Home | Body Procedures | Awake Liposuction

Awake Liposuction New York City

Introduction to Awake Liposuction

Staying awake during surgery isn’t a concept most people consider, but it’s more popular than you would believe. Surprisingly, many patients prefer an awake approach and choose to remain alert during their medical interventions. Numerous procedures are routinely conducted under local anesthesia, and now, Liposuction falls into that category. Transform your body with confidence by undergoing Awake Liposuction from William Lao, MD in New York City, NY. This minimally invasive approach allows you to achieve your aesthetic goals without the need for general anesthesia, so you can enjoy a quicker recovery and the results of your new body! To learn more about this technique, please continue reading the page below.

View Results

Awake Liposuction Before & After

BeforeAfter

BeforeAfter

View Gallery

What is Awake Liposuction?

Awake Liposuction, also referred to as local anesthesia liposuction, utilizes a local anesthetic to numb targeted areas, ensuring a pain-free and comfortable experience. This technique is a form of tumescent liposuction that involves infusing the treatment area with a solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine. This combination effectively numbs the area and minimizes bleeding.

Much like a standard Liposuction , this approach targets areas of excess fat and gently suctions it out, delivering smoother and more defined contours. Dr. William Lao ‘s expert touch and commitment to patient comfort make Awake Liposuction an advanced and personalized approach to body sculpting. It is best suited for patients who need minimal-to-moderate fat removal and allows for staged procedures.

It’s important to note that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, but is most effective for individuals close to their target weight with stubborn fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise.

Who are the best candidates for the Awake Liposuction procedure?

A good candidate for a New York City Awake Liposuction with William Lao, MD should have the following characteristics:

Are you in good health?
Close to their ideal weight
Have specific areas they wish to target
Maintains realistic expectations for procedure results
Willing to practice proper dieting and routine exercise to maintain results

Unfortunately, those with excessive sagging skin or who weigh over 30 percent more than their goal weight may not be good candidates. If you have any questions or concerns about your candidacy, the best way to find out your eligibility is to contact our practice and schedule your consultation with Dr. Lao.

What are the benefits of Awake Liposuction?

Awake Liposuction in New York City offers a range of benefits that redefine the traditional approach to body contouring. Some of the key advantages include:

Allows communication during the procedure
Precise and customizable
A quicker and more comfortable recovery
Has an enhanced level of safety
Produces natural-looking results
No general anesthesia risks or postoperative nausea

What to expect on the day of Awake Liposuction surgery

On the day of your treatment, the process begins with checking in, followed by a meeting with Dr. Lao to address any last-minute queries and create necessary surgical markings. Subsequently, you’ll be taken into surgery and receive local anesthesia from our Anesthesiologist.

The procedure closely mirrors traditional Liposuction, with Dr. Lao making small incisions (usually between 0.4 and 0.8 cm in length) and inserting a slender cannula into the targeted area. The cannula delicately breaks up and suctions out unwanted fat deposits. After the excess fat removal, Dr. Lao closes the incisions using bandages and surgical tape. Following the procedure, you’ll spend some time in our recovery room until deemed safe for release.

The duration of this procedure can vary, spanning between one and four hours, contingent on the surgical location and the amount of fat to be removed.

Woman with toned stomach wearing underwear

Awake Liposuction recovery

Recovery time after Awake Liposuction is generally shorter compared to traditional liposuction, with patients often able to return to work and resume light activities within a few days to a week. You can expect to experience some pain and swelling in the treated area, as well as some fluid drainage from the incisions. To control swelling and help your skin better fit its new contours, you may need to wear a compression garment for a few weeks. A small drainage tube may or may not be inserted beneath the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid build-up.

It is important to follow the post-operative instructions provided by Dr. Lao for optimal healing. Final results are usually noticeable after one month.

What’s the First Step?

The first step in getting an Awake Liposuction in New York City is to contact the office of William Lao, MD. When you come in for your consultation with Dr. Lao, he will discuss your body goals, examine the area you are looking to improve, and answer any questions you may have. He will ask you some medical and lifestyle-related questions as well. It is very important to be open and honest with him when discussing your history and surgery as it will help prevent unnecessary risks.

If either of you decide to move forward with the procedure, Dr. Lao will create your surgical plan and our Patient Coordinator will help schedule your surgical date and provide you with instructions to follow that will help you have the safest and most successful outcomes possible.

Why Choose Dr. Lao?

When considering an Awake Liposuction in New York City, look no further than William Lao, MD. He is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon in both the USA and Taiwan who has dedicated himself to providing patients with personalized care and results that look stunningly natural. Dr. Lao is a proud and active member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). Among the numerous honors and awards that highlight his skills and research, Dr. Lao has also been recognized as one of the NY TopDocs .

How much does Awake Liposuction cost in New York City, NY?

The average cost of Awake Liposuction in New York City typically starts at $4,000 and can range up to $12,000 or more. Prices vary based on factors such as the areas treated, the amount of fat to be removed, anesthesia costs, and surgeon fees. For a personalized cost estimate and detailed information about the procedure, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. William Lao. During your consultation, our patient coordinator will provide a tailored quote and address any questions you may have regarding awake liposuction.

FAQs

Is Awake Liposuction painful?

Not at all! The treatment area is fully numbed to prevent pain and minimize discomfort, and the anesthesia will provide you with a more comfortable experience. Some patients may experience a mild level of discomfort or feel some sense of pressure during the procedure, but Dr. Lao will be able to talk with you throughout the procedure to ensure your comfort.

How many appointments will I need?

The Awake Liposuction procedure typically involves a single appointment for the actual procedure, allowing patients to achieve their desired results with minimal disruption to their schedule. Dr. Lao and his team aim to streamline the process, providing a convenient and effective solution for individuals seeking body contouring through Awake Liposuction. In some cases, patients may choose to stage their procedure which allows for multiple areas to be treated, just spread out over a few weeks. If this is something that Dr. Lao would feel is best for you, or if it’s something that you’re interested in, he can discuss this option during your initial consultation.

How long until I see results?

Every patient will have a unique recovery process, however, the full results will become more apparent as any post-operative swelling subsides. Many patients experience a noticeable enhancement in the treated areas within the first few weeks following the procedure but should expect final results to be more noticeable after a month post-surgery.

Can I combine Awake Liposuction with other procedures?

Absolutely! Many of our NYC. Awake Liposuction patients elect to have additional body contouring procedures performed to achieve their ideal body, such as Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck, or something non-surgical like BOTOX or Dermal Fillers. If you have any areas of your face or body that you would like to address, please discuss it with Dr. Lao during your consultation and he will be more than happy to provide you with his expert recommendations.

What are the risks associated with Awake Liposuction?

Since the risks associated with general anesthesia are eliminated, Awake Liposuction is a safer option than traditional liposuction for many patients. Dr. Lao takes great pride in his ability to perform safe and successful procedures, however, as with any procedure, there’s always a possibility of complications. Although rare and very minor, the risks of awake liposuction can include:

Bleeding
Dimpling
Infection
Loose skin
Lumpiness
Numbness
Scarring
Skin irregularity
Uneven contouring

If you experience any concerning or long-lasting reactions, please do not hesitate to contact our office immediately.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re looking to achieve a better body, but have concerns or anxieties about being completely sedated, Awake Liposuction in New York City can provide you with stunning results. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Lao, please contact our practice today! You can also request an appointment through our website and a member of our team will be happy to schedule your consultation.

Real patients

Real Reviews

I feel very blessed and fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet such a talented young Doctor. I am 57 year old female. In December 2014, I had a facial procedure done. My eyelids top & bottom and face was lifted. I am 100% satisfied with the results. People see me and they say I look 10 years younger. My confidence level is off the charts. I can’t say enough about Dr. William Lao. He was kind, considerate, compassionate and caring. We had open communication through emails & telephone calls. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Lao, considering I interviewed 8 different plastic surgeons. Dr. Lao, is a graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical School which is one of the finest institutions in the world. Dr. Lao I will be forever grateful. Thank you.

D, 57, retired police officer, Queens, USA

I have uneven eyelids result from a previous double eyelid surgery years ago. One day I decided to have it corrected. Prior to meeting with Dr. Lao, I was on the verge of giving up the idea of surgery since the first Doctor I saw told me that my situation is not treatable. Consultation (which is free) with Dr. Lao was easy and pleasant. Dr. Lao told me that my problem can be easily solved with minimum invasive suture technic. That is exactly what I had hoped for!! As a plastic surgeon, I think Dr. Lao possesses a great deal of aesthetic sense, as well as good medical skills. At the meeting, he pointed out that my upper eyelids are sunken, a fat grafting procedure would enhance my appearance, so we decided to have both procedures done at the same time. I am so glad I did it, because the surgery had transformed my eyes. A couple of weeks after the surgery, the eyes looking natural, the result is beyond anything I had expected. I love my new eyes! This entire process is so easy. I am so grateful!

Lily, Female 5 Star Google Review

Dr. Lao’s attention to my hopes for an improved appearance resulted in just the outcomes I desired. I asked for a forehead lift which he executed beautifully. At his suggestion, I also received an eyelid enhancement wherein the area was refreshed with fat from my abdomen to create a more youthful appearance. The results are amazing.

Further, he went above and beyond when I hit a snag in arranging for post procedural care and helped me arrange for a home attendant. His care was thorough, thoughtful and sensitive to my individual needs. I highly recommend his services.

J, 67, Caucasian, Retired, New York, USA