Body
Overview
About Liposuction
Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas by removing localized or regional excess fat deposits, improving your body contours and proportion, and ultimately enhancing your self-image.
It's ideal for targeted pockets of fat that resist diet and exercise, and can be paired with other procedures for comprehensive contouring.
✚ Medically reviewed by Dr. Helena Guarda, MD — Diplomate, American Board of Plastic Surgery. Last reviewed August 2026.
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Procedure Time
1–3 hours
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Anesthesia
General or local
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Initial Recovery
3–7 days
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Results
Long-lasting
Every plan is individualized — the details above are typical ranges and are confirmed during your consultation.
Why Patients Choose It
Benefits at a glance
- ✓Targeted fat removal
- ✓Improved contour and proportion
- ✓Smoother, refined silhouette
- ✓Pairs well with other procedures
Is It Right for You?
Are you a good candidate?
You may be a good candidate for liposuction if some of the following apply. The best way to know is a personal consultation with Dr. Guarda.
- ✓You have stubborn fat that resists diet and exercise
- ✓You are within about 30% of your ideal weight
- ✓You have firm, elastic skin
- ✓You want to refine a specific area or areas
- ✓You are healthy and a non-smoker
- ✓You have realistic, contour-focused goals
What to Expect
Your journey, step by step
1
Consultation
Meet with Dr. Guarda to share your goals, review your health history, and design a plan tailored to you.
2
Preparation
Receive clear pre-operative instructions — and any needed lab work — so you feel fully prepared for the day of surgery.
3
Procedure
Your procedure is performed with meticulous care in an accredited surgical setting, prioritizing safety and natural results.
4
Recovery & Results
Follow a guided recovery with scheduled follow-ups as your final results gradually take shape.
Recovery
Recovery timeline
A general guide to what recovery looks like. Dr. Guarda provides a personalized timeline based on your body and your plan.
First 24–48 hours
Rest at home with support nearby. Some swelling, bruising, and tenderness are normal and managed with prescribed medication.
First 1–2 weeks
Most patients return to desk work and light activity. Follow-up visits confirm you're healing well; avoid strenuous movement and heavy lifting.
Weeks 2–6
Gradually resume exercise as Dr. Guarda clears you. Swelling continues to subside and your new contour becomes more defined.
3+ months
Final results settle as tissues fully heal and any scars continue to soften and fade.
Preparation
How to prepare
- ✓Complete a thorough consultation and any required lab work or medical clearance
- ✓Stop smoking well before and after surgery to support healing
- ✓Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements as directed by Dr. Guarda
- ✓Arrange a ride home and help at home for the first few days
- ✓Fill prescriptions and set up a comfortable recovery space in advance
Safety
Risks & safety
As with any surgery, liposuction carries some risks — which may include bleeding, infection, changes in sensation, scarring, and reactions to anesthesia. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon operating in an accredited facility significantly lowers these risks. Dr. Guarda reviews your complete medical history and discusses every risk — and how it is minimized — during your consultation, so you can make a fully informed decision.
Results
Results & longevity
Results from liposuction are designed to look natural and last. While aging, pregnancy, and major weight changes can affect your outcome over time, maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle helps preserve your results for many years.
Questions & Answers
Liposuction FAQs
Answers to questions patients ask most. Have another? We're glad to help.
Is liposuction a weight-loss procedure?
No — it's a body-contouring procedure for stubborn, localized fat, not a substitute for weight loss. Results are best in patients near their goal weight.
Will the fat come back?
The fat cells removed don't return, but remaining cells can enlarge with weight gain. A stable weight preserves your results.
Which areas can be treated?
Common areas include the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, back, and under the chin. Multiple areas can often be treated in one session.
Local Care
Liposuction in Suffolk & Hampton Roads
Dr. Helena Guarda proudly serves patients across Suffolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and the greater Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Our practice is located at 5131 River Club Drive, Suite 110, Suffolk, VA 23435 — convenient to coastal Virginia communities seeking liposuction with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.
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Considering Liposuction?
Your individual consultation with Dr. Guarda awaits. Call or send a message with any questions you may have.