Will liposuction help cellulite (cottage-cheese like dimpling) or sagging skin?

Liposuction, or lipoplasty, is a sought-after surgical procedure for people considering a surgical body contouring procedure. This procedure involves suctioning fat from the treatment areas to contour the body into the desired shape. Liposuction offers patients a sculpted and sleeker body shape.

This plastic surgery procedure is also known as “body sculpting,” and is commonly undertaken to eliminate stubborn fat in the buttocks, neck, abdomen, thighs, and other areas of the body.

Liposuction can effectively eliminate fat deposits from treated sites. But can it successfully address other body issues such as cellulite? This is a valid consideration for patients seeking cellulite reduction.

The Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery (VIPS), led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides liposuction to patients in Richmond, Fredericksburg, Tysons Corner, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and surrounding communities.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite does not develop due to any apparent or known reason. It also occurs unrelated to body type or activity level.

This can be a frustrating condition that impacts mostly women and causes unattractive dimpling on the butt and thighs, which can sometimes even be visible through certain clothing. Women who are self-conscious about their cellulite may be averse to wearing clothing such as shorts or swimsuits.

Can Liposuction Address Cellulite?

Cellulite causes dimpling on the buttocks and other body areas which leads to an unappealing appearance. Women usually experience cellulite in the thigh and butt areas. This condition develops when fat deposits are pushed up on the skin leading to a rippling effect.

While an experienced plastic surgeon can understand a patient’s concerns about her cellulite, they cannot recommend liposuction as a suitable procedure for cellulite removal. Liposuction is a very effective surgery to remove fat deposits permanently from the treated areas. However, it is not meant to remove cellulite.

Before seeking treatment for cellulite, it is essential to understand the reasons for its development. When the bands of connective tissue develop underneath the skin and pull it downwards, it leads to the dimpling effect known as cellulite.

Excess fat can worsen the appearance of cellulite. However, it is not behind its development. For this reason, liposuction plastic surgery on the thighs and butt can only marginally correct the appearance of cellulite.

The skin on the butt and thighs is thin which can make cellulite more visible. Older women tend to have more prominent cellulite as their skin is usually less elastic.

Laser and ultrasound-assisted liposuction may tighten the skin during fat removal. But these treatments alone are not enough to remove cellulite.

How Can I Get Rid of Cellulite?

Liposuction helps eliminate stubborn fat pockets, but it is not meant for cellulite removal. While there are no official cellulite removal treatments, certain things may help improve its appearance. Exercise and weight loss may help in the reduction of cellulite.

While cellulite is aesthetically undesirable, it is a normal condition to occur in a woman’s body. To a certain degree, most women have some cellulite on their bodies.

Plastic surgeons at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery receive patients from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Tysons Corner, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and nearby areas for liposuction. For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

Serving Richmond, VA, Fredricksburg, Williamsburg, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington and surrounding communities.