Are you after a more defined body contour? If you're dealing with stubborn fat that is resistant to exercise and diet, Southern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Institute (SPRSI) provides safe and personalized treatment plans to help you achieve your goals with liposuction in Nashville, TN. Expect discreet care and compassionate guidance from Dr. Nathan Brought and his board-certified team.
Contact Dr. BroughtRefine Your Shape and Restore Your Confidence
Stubborn fat deposits may remain despite regular exercise and careful dieting, which can feel discouraging and limiting. When these areas don't respond to your routine, liposuction offers a precise, effective way to achieve a more contoured shape and regain your confidence. Also known as fat removal surgery or lipo, liposuction removes excess fat to slim and reshape targeted body regions, improving definition and proportion.
Is Liposuction Your Solution?
If you're considering liposuction, Dr. Brought and his staff at SPRSI will review your health history and desired aesthetic outcomes to help you decide whether it's the right treatment.
Ideal Candidates for Fat Removal Surgery
The best candidates for liposuction are in overall good health and have realistic expectations of what this surgery can achieve. Ideal profiles include:
- Being at or near one's goal weight.
- Having firm and elastic skin.
- Targeting defined pockets of unwanted fat.
Although age is not a disqualifier, age-related changes — such as reduced skin elasticity — may affect suitability. Older patients may require additional procedures to treat skin laxity. Ultimately, candidacy depends more on skin quality and health than age.
Common Treatment Areas
Lipo can help if you want to remove fat in the following areas:
- Abdomen and waist
- Hips and buttocks
- Thighs
- Upper arms
- Chest area
- Ankles and calves
- Cheeks, neck, and chin
Your Liposuction Journey at SPRSI
Here's what to expect with liposuction in Nashville at SPRSI, step-by-step:
1. The Consultation
Your visit begins with a private consultation with Dr. Brought to discuss your concerns and goals. During this time, he will assess your health, target areas, and skin quality, then review your options — whether that's lipo or alternatives like a tummy tuck. Together, you'll consider factors like suitability and cost. If liposuction is confirmed as your ideal procedure, you'll decide on a surgery date and receive guidance on preparation.
2. The Procedure
Liposuction is typically performed under local or general anesthesia, ensuring your comfort during the procedure. Office performed liposuction may be an option under local anesthesia for smaller areas of concern. Dr. Brought begins the surgery by injecting a fluid containing medicine into fatty tissue areas to help control bleeding and postoperative pain. He'll make tiny incisions in inconspicuous areas, inserting a cannula to suction out fat cells. Once Dr. Brought has removed the fat cells, he will close the incisions with absorbable sutures and apply dressings and compression garments to reduce swelling.
As this process also involves removing fluids, you'll also typically receive close monitoring and intravenous fluids during surgery to avoid dehydration.
3. Recovery and Results
After surgery, the SPRSI team will provide clear aftercare instructions to support safe healing and help you return to regular activity. This will typically include guidance on:
- Compression garments.
- Incision care.
- Gentle massages.
This way, Dr. Brought ensures you have the proper recovery knowledge and tools. While recovery timelines vary, patients tend to see full results three to four months after surgery.
Why Choose SPRSI?
Choosing a surgical provider for lipo in Nashville is a big decision. SPRSI prioritizes safety, personalized care, and natural-looking results — here's a closer look at why you should choose us:
- Board-certified expertise: Dr. Brought is board-certified, and he works with an experienced team.
- Holistic approach: Get guidance on diet, exercise, pre- and postoperative care, and lifestyle to support results.
- Patient-focused care: Expect attentive, compassionate care — rather than an answering service, Dr. Brought is always available and accommodates evening or weekend appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to recover from liposuction?
Most patients can return to a desk job and light daily activities within 3–7 days. Full physical activity, including exercise and heavy lifting, is typically cleared around the 4–6 week mark. However, final results take longer to appear — it takes 3–6 months for all residual swelling to resolve and your new contour to fully settle. The timeline varies depending on how many areas were treated and the volume of fat removed.
When can I exercise after liposuction?
Light walking is encouraged from the first day to support circulation and reduce clot risk. Light household activity can typically resume by week 2. Most surgeons clear patients for moderate activity around weeks 3–4, and full-intensity workouts — including weightlifting and cardio — are usually approved at the 4–6 week mark, once internal healing is confirmed at your follow-up appointment.
How long does swelling last after liposuction?
Swelling peaks in the first 2–3 days and begins to subside noticeably by weeks 3–4. Most major swelling resolves within 4–6 weeks, though subtle, residual swelling can persist for up to 3–6 months in the treated areas. This is why final results are typically assessed at the 3–6 month mark, not immediately after surgery.
Why do I need to wear a compression garment after liposuction?
Compression garments minimize fluid buildup, reduce swelling, and help your skin conform smoothly to your new contour as it heals. They're typically worn 24/7 for the first 2–3 weeks (except while showering), then transitioned to daytime-only wear. Skipping or inconsistently wearing your garment can increase the risk of fluid pockets (seromas) and uneven healing.
How much fat can be safely removed during liposuction?
The amount of fat that can be safely removed depends on your body size, overall health, the number of areas treated, and surgical technique. Generally, most surgeons consider 5-6 liters of fat removal as a safe limit in a single session for healthy patients, though individual circumstances vary. More aggressive fat removal increases risks of complications like fluid imbalance and irregular contours. Dr. Brought will determine a safe and appropriate amount during your consultation based on your anatomy and goals.
Are the results of liposuction permanent?
The fat cells removed during liposuction are permanently gone and do not return to treated areas. However, remaining fat cells in your body can enlarge if you gain significant weight, which can change your overall contour. The key to maintaining liposuction results is maintaining a stable weight through diet and exercise. Most patients retain excellent results for many years if they maintain their weight and lifestyle.
What dietary restrictions should I follow during recovery?
During the first week, focus on staying hydrated and eating nutrient-rich foods that support healing—include protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid alcohol for at least 1-2 weeks (it can increase bleeding and swelling) and limit salt intake to reduce fluid retention. There are no strict dietary restrictions, but eating well supports faster recovery and better results. Many patients find smaller, frequent meals easier to manage while wearing compression garments.
When can I shower or bathe after liposuction?
You can typically shower 24-48 hours after surgery once your surgeon confirms the incisions are sealed. Use lukewarm water and keep the incision areas clean and dry. Avoid submerging treated areas in water (baths, hot tubs, swimming) for at least 1-2 weeks to prevent infection. Pat the area dry gently and follow any specific wound care instructions provided by Dr. Brought's office.
Can liposuction be combined with other procedures?
Yes, liposuction is frequently combined with tummy tucks, body contouring procedures, fat transfer (using removed fat for augmentation), or breast surgery. Combining procedures allows for comprehensive body shaping in one recovery period. Combining procedures does extend operative time and recovery demands, so Dr. Brought will discuss which combinations are most appropriate and safe for your goals.
Schedule Your Personal Consultation Today
Take the next step to learn how liposuction can help you achieve your goals. Contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brought today!
Dr. Nathan Brought
Dr. Nathan Brought is a board-certified physician who treats patients in the Franklin, Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga region. For more information about VASER liposuction and laser liposuction or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brought, contact SPRSI today.
Information on Other Body Procedures
- Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck
- Weight Loss Surgery
- Panniculectomy
- Thigh Lift
- Labiaplasty
- Fat Transfer/Grafting
- Buttocks Augmentation
- Arm Lift
- Mommy Makeover Surgery
