Conveniently located in Sevierville to serve Knox, Sevier, Blount, & Jefferson Counties
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure designed to remove localized pockets of fat that remain despite healthy eating and regular exercise. It may be used to create smoother contours and improve proportions in areas such as the abdomen, waist, thighs, arms, or beneath the chin. Rather than serving as a weight-loss method, liposuction refines specific areas of the body by targeting fat directly.
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dean Kleto has more than 25 years of experience performing liposuction for patients in the Knoxville area. He personally evaluates your anatomy, skin quality, and aesthetic goals to develop an individualized surgical plan.
Dr. Kleto serves Knoxville, Sevierville, Knox County, and nearby areas of Tennessee. Call 865.524.2442 today to schedule a consultation.
This page covers numerous topics related to liposuction, including:
Liposuction can be used on almost any area of your body. Commonly, liposuction is used on areas including:
- Thighs
- Buttock and hips
- Abdomen
- Back
- Arms
- Chest (for male breast reduction)
- Neck and face
During your initial consultation with Dr. Kleto, he will carefully evaluate your body and listen closely to your concerns. Together, you can determine what areas would benefit most from liposuction, and work to achieve the body you have always wanted.
Cellulite, wrinkles, and dimples cannot be removed with liposuction. Liposuction is used to remove deep layers of fat, which can actually cause superficial layers of cellulite to become more obvious. Dr. Kleto can discuss this with you during your initial consultation.
Men and women who choose to undergo liposuction from Dr. Kleto often find that the procedure changes their lives. You'll reap benefits, including:
- A better-balanced and more proportional figure
- A more toned and defined body
- Improved appearance in swimsuits and tight clothing
- Increased self-confidence
Generally speaking, the best liposuction candidates meet the following qualifications:
- In strong overall health
- Already at (or close to) their ideal weight
- Non-smokers (or willing to quit before the procedure)
- Good skin elasticity
- Realistic expectations
Many people believe liposuction is a weight-loss procedure, but this is not true. It is not safe to remove large volumes of fat through liposuction. Instead, this procedure targets small pockets of fat that have not responded to diet and exercise, improving your body's contours and enhancing the figure you have worked hard to achieve.
If you have a large amount of loose, excess skin in the stomach region, liposuction might not be right for you. A tummy tuck is usually recommended in order to remove hanging skin and tighten the remaining skin in the abdominal area. Additionally, if you are still overweight, you will need to wait until you have reached (or are close to) your target weight before undergoing liposuction.
Smokers will need to quit before the procedure and continue abstaining throughout the recovery process, since smoking can seriously interfere your body’s ability to heal and heighten your risk of surgical complications.
The procedure for liposuction is relatively simple. Dr. Kleto will make a small incision in the area being treated through which excess fat can be removed. There are various methods Dr. Kleto may employ to assist in the breaking up of fat deposits. This will be determined on a patient by patient basis.
The area of treatment is injected with saline solution containing medication that numbs and constricts blood vessels. Then, Dr. Kleto will insert a thin tube called a cannula into the incision and use it to suck out the fat. Fat is removed a little at a time to control the contour and shape desired.
Once sufficient fat has been removed, Dr. Kleto will suture the incision, and provide you with compression garments to be worn during the recovery phase.
Recovery from liposuction is generally rapid. You should be able to return to work within a few days, and resume most normal activities within a few short weeks. Dr. Kleto will work with you during this time to assist with any swelling or pain you may experience, and also to let you know when it is safe to resume all of your normal activities.
There may be some bruising following liposuction. However, the medication injected into the fatty layer and compression garments after surgery can help minimize the bruising and swelling.
Dr. Kleto will supply you with compression garments to wear following your procedure. Wearing these garments will assist in keeping swelling down, and also in helping your skin conform to its new contour.
During the recovery period, you should continue to wear your compression garments. These will help reduce swelling and assist your body in maintaining its new contour and slimmer shape. In addition to compression garments, physical activities such as walking will help reduce swelling and discomfort.
To improve and maintain the look you achieve with liposuction, Dr. Kleto recommends adopting a healthy lifestyle. Getting plenty of exercise and eating a healthy diet will be very beneficial in extending the results of your procedure. It is also advised that you do not smoke, either during your recovery process or once you have healed. Smoking can make recovery more difficult and can lead to an inactive lifestyle.
Exercise After Liposuction
Although you should take it easy after liposuction, Dr. Kleto encourages his patients to begin light walking as soon as they can. This helps facilitate blood flow to the treatment area to stimulate healing, and it reduces the chance of a blood clot forming. After about a week, you'll be able to increase your activity level. You should be able to resume your routine after about two weeks.
You'll probably want to start exercising again as soon as you can to maintain your results. However, it's essential to be patient during this period. You'll need to avoid strenuous exercise for about 4-6 weeks following your procedure. Dr. Kleto will let you know when it's safe to fully resume your workout routine.
While regular exercise is critical to maintaining your liposuction results, not rushing back into strenuous activity too soon is equally vital.
What Results Can I Expect from a Liposuction Procedure?
Your results will become more and more apparent as your swelling decreases. You should see your ultimate body contour about 3-4 months after your procedure.
Fat, once removed, cannot come back. This does not mean that new fat cannot accumulate. To help extend the results of your liposuction, you should lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes getting at least two hours of vigorous exercise a week and eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.
Although the removed fat cells do not grow back, the fat cells remaining elsewhere in the body can enlarge with future weight gain. Significant weight changes may therefore affect your contours and alter the balance achieved through surgery. Maintaining a relatively stable weight through sustainable nutrition and regular activity can help preserve your liposuction results over time.
What Types of Concerns Can Liposuction Improve?
Even at a healthy and stable weight, you may have areas that appear disproportionate to the rest of your figure. Genetics often influence where the body stores fat, making certain deposits difficult to reduce through lifestyle changes alone. Liposuction may improve isolated fullness and create a smoother transition between adjacent areas.
The procedure is especially useful for contouring concerns rather than overall size reduction. For example, treating the abdomen may create a more defined waist, while addressing the hips or thighs may improve lower-body proportion. Dr. Kleto evaluates the complete treatment area so the resulting contours blend naturally with the rest of your body.
The Importance of Skin Elasticity
Liposuction removes fat, but it does not remove a substantial amount of loose skin. Skin elasticity therefore plays an important role in both candidacy and the expected result. When skin has retained good elasticity, it may gradually adapt to the area’s slimmer contour after fat is removed.
If you have considerable skin laxity following pregnancy, aging, or significant weight loss, liposuction alone may not fully address your concern. Another body contouring procedure may be more appropriate when excess skin is the primary issue. During your consultation, Dr. Kleto will assess both the fat beneath your skin and the condition of the skin itself before recommending treatment.
Preparing for Liposuction Surgery
Preparing carefully can help support a comfortable recovery. Dr. Kleto will provide instructions based on your health, treatment areas, and surgical plan. You may be asked to adjust certain medications or supplements, stop smoking, and arrange for someone to drive you home and assist you immediately after the procedure.
It is also helpful to prepare your recovery space in advance with comfortable clothing, prescribed medications, and frequently used items within easy reach. Because recovery experiences vary, plan adequate time away from work and household responsibilities. Following Dr. Kleto’s instructions concerning compression garments, incision care, activity, and follow-up appointments is an important part of the process.
How Much Fat Can Liposuction Remove?
The amount of fat removed depends on safety, your anatomy, and the contouring goals established during your consultation. Removing more fat does not automatically produce a better result. Effective liposuction requires careful attention to proportion, symmetry, and smooth transitions across the treated areas.
Dr. Kleto takes a measured approach intended to refine your existing figure rather than pursue an arbitrary volume of fat removal. Your consultation provides an opportunity to discuss which changes are realistically achievable and how treatment can be tailored to your body.
Schedule Your Knoxville Liposuction Consultation Today
Dr. Kleto has more than 25 years of experience helping his patients attain their ideal body contours. He operates in a safe, friendly environment and is committed to making you comfortable while he delivers natural-looking results.
When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Kleto will meet with you personally. He is devoted to being involved in every aspect of your treatment and wants to give you the attention and respect you deserve. Dr. Kleto will listen attentively to your goals, needs, and concerns. He will also leave time for you to ask questions as you familiarize yourself with the procedure.
Dr. Kleto serves Knoxville, Sevierville, Knox County, and nearby areas of Tennessee. Call 865.524.2442 today to schedule a consultation.