(631) 935-0303 Request a Consultation Book Online Menu Close
Menu Close
(631) 935-0303

864 West Jericho Turnpike Huntington, NY 11743

Liposuction

Long Island Liposuction With Dr. Meredith Vandegrift

Getting rid of stubborn fat can be a tricky proposition. Diet and exercise shrink fat cells across the entire body, but can’t spot-treat problem areas. Targeted fat reduction treatments like liposuction may be necessary to eliminate fat in areas like the love handles, double chin, or abdomen. 

Address your stubborn fat with liposuction on Long Island. Dr. Meredith Vandegrift is an expert in body contouring, using the latest techniques to provide optimal body shaping to men and women living in the area. If you’re ready to shape your curves, contact our office by calling (631) 935-0303. A consultation with Dr. Vandegrift can help you learn more about liposuction and your options. If you’re ready to enhance your shape, call us today.

Liposuction Works Differently Than Diet and Exercise

From head to toe, the body has billions of fat cells. The number of fat cells in each person varies, but once you reach adulthood, it typically remains stable. When a person gains weight, the fat cells in their body swell to contain the added fat. When you lose weight, the fat cells shrink. 

Diet and exercise are two of the recommended methods for losing weight. As the body uses more calories than it consumes, it burns fat stores and the body’s fat cells shrink. Diet and exercise affect fat cells across the entire body. 

Sometimes, stubborn pockets of fat remain, even when a patient achieves their desired weight. When losing weight isn’t enough to achieve the body you desire, liposuction can shape and contour areas. In that way, liposuction allows for targeted fat removal. 

How Does Liposuction Shape and Refine?

Contrary to popular misconceptions, liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. It’s a precision contouring treatment designed to refine areas that don’t respond to diet and exercise. Permanently removing fat cells from trouble spots like your waist, hips, abdomen, or thighs creates smoother transitions. When performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Vandegrift, this procedure can give you the lean, defined silhouette you’ve always wanted. 

Modern liposuction is more customizable than ever. Dr. Vandegrift will select the technique that best fits your anatomy, goals, and skin quality. Traditional liposuction remains a reliable option for many patients, while power-assisted liposuction can remove larger volumes of fat more efficiently. In select cases, she may also use energy-assisted devices to break up dense fat and enable smoother contouring. During your consultation, Dr. Vandegrift will explain which method is best for you and why, ensuring you feel informed and confident before moving forward.

What to Expect From a Liposuction Treatment

Liposuction removes fat using suction. After making small incisions near the desired treatment area, Dr. Vandegrift inserts a long tube called a cannula into these incisions. She pushes the tube through the fat and applies suction is applied to remove fat cells. 

Liposuction allows for precise fat removal and body shaping. You can use it almost anywhere stubborn fat typically accumulates. Many patients choose liposuction to refine muscle definition, reduce love handles, or smooth the lower abdomen after pregnancy or weight changes. Whether you want subtle refinement or a more dramatic transformation, Dr. Vandegrift can tailor your procedure to the areas that matter most to you.

You can return to work and daily activities quickly after liposuction. Many patients only need a few days off from work. Bruising and swelling are common after surgery. Patients wear compression garments to hold and support the skin, fat, and muscle during healing. 

What Liposuction Can and Cannot Do for You

While non-surgical treatments are also available to reduce small, localized fat deposits, liposuction remains the gold standard for predictable, dramatic, and customizable outcomes. It gives Dr. Vandegrift fine-grained control, making it ideal for patients who want a more defined shape or want to target multiple areas simultaneously. She will help you visualize your potential results based on the aesthetic goals you describe during your consultation.

Liposuction is highly effective at removing stubborn fat and improving your body proportions, but it cannot tighten lax skin or substitute for weight loss. Patients with a significant amount of loose, hanging skin may benefit from combining liposuction with a skin-tightening procedure such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift. Dr. Vandegrift will evaluate your skin elasticity and recommend the most effective approach to help you achieve smooth, natural-looking results.

Meet Dr. Meredith Vandegrift

Dr. Meredith Vandegrift is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in breast and body rejuvenation that restores a youthful, supple appearance after pregnancy or weight loss.

While offering a full complement of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures including breast lift, tummy tuck, vaginal rejuvenation, and oncoplastic breast reduction, Dr. Vandegrift also has a special interest and expertise in both invasive and non-invasive facial rejuvenation. With a focus on keeping your look natural, she provides a holistic approach to each patient, specifically tailoring a treatment regimen that will leave you looking and feeling your absolute best.

Get Started Today!

Is Liposuction Right for Me?

Liposuction is a safe and effective procedure for many patients. Ideal candidates for this treatment often share the following characteristics.

Dr. Vandegrift recommends that patients achieve their ideal weight before scheduling liposuction. Liposuction is not a weight-loss treatment. Maintaining a stable weight after surgery is essential for long-lasting results. 

Liposuction doesn’t shrink or contract the skin. Patients with skin laxity may not achieve their desired results with liposuction alone. A procedure that removes and tightens the skin may yield better results. 

Liposuction can be transformative, but patients should have realistic expectations for their results. Dr. Vandegrift can offer valuable insight into the results you’re likely to achieve post-surgery. 

Patients considering liposuction should be in good health. Dr. Vandegrift will ask you about your medical history, including medications and supplements you use, to ensure that liposuction is safe for you. 

Smoking can interfere with the healing process and is unwise for patients who are considering plastic surgery. 

A consultation is a valuable opportunity to explore your candidacy for liposuction. If liposuction isn’t the best option for you, Dr. Vandegrift can discuss other options and alternative treatments.

Combining Liposuction With Other Procedures

Patients seeking a more comprehensive improvement can pair liposuction with other surgical procedures. For example, you may want to combine it with a breast surgery as part of your tailored mommy makeover. Additionally, Dr. Vandegrift uses a process similar to liposuction when performing fat transfer procedures.

Combining procedures can reduce your downtime, save you money, and help you achieve balanced, harmonious results. Dr. Vandegrift will recommend possible combinations during your consultation if she feels they will benefit you.

Liposuction Recovery and Results

Most patients recover quickly after liposuction thanks to the tiny incisions involved, but recovery happens in stages. Swelling and bruising peak within the first week and gradually improve over several weeks. You’ll need to wear a compression garment as directed to reduce swelling and help your healing tissues settle into their new contours. You can expect your results to continue refining over several months as swelling resolves.

Liposuction permanently removes fat cells from the treated areas. While those cells will not return, your remaining fat cells can still grow bigger if you gain weight, which may affect your appearance. Patients who maintain a stable weight through fitness and nutrition typically enjoy long-lasting improvements.

Why Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for Liposuction?

Liposuction may seem straightforward, but it is a highly technical procedure that requires training, meticulous precision, and an artistic eye. Partnering with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Vandegrift gives you access to her knowledge and commitment to safety.

 

Her expertise in body contouring allows her to sculpt natural-looking curves while minimizing irregularities and asymmetry. Patients trust her for her skill, aesthetic judgment, and dedication to delivering results that look refined, never overdone.

Schedule Your Liposuction Consultation on Long Island

Eliminate stubborn fat and enhance the shape of your body with liposuction, one of the most popular body contouring treatments in Long Island. Contact Dr. Meredith Vandegrift to learn more or to schedule a consultation. 

FAQ

Liposuction on Long Island, NY

Liposuction is not only for women. Many men choose liposuction to reduce stubborn fat in the abdomen, flanks, chest, or under the chin. These areas can resist diet and exercise, even if you are diligent about eating nutritious foods and working out daily. Dr. Vandegrift tailors male liposuction to enhance masculine contours, improve definition, and create a leaner, more athletic appearance. Whether you want to refine your waistline or remove unwanted breast tissue, this surgery can help you achieve outstanding results.

Liposuction cost depends on the number of areas receiving treatment, the amount of fat removed, and the complexity of the procedure. To ensure accurate pricing, we provide patients with an estimate after Dr. Vandegrift has had an opportunity to examine the treatment area. Schedule a consultation to find out the expected costs for your procedure.

Liposuction is a versatile procedure for almost any area of the body with excess fat. Commonly treated areas include the thighs, waist, hips, arms, buttocks, calves, ankles, and under the chin. 

Technical skill is only one part of the equation when choosing a plastic surgeon. Yes, talent is essential for achieving good results, but many surgeons possess exceptional surgical ability. Equally crucial is finding a surgeon who will listen to your concerns and validate your experience. Preparing for plastic surgery is a vulnerable time, and patients deserve to feel supported and comforted throughout the process. Dr. Vandegrift has the ideal combination of skill and compassion. Her patients delight in the care they receive as a whole person, both emotionally and physically, throughout the surgical process.

Liposuction can be very safe when performed on carefully selected patients by a skilled plastic surgeon. Dr. Vandegrift prioritizes patient safety by meeting and exceeding medical standards throughout the surgical process. Our operating room has the latest safety equipment, and we focus on safety from the first consultation through recovery. Dr. Vandegrift has an exceptional safety record.

Many of our patients choose to combine liposuction with other surgical procedures. If you’re receiving a tummy tuck or breast surgery (or any other procedure with Dr. Vandegrift), ask if you can add liposuction too. Combining treatments allows patients to treat multiple areas of the body and receive the benefits of multiple cosmetic procedures with one recovery period and less downtime.

Results are instantaneous after liposuction and continue to improve with time. Patients can typically see improvement in their body contours immediately after their procedure, but as swelling resolves, treated areas will continue to refine and improve. Most patients can wear a bikini within one to two months of liposuction. Full results are typically visible within six months.

  • It’s straightforward, with a long track record of safety.
  • It requires a shorter recovery than most body sculpting surgeries.
  • You’ll notice an immediate improvement in your trouble areas.
  • If you continue with a healthy lifestyle after surgery, the benefits will remain.
  • It can boost your self-esteem and expand the range of clothing styles you feel comfortable wearing.

One possible drawback to this cosmetic correction is that though the procedure is generally safe, some patients might have complications if they have any underlying conditions, which could lead to more problems down the road.

Some liposuction risks are specific to this procedure, and include:

  • Infection
  • Contour irregularities
  • Numbness
  • Fluid accumulation
  • Internal puncture
  • Lidocaine toxicity
  • Fat embolism
  • Kidney problems
  • Heart problems

Always make sure to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon for liposuction. Achieving board certification requires physicians to uphold the highest possible standards of medical ethics and patient safety. Dr. Vandegrift will ask you detailed questions about your health history, examine every possible scenario, and suggest the best technique for your unique body-shaping needs.

Maintain your liposuction results by eating a nutrient-rich diet full of vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins, and minimizing carbs. Avoid sugary drinks, processed foods, sweets, and chips. Stay hydrated, limit alcohol, and avoid smoking or vaping. Resume your exercise routine when Dr. Vandegrift approves.

Fat transfer is a common cosmetic surgery technique. Dr. Vandegraft uses advanced methods to achieve natural results with fat grafting, replacing dermal fillers for common concerns with facial aging,  such as creases, volume loss, and lip enhancement. Fat from liposuction can rejuvenate the face, breasts, body, and buttocks (Brazilian butt lift).

Scarring depends largely on skin quality. During liposuction, small, discreet incisions are made to remove fat from the targeted area. These incisions may be noticeable initially but will scab and gradually fade. Incisions are typically placed in natural folds or creases to minimize scar visibility.

For optimal liposuction results, preparation begins weeks in advance, including:

  • Quit smoking or using nicotine 6 weeks before surgery
  • Avoid blood-thinners and adjust prescribed medications as instructed
  • Refrain from alcohol 48 hours before surgery
  • Arrange transportation to and from surgery
  • Ensure someone can assist you at least the first night and help with household tasks, including child or pet care for a few days
  • Complete any required lab tests or evaluations

The day before your procedure:

  • Gather necessary documents
  • Sleep well
  • Don’t eat or drink after midnight

On the morning of surgery:

  • Avoid applying lotions, deodorants, makeups, and creams
  • Remove jewelry, piercings, and contact lenses
  • Shower thoroughly

Candidates suitable for liposuction typically maintain good health, are close to their target weight, and do not use nicotine. Additionally, they should have good skin elasticity with minimal loose skin. It is important to note that liposuction is intended for contouring rather than weight loss, so being close to your goal weight beforehand is recommended.

When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Vandegrift, liposuction is generally considered a safe and effective surgical procedure. However, like any surgery, it carries risks of complications, including infection, scarring, allergic reactions, and potentially unsatisfactory results.