26 Jan 2026
Liposuction, a surgical procedure to remove pockets of excess fat, continues to gain popularity. According to the latest statistics, it currently occupies the top spot globally for surgical body contouring treatments. The reason for this is straightforward. In the hands of a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as myself, who specializes in body contouring, liposuction is a safe, effective method for restoring proper proportion. It appeals to men and women of all ages due, in large part, to its versatility. Almost any area of your body with excess subcutaneous fat may be treated with liposuction. However, some areas respond better to liposuction than others. Here is why.
Types of Fat & Liposuction
In order to understand why certain areas of your body may respond better to liposuction than others, it is important to distinguish between the different kinds of fat in the body. There is:
- Visceral Fat
- Subcutaneous Fat
Not all fat is created equal. Visceral fat is located deep in your tissues and around your organs. This is the kind of fat that will make a patient’s belly, for example, pooch out over their waistband, but which cannot be “pinched” or pulled away from the body. Visceral fat must be reduced through changes in your diet and exercise routine as liposuction only works on subcutaneous fat. Figuring out which kind of fat is causing your body dissatisfaction is best achieved with an in-person consultation.
Liposuction Consultation in Boston
During our meeting, I will listen to what bothers you about your body. We will discuss your medical history, family history, lifestyle and prior procedures, if any. I will then perform an in-depth physical exam to assess:
- Areas & quantity of excess fat
- Type of fat
- Skin tone & texture
- Degree of skin laxity, if any
While determining the type of fat that is adversely affecting your body’s contour is critical, it is also important for a patient to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss technique. It is not an ideal procedure for removing large amounts of fat, nor is it one that will dramatically affect the number on your scale. However, reducing excess pockets of fat in the exact right spots allows me to re-sculpt your body. This may result in dramatic rejuvenation that can make you appear longer and leaner.
Which Areas Respond Best to Liposuction?
So, which areas of the body respond best to liposuction? In my many years of practice, I find that the:
- Abdomen
- Flanks
These are the two areas that respond best to liposuction because the subcutaneous fat is easier to remove and the tissue tends to lay down best over your new, slimmer contour. Another hot area for liposuction is the neck. However, patient selection here is critical. But in the right patient, this is a part of the body where a little volume improvement goes a long way. The last spot that responds very well to liposuction is the pre-axillary area or “bra bulge”. Two sites that are not always ideal for liposuction, however, are the arms and the legs. Cellulite and loose skin tend to complicate these treatment areas, so liposuction is rarely my treatment option of choice here.
To find out more about liposuction or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Chestnut Hill office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
