Instagram
Facebook
Tiktok
Youtube
X
LinkedIn
(501) 224-1044
VASER LIPOSUCTION · LITTLE ROCK, AR
Liposuction
Stubborn fat that survives a good diet and a real exercise habit is not a discipline problem. Some deposits do not respond to either, and liposuction is the only thing that removes them. Dr. Suzanne Yee and Dr. Homayoun Pournik, a fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon, perform ultrasound-assisted liposuction using the VASER® LipoSelection system at the practice’s accredited Little Rock surgery center.
1–5 hrs
Depending on areas treated
~ 2-3 days
Back to normal activity for many patients
3-6 mos
Final results once swelling resolves
Where liposuction works
Liposuction is versatile enough to target nearly any area holding stubborn fat. A small incision near the area lets a thin hollow tube called a cannula suction the fat cells out. It is not a treatment for obesity and not a substitute for diet and exercise; it is what handles what those two cannot.
TORSO
Abdomen, waist, flanks, back
The most requested areas, and the reason Lipo 360 exists; the front of the abdomen is rarely the only place holding on.
LIMBS
Hips, thighs, upper arms, knees
Areas where fat sits stubbornly regardless of training, and where precision matters more than volume.
ABOVE & BELOW
Neck, chin, chest, buttocks
Includes male breast reduction, and the delicate work under the chin where LipoSelection’s precision does the most.
One system, several techniques
The practice performs ultrasound-assisted tumescent liposuction using the VASER® LipoSelection system. VASER combines ultrasound energy with tumescent liposuction to break up and emulsify fat cells before they are suctioned out. It targets fat specifically and leaves other tissue intact, which minimizes trauma, simplifies recovery, and makes the skin easier to smooth. Patients report less pain and bruising than with traditional tumescent liposuction, and it allows precision in delicate areas, upper and lower abdomen, buttocks, inner thighs, back, arms, chin, and neck.
Lipo 360°
A 360-degree treatment covering the entire torso: front, sides, and back. For most people the front of the abdomen is not the only trouble area, and treating it alone leaves the problem half-solved. One of the most popular options here.
- Treats: the whole torso
- Best for: circumferential fat
- Popular: yes
VASER Hi-Def™ Liposculpture
Removes superficial and deep fat cells around muscle groups so the underlying musculature becomes visible. Produces a sculpted, athletic result rather than simply a smaller one. Requires advanced training. This procedure is specifically handled by Dr. Pournik.
- Treats: fat around muscle groups
- Best for: an athletic result
- Requires: advanced training
SmartLipo
The first laser-assisted liposuction procedure. A laser guided through a small cannula liquefies fat deposits, and the laser energy also interacts with the dermis to smooth and tighten skin; reducing the looseness that can follow traditional liposuction. Less swelling, bleeding, and bruising, and a quicker recovery.
- Treats: fat plus skin laxity
- Best for: skin tightening alongside
- Recovery: quicker
Liposuction with fat transfer
A two-for-one. Fat is harvested with a very thin cannula and low suction to keep the cells intact, spun in a centrifuge to separate whole cells from damaged ones, then injected to add volume elsewhere; face, breasts, or buttocks. A natural alternative to implants.
- Treats: fat, then adds volume
- Best for: a natural alternative to implants
- Cross-link: BBL
Are you a candidate?
Liposuction fine-tunes your shape when healthy habits alone are not getting you there. It is designed for people already close to their ideal weight who want a smoother, more sculpted look in specific areas, the finishing touch that lets you actually see the work you have already done.
The general guidelines:
- A BMI under 30.
- Within 30% of your ideal weight.
- In good overall health.
- Sufficient skin elasticity.
- Not smoking or using smokeless tobacco.
- Not pregnant or nursing.
- At least 18 years old.
Not everyone is a good candidate. If your skin does not contract properly after surgery, you can be left with drooping, sagging tissue, and additional body contouring may be needed afterward. Our team will tell you which of those you are at consultation.
Worried about loose skin?
Skin laxity is the thing that decides whether liposuction alone gets you the result. Two options can be performed during the same procedure.
- Renuvion
Helium plasma energy delivers an instant tightening effect without the large incisions and tissue removal that surgical skin tightening requires, and spurs collagen production. Light activity at 2 to 3 days; results improve over 3 to 6 months. - QuantumRF
Radiofrequency energy delivered deep into tissue via a specialized wand, stimulating collagen and elastin while reducing small fat deposits. Immediate tightening, continued improvement over 3 to 6 months, minimal downtime.
What to expect on procedure day
Liposuction is performed at the practice’s accredited Little Rock surgery center under general anesthesia, as an outpatient procedure; you go home the same day. Length depends on how many areas are treated and how large they are: as little as an hour, up to four or five for extensive contouring or when combined with other surgery.
The surgeons make a few small, discreet incisions near the treatment areas. A cannula goes through these to gently loosen and remove the fat by suction. Once the contour is right, the incisions are closed and covered with small dressings, and a compression garment is applied to minimize swelling and support the new shape as you heal.
- Maintain a stable, healthy weight before surgery.
- Stop smoking at least several weeks before and after surgery to promote healing.
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements; NSAIDs, vitamin E, fish oil, St. John’s wort and others, as directed.
- Arrange transportation to and from your procedure, and have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours.
- Set up a recovery space at home with pillows, entertainment, and other essentials within reach.
Recovery and results
Follow the instructions as given over the course of about twelve months. Modern technique has a significantly lower impact on the body than traditional liposuction, but it still takes a few days.
- FIRST FEW DAYS
Rest. Mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness are normal and subside fairly quickly. Discomfort is generally described as similar to sunburn, and is controlled with prescribed medication. - DAYS 2 TO 3
Many patients return to normal activity. - WEEK 1
A post-surgery visit to confirm you are healing properly and on track. - 2 WEEKS
Strenuous physical activity stays off the table until at least this point, or until you are cleared. - WEEKS 4 TO 6
Noticeable results as swelling decreases and the new contours emerge. - MONTHS 3 TO 6
Most of the swelling has settled and your new contour is clearly visible. The removed fat cells are gone for good, but the remaining ones can still enlarge with weight gain, so a stable weight is what protects the result. - MONTHS 8 TO 12
Final results. Residual swelling can take up to a year to fully resolve, especially in areas that were treated more extensively, and the skin continues to tighten over this time. Follow-up as needed; from here the outcome is long-lasting as long as your weight stays steady.
Why choose a board-certified surgeon
The surgeon you choose is the single biggest factor in a safe, natural result. Dr. Yee and Dr. Pournik are board certified surgeons with decades of experience. Their surgical training, combined with their conservative approach to anesthesia, works to protect your outcome and keep any risk as low as possible.
Liposuction is a well-established procedure with a long safety record. As with any surgery, uncommon complications are possible. Dr. Yee and Dr. Pournik review your specific risks with you at your consultation so you can decide with full, honest information.
EXPERT SURGEONS | EXCEPTIONAL CARE
- Four board certifications between them, across cosmetic surgery, general surgery, otolaryngology, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- More than 30 combined years of surgical experience, including 20+ years of cosmetic practice in Little Rock
- Top-of-class and fellowship training, with specialized focus in body contouring and fat removal
- A sculptor’s eye for natural proportion, applied to a plan built around your body and goals
- A conservative, safety-first approach to anesthesia and recovery
Combining with other procedures
Liposuction is frequently one part of a plan. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and repairs abdominal muscles that liposuction cannot touchm, popular after pregnancy or significant weight loss. A mommy makeover combines liposuction with breast work and a tummy tuck. And after major weight loss, liposuction runs alongside other body contouring and skin tightening to clear the remaining fat while the excess skin is removed.
WHY CHOOSE DR. YEE
Dr. Suzanne Yee, MD, FACS
- Triple Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon
- ★★★★★
- 4.8 · 387 Google reviews
Dr. Suzanne Yee offers liposuction as a key body-contouring procedure. Rather than treating liposuction as a weight-loss procedure, Dr. Yee focuses on refining body contours and creating balanced, natural-looking results, making her a strong option for patients seeking personalized liposuction in the Little Rock area.
Her memberships include:
- Fellow of American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
- Fellow of American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
- Fellow of American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Fellow of American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
- Fellow of American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.
- Fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
To schedule a consultation at our state-of-the-art surgical center, please contact us online or call (501) 224-1044.
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS & AFFILIATIONS
WHY CHOOSE DR. POURNIK
Homayoun Pournik, MD
Liposuction rewards judgment about tissue more than it rewards force. How much to take, where to leave it, and how the skin above will behave once the volume underneath is gone; get those wrong and the result is a contour irregularity rather than a shape.
Dr. Pournik’s cosmetic fellowship covered roughly 1,800 procedures in a single year at one of the country’s highest-volume body contouring centers, with high-definition liposuction among his named specialties; sculpting that respects natural anatomy, informed by a deep understanding of how tissue responds under tension. Before that, twelve years in transplant surgery: around 300 organ transplants, hundreds of robotic hernia repairs, and the first robotic kidney transplant performed in either California or North Carolina.
“It’s very hard to scare me in the operating room, because I’ve taken the engine out and put it back in.”
He asks every patient the same question at every follow-up: day one, one week, six months. Are you happy?
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS & AFFILIATIONS
REAL PATIENTS
Before & After
Sensitive Content
These before and after photos contain nudity. Please click/tap to view the images.
Sensitive Content
These before and after photos contain nudity. Please click/tap to view the images.
Sensitive Content
These before and after photos contain nudity. Please click/tap to view the images.
Sensitive Content
These before and after photos contain nudity. Please click/tap to view the images.
Sensitive Content
These before and after photos contain nudity. Please click/tap to view the images.
Patient Reviews
In Their Own Words
Dr Yee and her staff are always extremely friendly and do everything possible to make their office experience a comfortable one. I love how Dr Yee always greets me with a smile and a hug. She performed a mini abdominoplasty with liposuction of my abdomen, hips, back and thighs several months ago and I am absolutely thrilled with my results!
Leigh B. / July 2023
I’m 62 and decided I needed some changes. I had a breast reduction and lift, tummy tuck and liposuction. My experience at this clinic was amazing. My pain was minimal, which was one thing I worried about beforehand. The staff was so kind and very helpful. Answered all my questions. I did my research before coming to the decision to use Dr. Yee. I would recommend Dr. Yee for all my cosmetic surgeries.
Kim S. / August 2025
I had a tummy tuck and liposuction, and I looked fabulous when it was over. I can get back into my clothes again, and my self confidence is back.
Lisa T. / August 2022
CONTACT US
Request your liposuction consultation
At Dr. Suzanne Yee Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center, your consultation starts with listening. We take time to understand your goals, review your medical history, and examine you before building a plan shaped around your body, not a template. With the latest tools and techniques in aesthetic care at hand, Dr. Yee and Dr. Pournik choose only the ones that are right for you.
Frequently asked questions
An injection of a solution containing local anesthetic and epinephrine causes the treatment area to swell and become firm, and temporarily shrinks the blood vessels. The result is less bleeding, less swelling, and a shortened recovery.
Yes, but very small ones. With the right care, hardly noticeable. Avoiding sun exposure and using sunscreen are the most important things you can do to keep them virtually invisible.
Infection, bleeding, contour irregularities, fluid accumulation, or changes in skin sensation. Major complications are rare, and our surgeons will go through the risks specific to you at consultation.
Liposuction removes fat only. A tummy tuck tightens skin and repairs separated abdominal muscles, and usually includes liposuction anyway. If you have stretched skin and separated muscles from weight loss or childbirth, a tummy tuck is what you need. If it is only unresponsive fat, liposuction alone may do it.
No. It removes excess fat and improves contours, but it does not address the tightened fibrous bands beneath the skin that cause the dimpling. Specialized cellulite treatments can be paired with your procedure.
You can expect swelling and soreness, but most patients describe the discomfort as similar to sunburn. Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication manages it.
The removed fat cells are gone for good. But the fat cells that remain can still enlarge with weight gain, so healthy eating and exercise are what keep the result.
