Choosing to explore liposuction is a personal decision, and the quality of your consultation plays a defining role in the outcome. At Maine Plastic Surgery, every liposuction consultation is led by Dr. Jason Gardenier, a Harvard-trained, double-board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. His background at institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and New York-Presbyterian Hospital shapes a consultation process that is medically rigorous, transparent, and focused on long-term results rather than quick fixes. Here’s what you should understand before your first liposuction consultation and how to prepare for it.
Understanding What Liposuction Can and Cannot Do
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure designed to address stubborn pockets of subcutaneous fat that do not respond to diet or exercise. It is not a weight-loss solution, and clarifying that distinction early helps align expectations with achievable outcomes. During your consultation at Maine Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gardenier evaluates contour, proportion, and skin quality to determine how liposuction can enhance your natural shape.
Common treatment areas include the abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, arms, under the chin, and the male chest. Rather than focusing solely on volume, the goal is to create balanced, refined contours that look natural both in and out of clothing.
Determining Whether You Are a Good Candidate
Candidacy is one of the most important topics addressed during a first liposuction consultation. This evaluation ensures that the procedure is appropriate, safe, and capable of delivering meaningful improvement.
Factors typically reviewed include:
- Overall health: Candidates should be physically and mentally healthy, without uncontrolled medical conditions.
- Body weight range: Liposuction is best suited for patients who are close to their goal weight, often within about 20% of it.
- Skin elasticity: Adequate skin tone allows the treated areas to adapt smoothly after fat removal.
- Expectations: Goals should reflect what liposuction can realistically accomplish.
- Commitment to aftercare: Willingness to follow post-operative instructions and attend follow-up visits is essential.
This detailed assessment allows Dr. Gardenier to recommend a treatment plan that prioritizes safety, predictability, and proportion.
What Happens During the Consultation
Liposuction consultations at Maine Plastic Surgery are intentionally comprehensive. The visit begins with a review of your medical and surgical history, followed by a physical examination to assess fat distribution and skin quality. Dr. Gardenier then discusses potential treatment areas, the surgical approach, and whether liposuction alone or in combination with another procedure would best support your goals.
Patients are encouraged to ask questions, review before-and-after photographs, and discuss concerns about recovery, downtime, and results. Financial considerations, including available financing options, are also clearly reviewed to ensure a full understanding before moving forward.
Procedure and Recovery Expectations
At Maine Plastic Surgery, liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with IV sedation. Small cannulas are inserted through discreet incisions to remove excess fat while preserving surrounding tissues.
Recovery topics commonly addressed during consultation include:
- Compression garments: Typically worn for about one month to support healing and reduce swelling.
- Downtime: Bruising and swelling generally improve within two to four weeks.
- Discomfort management: Post-operative soreness is usually well controlled with oral medication.
- Final results: Body contours continue to refine over several months, with final results often evident by six months.
Understanding this timeline helps patients plan appropriately and approach recovery with realistic expectations.
Book a Personalized Liposuction Consultation
Knowing what to expect before your first liposuction consultation allows you to make informed, confident decisions about your care. At Maine Plastic Surgery, consultations are led by Dr. Gardenier, whose Harvard training, dual board certification, and patient-centered approach ensure guidance grounded in experience and medical integrity. If you are considering liposuction and want a personalized, expert evaluation, contact Maine Plastic Surgery in Portland, Maine, to schedule your confidential consultation and learn what liposuction can realistically achieve for you.
