagen beneath the surface.

The most common areas that are treated using laser liposuction are the abdomen, neck, thighs, arms, and male chest, but this procedure can also be used to improve more fibrous areas, including the flanks and bra fat. Laser liposuction is also very helpful in many revision cases where the skin has become uneven or fat is difficult to penetrate.

Dr. Reps and Dr. Burton Sundin use laser liposuction in Richmond to deliver precise, natural-looking results with less bruising and swelling than traditional liposuction.

Laser Lipo Before & After Photos

^*Individual results may vary

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What Are the Benefits of Laser Liposuction?

Many patients who have had laser lipo in Northern Virginia appreciate it because it is a minimally invasive procedure that has almost none of the side effects that come with having traditional liposuction done. Bruising, swelling, and pain are greatly reduced. Other benefits of laser liposuction include:

Can be performed on older patients
The laser allows visual guidance for the doctor
Can be performed with local anesthesia
Easier fat removal
Skin is tightened and toned
Even the most stubborn fat can be treated
Little to no downtime involved

Am I a candidate for laser liposuction?

Ideal candidates for laser liposuction in Richmond with our team would like to tighten loose skin and remove stubborn fat pockets. Candidates should meet the following requirements:

You are within 20 pounds of your ideal body weight
You are generally in good health
You have mild or moderately loose skin (not excessively loose)
You have stubborn fat pockets you would like to reduce

Laser Liposuction Compared To Other Body Contouring Options

Liposuction options differ in how they break up fat, how much they remove, and how long you’ll need to recover, so the right choice starts with your goals and the area you want treated. Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin are board-certified plastic surgeons who focus on LITTLE lipo, and they’ll help you weigh it against other approaches.

Traditional liposuction: A surgical procedure that uses a cannula, a thin hollow tube, inserted through incisions to suction fat from the body. It’s commonly used for larger-volume fat removal and typically involves a longer recovery.
Laser liposuction: Laser energy liquefies fat before it’s removed through a small cannula. It’s generally limited to small areas, and its skin-tightening effect is modest compared with options built around tightening.
LITTLE lipo: A minimally invasive option for smaller amounts of stubborn fat, using radiofrequency to help tighten the skin and typically a shorter recovery. It can also be paired with additional skin-tightening treatments, such as Renuvion, when you want extra tightening in the treated area.

At your consultation, our surgeons will examine the area, talk through your goals, and explain whether laser liposuction, LITTLE lipo, or another approach is the better match.

Can You Combine Laser Liposuction and Traditional Liposuction?

Patients often want to know if laser liposuction can be combined with traditional liposuction. The answer is yes—laser liposuction is very often used alongside traditional liposuction.

Areas may be treated with laser liposuction first. The laser will rub underneath the surface of the skin to heat it up and warm the collagen. (Over the next few months, this will help with collagen production.) This process also helps to break up, soften, and smooth out any irregularities or adhesions that may have resulted from previous liposuction procedures.

After this has been done, regular liposuction will be performed to enhance skin tightening. Both liposuction procedures can be performed during the same session.

What Happens During the Laser Liposuction Procedure?

Before your laser liposuction treatment begins, the areas that are being treated will be marked. This will serve as a topographic map for the doctor.

Local tumescent anesthesia will be used to keep you comfortable. A small incision will be made near the treatment site, and this incision will serve to allow access for both the anesthetic and the cannula.

The cannula, which houses the laser, will be inserted to heat the fat that is being removed. The cannula moves up and down in a very gentle motion as the fat melts and collagen is stimulated. The cannula then suctions the melted fat away and out of the body.

Does the Fat Ever Return?

Any fat that is removed by liposuction does not grow back; however, if you gain a significant amount of weight later, it can lead to new issues.

Your body will always need somewhere to store its fat. So if you gain new weight, the fat may appear in different areas of the body, resulting in entirely new problem areas.

If you gain an excessive amount of weight, the fat cells in the area where you had liposuction will grow and expand, but not as much as they would if you hadn’t gotten liposuction.

It’s very important for those getting liposuction to exercise regularly and eat healthy in order to maintain their post-liposuction shape.

Why Choose Us for Laser Liposuction?

Our state-of-the-art practice is led by Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin, two of the most reputable board-certified surgeons in Northern Virginia. They provide a thoughtful consultation and understand your concerns and specific needs, then design a custom treatment plan that helps you achieve the slim, sculpted figure you’ve always wanted. If you’re interested in laser liposuction in Richmond, we provide the very best. Please contact us today to find out more.

Areas We Serve Throughout Virginia

With offices in Richmond and Northern Virginia, Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery makes laser liposuction in Richmond easy to reach, wherever you live in the state. Patients visit us from across Virginia for minimally invasive fat removal with little to no downtime.

Alexandria
Arlington
Charlottesville
Chesapeake
Chesterfield
Colonial Heights
Dale City
Fairfax
Fredericksburg
Hampton
Henrico
Lake Ridge
Lynchburg
Manassas
Midlothian
Newport News
Norfolk
Occoquan
Petersburg
Prince William County
Richmond
Roanoke
Short Pump
Stafford
Virginia Beach
Williamsburg
Woodbridge

Laser Lipo FAQs

How long is recovery and when can I return to daily activities?

Laser liposuction involves little to no downtime, so most patients can ease back into daily activities quickly. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, bruising, swelling, and discomfort are typically reduced compared to traditional liposuction. Dr. Reps and Dr. Burton Sundin will give you personalized aftercare instructions, including when it’s safe to return to exercise and more strenuous activity.

How much does laser liposuction cost?

The cost of laser liposuction depends on the area of the body being treated. The average cost is between $5000 and $6000.

How many laser lipo treatments will I need?

Typically, only one session is required to achieve full results. However, in larger areas or where there is more significant fat to be removed, you may need several treatments.

Are there any risks with laser liposuction?

Laser liposuction has risks similar to other surgical procedures, including infection, dimpling or lumpiness, numbness, scarring, sagging skin, and pain.

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Laser Liposuction Richmond