Thinking of getting liposuction? Here’s what you need to know about the surgery that removes unwanted fat – with celebs like Cardi B, Sia and Amy Schumer sharing their experiences

Mar 7 , 2024

Cardi B initially denied getting liposuction but later opened up about the surgery. Photo: Getty Images

As demand for liposuction grows, so is the range of techniques: LA-based Wave Plastic Surgery Center offers BodyTite, a modern method that uses radio-frequency energy to tighten the skin

Coolsculpting, a form of cryolipolysis, is non-surgical and involves applying a device to the skin’s surface and cooling fat cells to a temperature that causes their natural death

Liposuction stands out as a popular procedure known for its ability to sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas. This surgical technique, celebrated for its direct approach to contouring and shaping, targets the stubborn fat that often resists diet and exercise. Despite its widespread acceptance and proven efficacy, liposuction carries a societal stigma, viewed by some as a “short cut” to weight loss.

Some might find that, even with a disciplined fitness regimen and a balanced diet, fat deposits in areas like the abdomen, thighs or under the chin simply do not budge. Factors such as metabolic rate, hormonal influences and genetic predispositions also play significant roles in how and where our bodies store fat, and it’s within this context that liposuction emerges as an option for those seeking to address these persistent areas.

Amy Schumer has opened up about her liposuction experience, which she underwent after endometriosis and a difficult pregnancy. Photo: Reuters

Celebrities opening up about their liposuction experiences has been a game-changer in how the world views this cosmetic procedure. Take Cardi B, for example, who talked about liposuction because she wanted to “explain to people how hard it is to process” getting liposuction done, per Hollywood Life. Then there’s Sia, who turned to liposuction after medication led to weight gain she couldn’t shake off with just diet or exercise.

Similarly, Amy Schumer candidly talked about her liposuction experience following her battle with endometriosis and a difficult pregnancy, per People, explaining how she never thought she’d go for such a procedure before that.

Liposuction surgery was first recorded in the 1920s, though the procedure as we understand it now developed in the late 20th century. Photo: Getty Images

Traditional liposuction, developed in the late 20th century, introduced a revolutionary method for fat removal by using a thin tube – known as the cannula – through small incisions in the skin to break up and vacuum fat from the body. Dr. Peter Lee, founder and CEO of LA-based Wave Plastic Surgery Center, explains that this method, known as the tumescent technique of liposuction, infuses isotonic fluid mixed with a vasoconstrictive medication such as epinephrine into the fat deposit to be removed.

“The different types of liposuction offered today are mostly variations on tumescent liposuction, differing in the volume and type of tumescent solution infused, the size and sharpness of the cannula used, and the application of different types of energy before or after the liposuction to achieve a greater degree of skin contraction,” he says.

Liposuction may entail a lengthy recovery process for the patient. Photo: Wave Plastic Surgery

While traditional liposuction marked a significant advancement in cosmetic surgery, it wasn’t without its drawbacks. The recovery process could be lengthy and uncomfortable, with patients often experiencing significant bruising and swelling; a period of downtime was required to heal.