In-Office vs. Operating Room Liposuction: Which One Is Right for You?

Liposuction is one of the leading body contouring procedures among men and women alike, and for good reason. As you gain weight, your body’s fat cells grow in size and multiply, leaving pockets of fat that can be hard to eliminate with diet and exercise alone. BEAUTY by BUFORD’s liposuction treatment is a surgical procedure aimed at reducing this stubborn body fat and contouring targeted areas of the body, helping patients look and feel more comfortable in their own skin. Keep reading to learn about in-office vs. operating room liposuction and see which one is right for you!

By making small, discreet incisions in specified sections of the skin, Dr. Buford uses a suction technique that permanently removes fat from targeted areas. Most patients choose to use liposuction on the chin, neck, upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, hips, and thighs or a combination of multiple sections.

Dr. Buford conducts both in-office and operating-room liposuction procedures, but choosing the right setting for your own treatment depends on a variety of factors, all aimed at providing you with the best results possible. If you’re wondering which setting is right for you, BEAUTY by BUFORD is here to discuss in-office vs. operating room liposuction and who is a good fit for each.

Choosing the Right Setting for Your Procedure

Ensuring your procedure runs as smoothly as possible is our biggest priority. By using the guide below, you’ll get a better idea of which treatment setting is right for you before discussing the details with Dr. Buford.

Good Candidates for In-Office Liposuction…

Have lower anesthesia requirements.

Patients who require less anesthesia to feel numb or relaxed are great candidates for in-office liposuction at BEAUTY by BUFORD. Dr. Buford uses a combination of Pronox (A.K.A. laughing gas) and numbing fluid during these procedures, which is a much less potent pairing than general anesthesia. This approach allows for a quicker operation, but it may not be the best option for patients who require heavier levels of sedation to feel the numbing effects. If you require more than average levels of numbing medicine during dental appointments, then in-office surgery is probably not right for you.

Are comfortable with conscious sedation.

Because Pronox does not put patients to sleep, patients who are comfortable with the idea of remaining awake and slightly sedated throughout the procedure may leave the office shortly after it is complete. While this certainly speeds up the process, Dr. Buford encourages patients to practice self-awareness when deciding whether conscious sedation is right for them.

Are looking for a lower volume of fat removal.

For patients interested in targeting smaller pockets of fat on specific areas of the body, in-office liposuction is a great option. The larger the procedural site, the more likely you will need to visit the operating room for liposuction.

Consider:

In general, in-office procedures are faster and cheaper than operating room procedures. The office setting may also feel more comfortable than the O.R. environment, but Dr. Buford advises that it is far more important to focus on the level of care required to produce excellent results than cost or speed.

“If you’re contemplating liposuction, I would personally recommend Buford and his team. Not only is he able to do the procedure in his own facility, but they offer Pronox, which was a life changer in helping me relax. You’re in the best hands with Buford and his team.”

– Diana

Good Candidates for O.R. Liposuction…

Require higher levels of anesthesia.

When you visit Dr. Buford for your liposuction consultation, he may ask you how many beers it takes you to feel a buzz, but don’t worry! This quick test helps our team understand how high your tolerance is for sedation and whether you’ll benefit from general anesthesia during your procedure.

Experience higher anxiety, especially during doctor’s visits.

During your procedure, Dr. Buford wants you to be as relaxed as possible. It’s common for patients to feel stressed about surgery, and even more common if they are uncomfortable with the idea of being awake throughout the process. If you feel especially anxious with conscious sedation, our team recommends OR liposuction, which allows for complete sedation and a more relaxed experience.

Want more surface area coverage.

Many liposuction patients combine multiple target areas for a more complete body contouring procedure with a higher volume of fat removal. If this sounds like you, the operating room may be the best setting for your procedure.

“I am 4 months out from a tummy tuck with liposuction and am THRILLED with my results. The healing process was so much easier than I expected, and I attribute that to the way Dr. Buford’s office sets you up with everything you need, from nutrition to pain management. If you are considering surgery like this, Dr. Buford is your guy!”

– Katie

Discussing Your Treatment Options

At BEAUTY by BUFORD, our team offers several liposuction treatment options that provide dramatic results and permanent fat-burning solutions. As an expert surgeon with decades of cosmetic experience, Dr. Buford has worked as a consultant and trainer for both VASER and Renuvion, putting him at the forefront of liposuction best practices.

VASER Liposuction

Dr. Buford uses VASER technology for liposuction procedures performed both in-house and in the OR. This highly advanced tool uses ultrasonic waves to separate and remove fat safely and effectively. Liposuction is often paired with other cosmetic techniques like Renuvion.

MicroAire Power Assisted Liposuction

This cutting-edge liposuction alternative utilizes the power of vibrations to help break up fat deposits and remove large or small volumes of fat. MicroAire can also be paired with other treatments for better results.

Renuvion

Depending on your skin’s natural elasticity, your skin may shrink to fit your new slimmed-down body. However, this isn’t the case for all patients. We recommend pairing liposuction with Renuvion to tighten and firm your skin post-operation.

EON Body Contouring

For patients who are unsure about making the commitment to liposuction surgery but still want similar body contouring results, EON touchless body contouring may be right for you. This comfortable, pain-free procedure uses laser heat energy on specific body sections to kill fat cells and prevent them from returning. Plus, it’s the only FDA-approved, fully-robotic, no-touch method for dissolving fat – and it works!

Find Your Best Self at BEAUTY by BUFORD

Your ideal body is waiting for you, and Dr. Buford has the expertise to help bring it to light. Whether you’re looking for large-volume liposuction or want to start light with EON body contouring, your team in Lone Tree is here to help you find the best process for your needs. Schedule your body contouring consultation with Dr. Buford today!