Awake Liposuction
Physician-Performed Body Contouring
Awake liposuction is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical liposuction. At Highlander Dermatology and Surgery Center, we’re proud to offer awake liposuction, a physician-performed body contouring procedure that removes stubborn, diet-and-exercise-resistant fat using local tumescent anesthesia, not general anesthesia.
Awake liposuction is performed directly by our board-certified dermatologists for patients throughout Brookfield and Milwaukee, often combined with radiofrequency-assisted skin tightening for a more complete contouring result. Schedule an appointment to learn more today.
About Awake Liposuction
Awake liposuction offers an alternative to traditional liposuction performed under general anesthesia. Instead, a tumescent solution containing diluted local anesthetic is infused directly into the targeted fat layer. This thoroughly numbs the treatment area while helping constrict blood vessels to reduce bleeding and bruising.
Once the area is numb, a fine cannula is used to carefully remove unwanted fat and refine the body’s natural contours. Because general anesthesia is not required, patients avoid the associated grogginess and many of the additional risks and costs of going under. Most patients are able to walk out of the office following their procedure and return to light activity relatively quickly.
Awake liposuction is intended for body contouring rather than significant weight loss and is particularly effective for refining specific areas of persistent fat.
Areas We Treat
Abdomen
The abdomen is one of the most common areas we treat, particularly for patients who have reached a stable weight but still carry fullness around the midsection. Using the tumescent technique, fat is removed through a fine cannula to sculpt a flatter, more defined waistline while preserving natural movement.
Flanks & Love Handles
The flanks, often called “love handles,” are notoriously resistant to diet and exercise. Awake liposuction removes fat from this area to restore a smoother waist-to-hip transition, often performed alongside abdominal liposuction for a fully contoured midsection.
Upper Arms
Fullness in the upper arm can be difficult to address through exercise alone. Awake arm liposuction refines and slims the upper arm contour and is frequently combined with QuantumRF or BodyTite to tighten skin in the same session.
Neck & Chin
Submental fat, fullness beneath the chin and along the jawline, is one of the most requested areas at Highlander. Awake neck and chin liposuction sharpens jawline definition and profile. Because this is a smaller, more delicate area, it’s frequently paired with our smaller RFAL applicators (AccuTite or QuantumRF 10) for skin tightening in the same visit. Learn More by visiting our Awake Chin & Neck Liposuction page.
We also treat the bra/back area, inner thighs, and other localized fat deposits on a case-by-case basis, customized during your consultation.
How Awake Liposuction Works
Awake liposuction combines precise fat removal with a personalized approach to body contouring. Depending on skin quality and the area being treated, we may combine awake liposuction with radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis (RFAL), using InMode’s IgniteRF platform.
BodyTite / BodyTite Turbo
BodyTite uses bipolar radiofrequency energy delivered through a pair of internal and external electrodes: a thin cannula works beneath the skin, while a corresponding electrode glides across the surface above it. As RF energy passes between the two, it liquefies fat for easier removal while simultaneously heating the deep dermis to trigger collagen contraction. Built-in real-time temperature monitoring keeps the energy at a safe, controlled level throughout treatment. BodyTite is designed for larger areas, the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and arms, and is often performed as a single “one-and-done” session per area, with skin contraction results that meaningfully exceed what traditional liposuction alone can achieve.
QuantumRF 25
QuantumRF 25 uses the larger of InMode’s two Quantum applicators, delivering fractionated radiofrequency energy at deeper levels across broader areas like the abdomen and waist. It’s frequently used to refine and tighten skin following liposuction or BodyTite, adding a further layer of contraction and smoothing.
QuantumRF 10
QuantumRF 10 uses a smaller, more precise applicator suited to delicate areas such as the neck, jawline, and face. It’s a natural pairing with neck and chin liposuction, tightening skin in the same treatment area where fat has just been removed.
Our team will recommend the right combination of liposuction and RFAL technology for your goals during your consultation. Not every patient needs skin tightening, and not every area calls for the same device.
Candidates for Awake Liposuction
Awake liposuction is designed for body contouring, not significant weight loss. The best candidates are:
Skin quality and elasticity are evaluated during your consultation, since patients with noticeable skin laxity are typically better served by combining liposuction with BodyTite or QuantumRF. Every treatment plan at Highlander Dermatology and Surgery Center begins with a thorough, individualized consultation.
Awake Liposuction
Before & After
Awake Liposuction
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate for awake liposuction?
The best candidates are generally healthy adults who are near a stable weight but have specific areas of unwanted fat that don’t respond well to diet and exercise. Liposuction is designed for body contouring rather than significant weight loss. Skin quality and laxity are also evaluated during consultation.
What is awake liposuction?
Awake liposuction is a body-contouring procedure performed using local tumescent anesthesia rather than general anesthesia. The treatment area is thoroughly numbed while you remain awake and comfortable. Fat is then carefully removed to improve shape and contour.
How is awake liposuction different from traditional liposuction?
The primary difference is the type of anesthesia used. Traditional surgical liposuction may be performed under general anesthesia, while awake liposuction uses local tumescent anesthesia. This allows patients to remain awake during treatment and avoids the grogginess and additional considerations associated with general anesthesia.
What areas can be treated with awake liposuction?
Awake liposuction can be used for many common areas of stubborn fat, including the abdomen, flanks/love handles, arms, bra and back area, inner thighs, and chin/neck. It’s especially helpful for localized fat pads that remain despite a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Can awake liposuction also tighten loose skin?
Liposuction primarily removes unwanted fat. For patients who also have skin laxity, we may combine liposuction with radiofrequency-assisted skin tightening, such as QuantumRF or BodyTite. This allows us to address both excess fat and loose skin during the same procedure when appropriate.
What is recovery like after awake liposuction?
Most patients are able to walk immediately after the procedure and return to light activities relatively quickly. Swelling, bruising, tenderness, and drainage are normal during the early recovery period, and a compression garment is typically worn to help control swelling and support the treated area. Improvement becomes increasingly visible as swelling resolves over the following weeks, with continued improvement over several months.
How much does awake liposuction cost?
Cost varies based on the number and size of the areas treated and whether additional skin tightening with BodyTite or QuantumRF is recommended. Because each procedure is personalized, exact pricing is determined following a consultation and individualized treatment plan.
Your Skin Deserves Expert Care & Innovative Solutions
Schedule Your Personalized Consultation Today
Discover the difference board-certified specialists and advanced technology can make. Whether you’re treating skin cancer, rejuvenating your skin, or sculpting your body, Highlander Dermatology and Surgery Center offers personalized care to help you feel confident for the long term.