Liposuction in 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.
- How do I find out more information about Liposuction?
- Understanding Liposuction
- Liposuction Infographic
- San Jose Liposuction Statistics
- Questions to Ask Your Liposuction Doctor
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.
How do I find out more information about Liposuction?
To take the first step towards feeling better about your appearance, call or email us for information on Liposuction in San Jose and to discuss your goals with Dr. Churukian!
Why should you get Liposuction?
Liposuction can help boost your confidence by improving your self-image. This may allow you to function better in social and work situations knowing that you look your best. Liposuction may also help to “jump-start” your personal health regimen by motivating you to maintain your new shape!
Who is a candidate for Liposuction?
Ideal candidates for liposuction are patients who regularly exercise and eat a healthy diet. Liposuction is a very effective treatment for focal areas of fat that are out of proportion to the rest of your body. Once removed, your shape is permanently altered, but you may still increase your size if you fail to regulate your diet and exercise. Pre/post-operative nutritional counseling and a food diary may be recommended. A routine physical examination and, in some cases, evaluation by an Endocrinologist may also be suggested for appropriate candidates.
When should I get Liposuction?
The right time to get liposuction is when you are healthy and near the weight you would like to be. If you can still lose weight and you can get closer to your goal weight then you should wait until that time to undergo liposuction surgery.
Being healthy means eating nutritious food, drinking plenty of water, and getting adequate sleep. If you are not eating healthy, dehydrated, and sleep deprived you should not undergo liposuction surgery. The procedure is serious and your body needs to be in the best condition possible so you can have a stable recovery.
If you smoke cigarettes you should quit smoking before your surgery. Smoking affects your body’s ability to heal after surgery. Quitting smoking for at least three months will help you recover faster after your liposuction surgery.
The best time to get liposuction surgery is when you stop taking specific medications and any dietary supplements. You should speak with your primary care physician about your current medications and how they may affect your recovery from liposuction surgery.
The time you should have liposuction depends on when you think you have the time and energy to undergo surgery and recover. You may need to speak with a psychologist or therapist to undergo liposuction surgery.
Dr. Churukian ensures that all patients are prepared to undergo liposuction surgery. You do not have to worry about any missing details regarding your procedure. When you decide to undergo liposuction surgery you will be guided through the process by consummate medical professionals.
Some patients may meet all of the above requirements but worry that they are too young or too old to undergo plastic surgery. Younger patients generally perform better during liposuction procedures because their skin is more elastic and can shrink down after fat is removed from specific areas of the body.
Older patients may not have the same skin elasticity as their younger counterparts. This may cause post-operative complications. Every patient is unique, however, and no particular age is a complete bar to liposuction surgery. Different patients may have specific physical characteristics that permit them to undergo liposuction surgery at any age without suffering serious complications.
Understanding Liposuction
There are many who may want to give liposuction a try, but may not be sure where to start. Getting any type of surgery can be intimidating, and because of this, it can be important to make sure that you are fully prepared to go ahead with it before you make any final decisions. If you think that liposuction could be for you, but aren’t certain yet, here are some things to consider.
Do Plenty of Research
If you are considering getting liposuction surgery in San Jose, CA then you need to make sure that you are doing plenty of research, including doing research on doctors who perform it, like Kirk A. Churukian MD for example. Getting surgery of any kind can be a big move, so making sure that you understand the procedure you are interested in can be important.
Do Make Sure You’re a Good Candidate
Along with doing your research about liposuction surgery in San Jose, CA you need to consider whether or not you would be an ideal candidate. Liposuction is a procedure where a suction technique is used to remove fat from your body. Many choose to have fat removed from areas like their abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. What some don’t realize, though, is that not everyone is an ideal candidate for this procedure.
Getting liposuction tends to be a better move for those that already live a healthy lifestyle. Getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet can help to keep unwanted fat off naturally, and can also help you to get better results if you opt for liposuction. What many don’t realize is that while liposuction can permanently change the shape of your body, it cannot permanently control the size, and if you do not maintain a healthy lifestyle, some fat stores may return.
Don’t Rush Into Making a Decision
If you have done your research about liposuction surgery in San Jose, CA, and doctors like Kirk A. Churukian MD then you have already made a big step in the right direction towards reaching your goals, and it is time for you to start truly assessing whether it will be right for you. However, that doesn’t mean that you should rush into making a decision. The more that you can take your time and continue to do research to ensure that it is the right move for you, the happier you are likely to be with your final results.
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.
Questions to Ask Your Liposuction Doctor
Now that you are considering undergoing liposuction with a specialist like Kirk A. Churukian MD, it’s time to find out as much as you can about your own circumstances and how they will play out around your procedure. Your liposuction surgery in San Jose, CA will not happen until you consult with a liposuction specialist and then meet with him several times more, but instead of just letting your doctor overwhelm you with information and ways in which to prepare, you can do some research on your own as well. There are plenty of questions you can ask an expert like Kirk A. Churukian MD prior to going under the laser. This list of questions can give you a good head start.
1. What Will My Recovery Time Be?
Though liposuction surgery in San Jose, CA is far less invasive today than it was several years ago with more traditional procedural standards, it is still a surgery that cannot be taken lightly. You will still experience a period during which you have to be very careful not to jeopardize your recovery with strenuous physical activity.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to get a very clear picture about your recovery time frame when you meet with your doctor. Ask your specialist like Kirk A. Churukian MD how long your recovery will be, given your own individual circumstances. The standard recovery period in the aftermath of liposuction is about two weeks, but yours can require more or less time, depending on what you’re dealing with.
2. What Kind of Liposuction is Best for Me?
Contrary to common belief, there is not only one type of liposuction available on the market today. If you want liposuction surgery in San Jose, CA, you have two or three options to choose from. For instance Smartlipo Triplex® is less invasive yet sometimes more effective than Vaser® Liposuction, it’s ultrasonic counterpart.
Your specialist like Kirk A. Churukian MD can help you understand which type of procedure is best for you. The answer will be based on several factors including your weight loss goal, your current weight, your ability to bounce back and recover, and the elasticity of your skin.
Before deciding on any type of liposuction surgery in San Jose, CA, it’s important to ask and get a clear answer about which type of surgery is best for you. Therefore you can prepare physically, financially and emotionally before you undergo your procedure.
What Body Parts Can I Have Liposuction Performed On?
No matter how much you diet and exercise, certain areas of your body may still hold onto stubborn fat. The good news is that liposuction can be performed on many parts of your body, including your stomach, hips, legs, arms, back, neck and chin. If you have trouble losing fat in any of these areas, liposuction may be a good solution.
Is Liposuction a Weight Loss Procedure?
No. One of the most common misconceptions about liposuction is that it is a weight loss procedure to treat obesity. Liposuction is actually a fat reduction procedure. It is designed for people who are at or near their ideal weight, but have stubborn fat they can’t get rid of.
Will I Have Noticeable Scars?
Many people considering liposuction have concerns about scarring. Luckily, a cannula is quite small, so the scars you may get will be tiny. Your plastic surgeon can also recommend a scar cream to help you fade any scarring.
What’s the Difference Between Liposuction and Tummy Tuck?
While liposuction and tummy tucks can both make your abdomen smaller, they are entirely different procedures. Liposuction removes just fat deposits while a tummy tuck removes both fat and excess skin. A tummy tuck may be more ideal for overweight individuals and women who are considering getting pregnant in the future. Tummy tucks leave bigger scars than liposuction.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
The cost of liposuction depends on several different factors, such as the areas you want to target, your surgeon’s experience and your geographic location. Your plastic surgeon can discuss pricing with you during the first consultation. Many surgeons offer various financing options for their clients.
How Long Will the Results Last?
Liposuction results are permanent. While you likely will not gain fat in the areas where liposuction was performed, you can still gain weight after the procedure. Therefore, it is important to continue eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Is Liposuction Safe?
Although there are always risks with surgery, liposuction is considered one of the safest plastic surgery procedures. As long as you go to a reputable plastic surgeon and are considered a good candidate for the procedure, you should have nothing to worry about. Do not hesitate to discuss your safety concerns with your plastic surgeon during your consultation.
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.
We’ve selected keywords that are not only medically and legally relevant, but also specific to procedures performed in liposuction surgery within San Jose.
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.