Liposuction Surgery San Jose, CA

Dr. Churukian performs liposuction surgery San Jose, CA using three different techniques:

• Traditional or “tumescent” liposuction
• Vaser® Liposelection® ultrasonic-assisted liposuction
• Smartlipo Triplex® laser-assisted liposuction

Ever wonder why or how liposuction works? To understand why and how liposuction works, we must first discuss the characteristics of fat.

Sculpt Your Body By Targeting Stubborn Fat Deposits

Despite maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine, you’re still struggling with localized fat deposits that refuse to budge—those frustrating bulges around your abdomen, thighs, or flanks that undermine your confidence and prevent you from feeling comfortable in your clothes. We’ve helped numerous patients overcome this exact frustration when they’ve exhausted non-surgical options without achieving the body contours they desire. Dr. Kirk A. Churukian brings surgical precision and aesthetic judgment to body contouring procedures, helping you achieve the sculpted, proportionate silhouette that reflects your dedication to health and fitness.

Liposuction Surgery San Jose, CA

Liposuction surgically removes localized fat deposits that resist diet and exercise, reshaping specific body areas to create more balanced, attractive contours. The procedure works by inserting a thin tube called a cannula through small incisions, then using suction to extract unwanted fat cells permanently. Common treatment areas include the abdomen, flanks (love handles), thighs, hips, upper arms, back, and beneath the chin. Some patients benefit from treating multiple areas during a single procedure for comprehensive body transformation.

We know that stubborn fat does more than affect your appearance—it impacts how you feel about yourself and can make you avoid certain clothing styles or situations where your body is more visible. That’s precisely why you’re seeking a solution that delivers definitive results rather than marginal improvement. San Jose liposuction surgery requires careful technique to remove appropriate amounts of fat while creating smooth, natural-looking contours. Modern methods have evolved significantly, with techniques like tumescent liposuction minimizing blood loss and power-assisted or ultrasound-assisted approaches allowing for more precise fat removal in fibrous areas.

The procedure is not a weight loss solution but rather a body contouring method for people who are already at or near their goal weight. Ideal candidates have good skin elasticity that allows the skin to contract smoothly over newly contoured areas. Recovery typically involves wearing compression garments for several weeks, with most patients returning to work within one to two weeks and resuming full activity within four to six weeks. Results continue improving as swelling subsides over several months, revealing final contours.

Our Commitment To Safe, Effective Body Contouring

We’ve dedicated our practice to delivering body contouring results that look proportionate and natural while prioritizing patient safety throughout the process. Our approach combines technical skill with an eye for aesthetic balance. Here’s what sets our practice apart:

• Advanced Surgical Training: Dr. Churukian completed his plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center, receiving comprehensive training in body contouring techniques and patient safety protocols
• Accredited Surgical Facility: Our office operating room maintains full AAASF accreditation, meeting rigorous standards for equipment, staff qualifications, emergency preparedness, and surgical safety measures
• Personalized Treatment Plans: We evaluate your body proportions, fat distribution, and aesthetic goals to create customized surgical plans that address your specific concerns and deliver harmonious results
• Comprehensive Patient Care: We provide thorough preoperative preparation, attentive surgical execution, and detailed postoperative monitoring to support optimal healing and address any questions during recovery

We’ve helped numerous patients achieve their body contouring goals through various liposuction techniques. Dr. Kirk A. Churukian has extensive experience performing liposuction on different body areas and understands how to create balanced, natural-looking results. Our approach focuses on sculpting and shaping rather than simply removing fat, taking into account your overall proportions and aesthetic goals. Whether you’re addressing one problem area or seeking comprehensive body contouring, we can develop a surgical plan tailored to your needs.

Types Of Treatments Available

Our parents pass on genes that determine the location of fat cells, and this determines the shape of our bodies. Fat cells function as storage units for fat and following puberty, the amount and distribution of these cells does not change. When you gain weight these cells swell, and with loss of weight, they will shrink. Optimizing your diet and exercise (and in some cases metabolism) will only reduce your size and weight. Your shape will remain the same. Dieting will not change your shape or “spot” reduce. When performing liposuction in San Jose, Dr. Churukian can help you permanently change the shape of your body by removing fat to improve the symmetry and contour of problem areas like the hips, waist, and thighs.

Vaser® Liposuction

Ultrasonic assisted liposuction is sometimes known as Vaser® Liposuction Vaserlipo®, or Liposelection®. You may also see this system advertised under the name of Vaser Hi Def® which is a more aggressive type of liposuction procedure. With these procedures, amplified ultrasonic sound waves are used to gently break apart fat cells, which are then removed using a conventional liposuction cannula. Vaser® Liposuction can be an effective tool for removing large volumes of fat to create a better shape and contour.

Smartlipo Triplex®

Laser-assisted liposuction can improve both the contour of your body while improving tightness of loose skin. Stanford Cosmetic Surgeons perform Smartlipo® laser-assisted liposuction to tighten loose skin in areas such as the inner thighs, arms, and lower abdomen. Three different lasers are used to destroy fat cells and tighten the skin in patients with skin that has lost elasticity. The fat is then removed using a conventional cannula. This helps to improve both shape and skin contour.

Cellulite Treatment

Cellulaze® is a special attachment onto the Smartlipo Triplex® device and is used to improve areas of cellulite on the legs and buttocks. It can provide a 30-80% improvement in the appearance of cellulite of the legs and buttocks.

Typical recovery is 2-7 days depending on the amount of liposuction performed. Early results can be seen in 4-6 weeks with final results at 6 months for most patients. Return to normal activity and exercise is typically 2 weeks. Physician follow-up is needed for at least 6 months and optimally for 1 year.

Types Of Liposuction Procedures We Perform

Some stubborn fat deposits simply won’t budge no matter how much you exercise or diet. These problem areas can be frustrating when you’re working hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle but still can’t achieve the body contours you want. Liposuction offers a solution by permanently removing fat cells from specific areas, creating smoother, more proportionate body contours. The procedure has evolved significantly over the years, with refined techniques that minimize discomfort and recovery time while maximizing results.

• Tumescent Liposuction Technique: This gold standard method involves injecting a solution of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine into the treatment area before fat removal. The solution minimizes bleeding, reduces discomfort, and makes fat removal easier and more precise. Most liposuction procedures we perform use this fundamental technique as the foundation for fat removal.
• Power-Assisted Liposuction: PAL uses a specialized cannula that vibrates rapidly to break up fat cells, making removal easier and more efficient. This technique allows for more precise sculpting and can be particularly useful in fibrous areas or for patients who have had previous liposuction. The reduced physical effort required often means less trauma to surrounding tissues and potentially faster recovery.
• Ultrasound-Assisted Fat Removal: Ultrasonic energy liquefies fat cells before removal, which can be beneficial in dense or fibrous areas like the upper back or male breast tissue. This method allows for more thorough fat removal in challenging areas while potentially tightening the skin through the thermal effect. We often combine this technique with traditional liposuction for optimal results in specific body areas.
• Abdominal Contouring: The abdomen is one of the most common areas treated with liposuction, addressing both the upper and lower belly. We carefully sculpt the area to create natural-looking contours while avoiding over-treatment that could create an unnatural appearance. Abdominal liposuction can be performed alone or combined with tummy tuck surgery for patients with excess skin.
• Flanks and Love Handles: Excess fat on the sides of your torso can be resistant to diet and exercise, creating an unflattering silhouette. Liposuction of the flanks creates a smoother transition from your waist to hips and enhances your overall body proportions. This area typically responds very well to treatment with noticeable, lasting results.
• Back Fat Reduction: Upper and lower back fat can create bulges that are visible under clothing and affect your overall silhouette. We can address bra line bulges, lower back rolls, and the area around your waistline for a smoother back contour. Back liposuction often dramatically improves how clothing fits and your confidence in fitted garments.
• Thigh Contouring: Inner thighs, outer thighs, and anterior thighs can all be treated with liposuction to create slimmer, more proportionate legs. Inner thigh treatment can eliminate rubbing and chafing while outer thigh contouring addresses saddlebags. We carefully plan incision placement to hide any small scars in natural creases.
• Arm Sculpting: Upper arm fullness can be embarrassing and limit your clothing choices, particularly in warm weather. Liposuction removes excess fat from the upper arms to create slimmer, more toned-looking arms. For patients with significant skin laxity, we may recommend combining liposuction with arm lift surgery.
• Neck and Jawline Definition: Submental fat creates the appearance of a double chin and obscures jawline definition. Liposuction under the chin and along the neck creates a more defined profile and can make you look younger and slimmer. This procedure is often combined with other facial rejuvenation treatments for comprehensive improvement.
• Male Chest Contouring: Gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, can be treated effectively with liposuction alone or combined with tissue excision. We remove excess fat and sometimes glandular tissue to create a flatter, more masculine chest contour. This life-changing procedure helps men feel more confident shirtless and in fitted clothing.
• Hip and Buttock Reshaping: Liposuction around the hips can create curves or eliminate them, depending on your goals. We can also remove fat from the lower buttocks to create a more lifted appearance or sculpt the upper buttocks for better shape. Hip and buttock contouring often complements other body procedures for balanced results.
• 360-Degree Body Contouring: Comprehensive liposuction addressing the entire torso creates dramatic transformation and balanced proportions. We treat the abdomen, flanks, back, and sometimes additional areas in a single procedure for circumferential improvement. This approach requires careful planning and typically involves longer surgery time and recovery.

San Jose Liposuction Surgery requires thorough evaluation to determine if you’re a good candidate and which areas should be treated. We assess your skin quality, fat distribution, overall health, and aesthetic goals during consultation. The best candidates are within 30 pounds of their ideal weight and have good skin elasticity.

The procedure itself can take one to several hours depending on how many areas we’re treating. Most liposuction can be performed with local anesthesia and sedation in our office surgical suite, though larger procedures may require general anesthesia. You’ll need someone to drive you home and should arrange for help during the first day or two of recovery.

Understanding Liposuction Infographic

San Jose Liposuction Statistics

According to a study done by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), liposuction was the most-performed surgery of 2022, up a significant 23% from 2019. The ASPS, which represents 92% of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States, reported that about 1.5 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in 2022, and about 325,000 of them were liposuction.

Liposuction continues to be one of the most commonly performed cosmetic-surgical procedures worldwide. Global aesthetic-surgery data indicate that liposuction topped the list of surgical procedures, with more than 2 million treatments conducted annually.

In the U.S., liposuction consistently ranks among the top surgical cosmetic interventions. Historically, it has held the #1 spot in many reports, and its appeal lies in targeted body-contouring—removing stubborn fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise.

San Jose Liposuction Surgery FAQ

Some areas of stubborn fat simply won’t respond to diet and exercise, no matter how disciplined your lifestyle. These resistant fat deposits can distort your body’s natural contours and undermine your confidence, leaving you frustrated with your reflection. Liposuction provides a proven solution by permanently removing these unwanted fat cells, sculpting a more proportionate physique that reflects the effort you’ve put into maintaining your health and fitness.

Who Makes A Strong Candidate For Body Contouring?

We look for patients who are within 30 pounds of their ideal weight with localized fat deposits that resist diet and exercise. Good candidates have firm, elastic skin that will contract smoothly after fat removal. If you’re in overall good health, don’t smoke, and maintain realistic expectations about surgical outcomes, you’re likely suitable for this procedure. Common treatment areas include the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, back, and chin. We don’t recommend liposuction as a weight loss method or treatment for obesity—it’s a body contouring tool for people already at or near their goal weight. Medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or blood clotting disorders require careful evaluation. Dr. Kirk A. Churukian will assess your skin quality, examine areas of concern, review your medical history, and discuss whether liposuction aligns with your body contouring goals.

What Takes Place During The Surgical Process?

We perform liposuction using tumescent technique, which involves injecting a solution of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine into treatment areas before fat removal. This fluid minimizes bleeding, reduces discomfort, and makes fat easier to remove. Once the area is prepared, we make small incisions and insert thin cannulas connected to a vacuum device. We move these cannulas systematically through fat layers, breaking up and suctioning out unwanted cells. The procedure typically takes one to four hours depending on how many areas we’re treating and the volume of fat being removed. San Jose Liposuction Surgery can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation for smaller areas or general anesthesia for more extensive work. We sculpt strategically to create smooth, natural-looking contours while avoiding over-removal that could create irregularities.

Why Surgical Fat Removal Outperforms Non-Surgical Methods?

Liposuction provides permanent fat cell removal that non-invasive treatments cannot match. Once we remove fat cells, they don’t regenerate, offering lasting results provided you maintain stable weight. The procedure allows precise sculpting of body contours with predictable outcomes. Non-surgical options like CoolSculpting or laser treatments require multiple sessions with more modest results and can take months to show full effects. Liposuction addresses larger volumes of fat in a single procedure and works on areas that often don’t respond well to non-invasive methods. We can treat multiple body areas during one surgery, making it more efficient and cost-effective for comprehensive contouring. The removed fat can even be processed and used for fat grafting to enhance other areas. For people frustrated by stubborn fat deposits despite healthy lifestyles, surgery offers definitive improvement that exercise alone cannot achieve.

How Recovery Progresses Following Your Procedure?

Expect swelling, bruising, and soreness in treated areas for the first few weeks after surgery. We’ll provide compression garments to wear continuously for four to six weeks, which minimize swelling and help skin contract smoothly. Most people return to desk work within three to seven days, though you’ll feel tired and sore. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for four to six weeks while your body heals. Initial swelling obscures your final results—you’ll notice improvement within a few weeks, but complete results emerge over three to six months as residual swelling resolves and skin tightens. Some numbness in treated areas is normal and typically resolves within several weeks to months. Maintaining proper hydration, following post-operative instructions, and attending all follow-up appointments promotes optimal healing. Light walking soon after surgery helps prevent blood clots and reduces swelling.

How Long Results Last With Weight Maintenance?

Liposuction provides permanent fat cell removal from treated areas. The fat cells we remove won’t return, making results essentially permanent if you maintain stable weight. However, remaining fat cells can still expand if you gain significant weight, potentially diminishing your results. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition and regular exercise preserves your improved contours. Most people find it easier to maintain their weight after liposuction because they’re more satisfied with their appearance and motivated to protect their investment. Aging will continue affecting your body, and skin may lose some elasticity over time, but the fundamental improvement in body proportions remains. If you gain modest weight after surgery, it typically distributes more evenly across your body rather than accumulating disproportionately in previously problematic areas. Many people maintain their liposuction results for decades with proper weight management.

Call Dr. Kirk A. Churukian Today!

If you’re ready to eliminate stubborn fat deposits and achieve the sculpted body contours that diet and exercise alone haven’t provided, we invite you to explore your options with our team. We’ll assess your candidacy, discuss which areas would benefit most from treatment, and explain what you can realistically expect from the procedure. Contact our practice today to schedule your private consultation and discover how liposuction can help you achieve the body confidence you’ve been working toward.

Liposuction Surgery Glossary

Liposuction procedures are a common choice for people seeking body contouring solutions. Patients in San Jose, CA considering liposuction often want to better understand the terms and processes involved. This glossary outlines five specific legal and procedural terms related to liposuction surgery that could come up in consultations, records, or informed consent discussions. These definitions aim to help clients better understand key aspects of their procedure and how it may be discussed in a medical or legal context.

Informed Consent

Informed consent is a legal and medical term describing the process by which a patient voluntarily agrees to a proposed medical procedure after understanding its risks, benefits, and alternatives. For liposuction surgery in San Jose, CA, informed consent must be obtained before any procedure begins. This includes providing detailed information on what the procedure involves—such as the use of laser-assisted liposuction or ultrasonic-assisted liposuction—and the possible side effects and outcomes. Patients typically sign a document that outlines this information, and that form can later be used as proof that proper consent was obtained.

This process is critical because it affirms that the patient is making a voluntary and educated decision about their care. Any changes in technique or scope of surgery must also be covered under an amended consent form, especially if additional procedures are needed.

Standard Of Care

Standard of care refers to the level of attention, caution, and prudence that a qualified health care professional would provide under similar circumstances. In the context of liposuction, this standard includes pre-operative evaluations, the surgical technique used (such as tumescent, Vaser®, or Smartlipo Triplex®), and post-operative monitoring.

For example, if a patient undergoes Smartlipo for skin tightening around the thighs, and the procedure deviates significantly from what other surgeons in San Jose would typically do, this could be questioned in a legal context. The standard of care acts as a benchmark to assess whether a medical provider acted appropriately throughout the treatment.

Medical Disclosure

Medical disclosure involves the obligation of the surgeon or practice to disclose relevant details to the patient before the procedure. This can include explaining side effects, likely recovery times, and potential complications. For liposuction surgery, medical disclosure would include details like expected swelling duration, risks of scarring, or the permanence of fat removal.

Full disclosure is not just ethical—it is required by California state law. It must be clear and understandable, avoiding medical jargon unless it is explained. Patients should be given ample time to ask questions about the specifics of liposuction techniques such as Vaser® or Smartlipo Triplex® and how they may impact results or recovery.

Postoperative Care Instructions

This term refers to the set of guidelines provided by the surgical office to support a safe and efficient recovery following the procedure. In San Jose liposuction cases, postoperative care often includes information about managing swelling, medication schedules, wearing compression garments, and avoiding certain physical activities.

These instructions are usually written down and must be followed closely to avoid complications. If not followed, it could prolong recovery or result in unsatisfactory outcomes. Clear documentation of these instructions is also often required in the patient’s medical file.

Patient Eligibility Evaluation

Patient eligibility evaluation is the formal assessment conducted by the surgical provider to determine if someone is a suitable candidate for liposuction. This includes reviewing medical history, current health status, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle habits such as smoking or lack of exercise. In San Jose, practices may also recommend physical exams and consultations with additional specialists, such as endocrinologists, to rule out underlying medical conditions.

Evaluating patient eligibility helps reduce the likelihood of poor results or surgical complications. For instance, a patient with low skin elasticity may be advised to consider an alternative or supplemental procedure for better outcomes. These evaluations are documented and may be referenced if questions arise about whether the patient was appropriately selected for surgery.

When planning a liposuction surgery San Jose, CA residents can benefit from learning about these key legal and procedural terms. Doing so offers clarity on the steps involved and supports more productive discussions with your provider. For those considering procedures involving tumescent, Vaser®, or Smartlipo Triplex®, it’s essential to work with a team experienced in patient education and safety.

We invite you to take the next step by contacting Dr. Kirk A. Churukian to discuss your options. Schedule a consultation to learn more about whether liposuction is the right fit for your goals.

Contact Dr. Churukian Today

Preparing for a successful liposuction procedure means following the directions given to you by your primary care physician and your plastic surgeon. Dr. Churukian will advise you on the best preparation procedures to follow as you get ready to undergo liposuction surgery.

Your physical and mental recovery is just as important as the actual procedure. Every detail related to liposuction surgery will affect how long it takes you to recover. Contact Dr. Churukian today to schedule a free consultation during which we can discuss the best plan for you.