Liposuction Philadelphia & New Jersey
Stubborn fat deposits can persist despite a healthy lifestyle, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise. Genetics, aging, and hormonal changes all play a role in determining where fat accumulates, and sometimes, no amount of effort seems to change it. Liposuction offers a precise, effective way to reshape those areas, refine your contours, and restore natural proportion.
At Becker Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David W. Allison performs advanced liposuction procedures for patients throughout New Jersey and the Philadelphia region. Dr. Allison’s signature approach focuses on awake liposuction—a technique performed without general anesthesia that enhances safety, precision, and patient comfort. By refining body contours in real time, he delivers beautifully balanced results that complement each patient’s unique frame.
Whether your goal is to smooth a single area or achieve more comprehensive body sculpting, Dr. Allison combines surgical artistry with proven techniques to help you look and feel your best with confidence.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure designed to remove unwanted fat from areas that remain resistant to diet and exercise. It’s not a weight-loss method but rather a sculpting procedure that enhances your body’s natural proportions and definition. By targeting localized fat deposits, liposuction can restore smoother transitions between body regions and help clothing fit more comfortably.
Common treatment areas include the abdomen and waist, hips and flanks (love handles), thighs and knees, upper arms, back and bra line, neck and chin, and even the calves and ankles. During the procedure, a thin cannula is inserted through small, discreet incisions to gently remove excess fat and contour the surrounding tissues. When performed with precision, liposuction creates long-lasting improvements in silhouette, proportion, and self-confidence.
The Advantages of Awake Liposuction
Dr. Allison specializes in awake liposuction, a refined modern approach that eliminates the need for general anesthesia. Instead, local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area, allowing patients to remain relaxed and comfortable while fully awake.
This innovative technique offers several distinct benefits: enhanced safety by avoiding general anesthesia, real-time assessment as patients can stand mid-procedure, superior results from precise adjustments in natural posture, reduced cost since hospital fees are avoided, and shorter recovery times due to the lighter anesthetic approach.
Dr. Allison’s method reflects his commitment to both artistry and safety. By performing awake liposuction in a calm, supportive setting, he achieves the precision and natural results that define his work.
Awake Liposuction vs. Traditional Liposuction
Traditional liposuction is performed under general anesthesia, meaning the patient is completely asleep and cannot be repositioned during surgery. While this method remains common, it limits the surgeon’s ability to assess results dynamically.
In contrast, awake liposuction keeps patients alert and comfortable, allowing Dr. Allison to refine contours with unparalleled accuracy. During the procedure, he can have patients briefly stand to evaluate balance and make subtle adjustments that enhance symmetry—an approach that can achieve smoother contours and fewer revisions.
For many patients, awake liposuction represents the ideal balance of comfort, safety, and results—a method that reflects Dr. Allison’s meticulous, patient-focused philosophy.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Liposuction with Dr. Allison is performed in an accredited, sterile surgical suite using advanced local anesthesia for complete comfort. The procedure typically lasts one to two hours, depending on the number of areas being treated.
Dr. Allison begins by marking the treatment areas and mapping out where fat will be removed to achieve balanced contouring. Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area and minimize bleeding while maintaining patient comfort. Using a fine cannula, Dr. Allison gently removes fat and refines the surrounding tissues to create smooth, natural transitions.
Because patients remain awake, Dr. Allison can have them briefly stand during surgery. This step allows him to evaluate proportions in a natural posture, revealing subtle areas that may need refinement. Once the desired contour is achieved, incisions are closed with fine sutures, and a compression garment is applied to support healing and maintain the new shape.
Most patients return home the same day and are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the recovery process feels. Mild soreness, swelling, and bruising are common for the first few days but typically subside within two weeks.
During the first few days, patients rest and wear compression garments continuously to support the new contours. By about one week, most return to desk or non-strenuous work, and light exercise can usually resume after two to three weeks. Final results continue to refine over three to six months as residual swelling resolves.
Because fat cells removed through liposuction are permanently eliminated, results are long-lasting—especially when supported by a stable weight and healthy habits. Dr. Allison provides detailed aftercare instructions to ensure smooth healing and optimal results.
Recovery and Results
Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Ideal candidates for liposuction are individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle but struggle with localized fat deposits. Candidates should have good skin elasticity for natural retraction after fat removal, be at or near their goal weight, be in good general health and non-smokers, and have realistic expectations about surgical outcomes.
Liposuction is best suited for sculpting rather than dramatic volume reduction. During consultation, Dr. Allison evaluates your body type, skin quality, and goals to determine whether liposuction—or a combination of procedures—will achieve the most natural, satisfying results.
Combining Liposuction with Other Procedures
Liposuction is highly versatile and often complements other body-contouring surgeries. Dr. Allison may recommend combining liposuction with a tummy tuck to tighten abdominal skin and muscles, a thigh or arm lift for skin laxity, a breast lift or reduction for upper-body balance, or fat transfer to enhance the buttocks or hips.
By combining procedures, Dr. Allison helps patients achieve comprehensive, harmonious results that flatter the entire physique.
Potential Risks and Considerations
Liposuction is a safe, time-tested procedure when performed by a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. However, as with any surgery, potential risks include bleeding or infection, fluid accumulation, temporary numbness or changes in skin sensation, contour irregularities, or minor scarring. Rarely, complications related to anesthesia or circulation may occur.
Dr. Allison minimizes these risks through careful patient selection, sterile technique, and personalized post-operative care. His patients benefit from a low complication rate and consistently smooth recoveries.
Maintaining Your Results
Long-term success after liposuction depends on lifestyle stability. Because fat cells do not regenerate, maintaining a healthy weight helps preserve results indefinitely. Dr. Allison encourages patients to adopt balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and stable weight management to ensure lasting contour improvement.
Patients who maintain their results often describe a renewed sense of confidence, improved posture, and better motivation to stay active—a reflection of how subtle physical refinement can profoundly impact overall well-being.
Why Choose Dr. David W. Allison?
Dr. David W. Allison, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon recognized for his precision, artistry, and commitment to natural, individualized results. His work emphasizes proportion, symmetry, and patient safety—hallmarks of his approach to aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.
At Becker Plastic Surgery, Dr. Allison collaborates with a distinguished team of board-certified plastic and facial plastic surgeons who share his dedication to excellence and compassionate care. With practices across New Jersey and the Philadelphia region, the Becker team offers a full range of surgical and non-surgical solutions designed to enhance natural beauty with integrity and skill.
Dr. Allison’s calm, communicative style and meticulous technique ensure that every patient feels informed, comfortable, and supported—from consultation through recovery and beyond.
Pick one of our 6 convenient locationsfor Your Plastic Surgery Needs
If stubborn fat is keeping you from feeling your best, liposuction may be the right solution. Dr. David W. Allison and the team at Becker Plastic Surgery proudly serve patients across New Jersey and the Philadelphia region, offering advanced, compassionate care and beautifully natural outcomes.
Schedule your private consultation today to learn how liposuction can refine your contours, restore balance, and renew your confidence.
Liposuction FAQs
Is awake liposuction painful?
No. Patients remain completely comfortable under local anesthesia. Most describe only mild pressure or vibration during treatment, with minimal postoperative soreness compared to traditional methods.
How much fat can be removed safely?
Dr. Allison prioritizes balance and proportion. Depending on your body type, several liters of fat may be removed safely. He carefully tailors each procedure to achieve smooth, natural contours without overcorrection.
Will liposuction tighten my skin?
Liposuction removes fat, not skin. However, patients with good elasticity often experience improved tone as the skin naturally retracts. For those with significant laxity, Dr. Allison may recommend combining liposuction with a lift procedure.
When can I return to normal activities?
Most patients return to light work within a few days and resume full activity in two to three weeks. Compression garments should be worn as advised to help shape and protect the new contours.
Are results permanent?
Yes. Fat cells removed during liposuction are permanently eliminated. Maintaining a stable weight ensures your new shape remains consistent for many years.
Can liposuction be done in multiple areas at once?
Yes. Liposuction can safely treat multiple regions in one session, as long as overall fat removal remains within safe limits. Dr. Allison designs each plan to maximize both safety and results.