Are You an Ideal Candidate for Lipo 360?

If you’re doing crunches and eating salads but still can’t get rid of a stubborn belly pooch or love handles, you’re not alone. Many people are frustrated with pockets of fat that won’t budge, no matter what they try.

FormSculpt® Lipo 360 is for body contouring, not weight loss. It’s designed to refine shape and proportions rather than treat obesity or replace a healthy lifestyle.² Think of it as the finishing touch after you’ve already done the hard work of getting close to your goal weight.

While we have no BMI restrictions for Lipo 360, the best candidates for Lipo 360 are near their ideal body weight—typically with a BMI under about 30. However, we have accomplished great results for people with much higher BMIs. You’re living a healthy lifestyle, but there are specific areas around your midsection that refuse to cooperate. Maybe it’s your flanks (those pesky love handles), your waist, your abdomen, your lower back, or even your mid-back. These are all areas that FormSculpt®Lipo 360 treats in one comprehensive procedure.

Good skin elasticity is another crucial factor. After fat is removed, your skin needs to naturally contract and conform to your new contours. If you have significant loose or sagging skin—which can happen after major weight loss or pregnancy—we might discuss combining Lipo 360 with other procedures to give you the best possible result.

If you are combining Lipo 360 with fat transfer or skin excision, being a non-smoker is non-negotiable, as smoking interferes with healing and increases complication risks. We require patients to quit well before their procedure for fat transfer or skin excision procedures done in conjunction with Lipo 360. You should also be in good overall health without uncontrolled medical conditions. During your consultation, Dr. Farrugia will review your complete medical history to ensure you’re a safe candidate.

Perhaps most importantly, you need realistic expectations. While Lipo 360 delivers dramatic, life-changing results for many patients, it’s not magic. Understanding what the procedure can achieve—and what it can’t—is essential to your satisfaction with the outcome.

If you’re unsure whether you’re a candidate, you can always schedule a complimentary in-person consultation at BodyLuxe in Chicago to review your goals one-on-one with our team.

The Main Benefits of Lipo 360

When you choose Lipo 360, you’re choosing a different approach to body sculpting. Instead of treating one trouble spot, this procedure addresses your entire midsection as one unified area.

The most obvious benefit is the comprehensive results. We’re treating your abdomen, flanks, waist, lower back, and mid-back—all in a single procedure. No awkward transition areas where one treated zone meets an untreated one. No need to come back multiple times for different regions. Everything is balanced and harmonious from every angle.

This circumferential approach also means we can truly improve your body proportions. For many women, this translates to a more defined waistline and that coveted hourglass figure. For others, it means finally getting rid of the dreaded “muffin top” that spills over their jeans.

The physical changes are significant—many patients see their waistline shrink by several inches. But what matters most is how they feel afterward. There’s something powerful about seeing a smoother silhouette that reflects your hard work. Clothes fit better, you feel more comfortable, and your confidence gets a real boost.

If you’ve had a C-section, Lipo 360 can also address the stubborn fatty pouch that sometimes develops above the scar, giving you an even more refined abdominal contour.

The fat cells removed during Lipo 360 are gone permanently. Of course, maintaining your results means maintaining a stable weight and continuing your healthy lifestyle—but we’ll talk more about that later.

To see what’s possible, you can browse real patient transformations in our before-and-after photo gallery.

The Lipo 360 Procedure: From Consultation to Recovery

Your Lipo 360 journey with us at BodyLuxe in Chicago is designed around you—from your first conversation to your final, beautifully contoured results. Our surgeon-owned boutique practice on Michigan Avenue focuses on awake, minimally invasive body contouring, so you’re never “just another” case on an operating-room schedule. Led by board-certified surgeon Daniel J. Farrugia, MD, PhD, FACS, who has performed thousands of awake body-contouring procedures, you’re in experienced hands from start to finish.

Preparing for Your Consultation and Procedure

Your journey starts with a consultation with Dr. Farrugia. This is an un-rushed conversation where we listen to your concerns about your midsection and what you hope to achieve.

During this visit, we’ll review your complete medical history, including any past surgeries, existing health conditions, and medications you’re currently taking. We’ll also discuss your lifestyle, diet habits, and any allergies. This comprehensive review helps us create a safe, personalized plan.

We’ll honestly discuss your goals, and feel free to browse before-and-after photos from previous patients on our website and Instagram account to help you visualize realistic outcomes. It’s your chance to ask every question, ensuring you feel completely informed and confident before moving forward. For a deeper dive into what this visit looks like, you can also explore our articles in the “Your Consultation” section of the BodyLuxe blog.

Once you decide Lipo 360 is right for you, we’ll provide detailed pre-operative instructions. You’ll also need to avoid certain medications that increase bleeding, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, other anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin E, and some herbal supplements, for a few  days before surgery. We’ll provide a complete list tailored to you.

Nourishing your body with a healthy, balanced diet and increasing your vitamin C intake in the weeks leading up to surgery gives your body the best foundation for healing. And since you’ll need a ride home, arrange for someone to drive you and ideally stay with you for the first 24 hours post-surgery.

The Surgical Process Explained

On the day of your FormSculpt® Lipo 360 procedure at our Chicago office, we’ve designed the experience to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Before anything begins, Dr. Farrugia will mark your midsection while you’re standing. This precise mapping is crucial—it guides the sculpting process to ensure your results look natural and proportionate.

We typically use local anesthesia for FormSculpt® Lipo 360 at BodyLuxe, meaning you’ll be awake but completely comfortable. Some patients may be better suited for deeper sedation or general anesthesia; we’ll discuss what’s best for you during your consultation. If you’d like to learn more about why awake local anesthesia can be a safer, more comfortable choice, read our in-depth article “Awake and Comfortable: Why Local Anesthesia Could Be the Best Choice for Your BBL or Liposuction”.

Once you’re comfortable, Dr. Farrugia makes tiny access sites—just 2 millimeters long—in discreet locations like near your belly button or along your bikini line. Because they’re so small, they will often disappear or look like a faint freckle. We infiltrate tumescent fluid into the target areas. This special solution contains saline, lidocaine (for numbing), and epinephrine (which constricts blood vessels). It numbs the area, minimizes blood loss, and swells fat cells for easier removal, which often translates into less post-op pain. After this is complete, we take a break so that the numbing solution exerts its maximum numbing effect. During this time, you may catch up  on your shows on our big screen TV or look outside the large windows onto Lake Michigan, Navy Pier and the Chicago skyline.

When you have become maximally numb, a thin, hollow tube called a cannula is inserted through the small openings, . Using advanced fat-removal techniques, Dr. Farrugia gently breaks up and suctions out unwanted fat from your upper and lower abdomen, flanks, waist, and back. The entire process is about precision sculpting to create smooth, harmonious contours.

The whole procedure typically takes under 2 hours, depending on the amount of fat being removed. The best part? You’ll head home the same day—no overnight hospital stay required.

What to Expect During Lipo 360 Recovery

Recovery from Lipo 360 is generally extremely manageable, and we’ll be with you every step of the way with detailed aftercare instructions.

After your procedure, it’s normal to feel groggy and experience mild bruising, swelling, and mild to moderate discomfort. We provide pain medication to keep you comfortable, and many patients find that over-the-counter options like acetaminophen are sufficient after the first couple days.

The most important tool in your recovery is your compression garment. We’ll put this on you immediately after surgery, and you’ll need to wear it for about 4–6 weeks (or as directed).⁴ While it may feel snug, the garment is essential: it reduces swelling, supports your new contours, and helps your skin retract smoothly.

Swelling and bruising will be most noticeable during the first one to two weeks. While you might see some initial improvements quickly, it takes time for all the swelling to fully subside. Patience is key.

Most patients can return to light, non-strenuous work within about 1 week. If your job is physically demanding, you may need more time off—we’ll give you specific guidance based on your lifestyle and the extent of your procedure. Many patients gradually resume normal daily activities over 4–6 weeks, with final results unfolding over several months.⁵

When it comes to exercise, we recommend gentle walks within a few days to help with circulation. You can gradually increase your activity level as you feel better and as we clear you to do so.

Here’s the part that requires patience: while you’ll see improvements as swelling goes down, the final, dramatic results typically become apparent within 3–6 months. For some, the body continues to refine for up to a year. The wait is worth it.

Long-Term Results and Maintenance

One of the most exciting things about FormSculpt Lipo 360 is that your results can last a very long time. When we remove fat cells, they’re permanently gone and will not grow back.

However, while the removed fat cells are gone forever, remaining fat cells can enlarge if you gain significant weight. This is why maintaining a stable weight is crucial for preserving your new contours.

Think of Lipo 360 as a powerful investment in your body. A healthy lifestyle—balanced nutrition and regular exercise—is how you protect that investment. This means adopting sustainable, realistic habits to maintain a stable weight.

Continuing to eat well and stay active not only helps maintain your sculpted silhouette but also contributes to your overall health. You’ve put in the effort to transform your body—now you get to enjoy it for years to come.

If you do gain weight after Lipo 360, the fat will tend to accumulate in untreated areas or in the remaining fat cells, which could alter your newly sculpted shape. However, the treated areas typically remain more contoured than they were before the procedure.

The bottom line? Your Lipo 360 results can last for many years when you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. That’s an amazing return on your investment.

Lipo 360 vs. Traditional Liposuction

When you’re exploring your options for fat removal, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the different procedures out there. Let’s break down what makes Lipo 360 different from traditional liposuction—because while they might sound similar, the approach and results are quite distinct.

Traditional liposuction has been around for decades and remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. It’s highly effective at what it does: removing unwanted fat from a specific area. Your surgeon might treat your abdomen in one session, or focus on your love handles in another. The challenge? When you only treat one area at a time, you can sometimes end up with “transition areas”—those noticeable lines or uneven spots where treated zones meet untreated ones. It’s a bit like painting just one wall in a room—the difference can be obvious.

Lipo 360 takes a completely different philosophy. Instead of spot-treating, we sculpt your entire midsection as one unified canvas. We’re talking about your upper and lower abdomen, both flanks (those stubborn love handles), your waist, lower back, and mid-back—all treated together in a single procedure. This comprehensive approach is in line with modern principles of circumferential body contouring and allows us to create smooth, natural-looking contours that flow seamlessly from front to back, with no awkward stopping points or visible transitions.⁶

Think of it this way: traditional liposuction is like editing individual photos, while Lipo 360 is like creating a panoramic view. Everything works together harmoniously to improve your overall body proportions.

Here’s how they compare side by side:

Lipo 360 vs. Tummy Tuck: Understanding the Difference

It’s also important to understand how Lipo 360 differs from a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). While both procedures can transform your midsection, they address very different concerns and work in fundamentally different ways.

Lipo 360 is all about removing stubborn fat deposits. It sculpts and contours your existing shape by eliminating those pockets of fat that won’t budge no matter how much you diet or exercise. The focus is on reducing volume and refining your silhouette. Your skin needs to have good elasticity so it can naturally retract and conform to your new, slimmer contours.

A tummy tuck, on the other hand, is a more extensive surgical procedure that addresses loose, sagging skin and separated abdominal muscles. If you’ve had significant weight loss or pregnancies that stretched your skin beyond its ability to bounce back, a tummy tuck removes that excess skin and tightens the underlying muscle wall. It’s a more invasive surgery with a longer recovery time—often several weeks before you’re fully back to normal activities.

Some patients benefit from combining both procedures. If you have stubborn fat deposits and loose skin, we might recommend Lipo 360 along with a tummy tuck to achieve comprehensive results. During your consultation at BodyLuxe, we’ll assess your unique situation and help you understand which approach—or combination of approaches—will give you the results you’re hoping for.

The key question we ask is: What’s your main concern? If it’s excess fat with good skin tone, Lipo 360 is likely your best option. If it’s loose, hanging skin or muscle separation, a tummy tuck might be more appropriate. And if it’s both? We can discuss a custom combination based on your body and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know you have questions, and we’re here to provide clear, straightforward answers.

How much does Lipo 360 cost and is it covered by insurance?

The cost of Lipo 360 is a significant consideration. We want to be transparent about what you can expect, while emphasizing that only a personalized consultation can give you an exact quote.

• Average Cost Range: In the United States, many Lipo 360 packages fall somewhere between $3,000 and $8,000, depending on the number of areas treated, your anatomy, and whether additional procedures are combined. Recent data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists the average surgeon’s fee for liposuction at about $4,711 (this figure does not include anesthesia, facility costs, or other fees).¹
• Factors Affecting Cost: Several elements influence the final price:
  • Extent of the Procedure: The more areas treated and the greater the volume of fat removed, the higher the cost.
  • Surgeon’s Fees: The experience and reputation of your board-certified surgeon play a role.
  • Anesthesia Costs: This covers the anesthesia provider’s fee and the type of anesthesia used (local vs. general).
  • Facility Fees: These cover the use of surgical facilities and any necessary equipment.
• Is it Covered by Insurance?: Lipo 360 is almost always considered a cosmetic procedure and is typically not covered by health insurance. Insurance companies generally only cover procedures deemed medically necessary. If you believe your situation might qualify, our team can help provide documentation, but you are responsible for working with your insurance provider.
• Financing Options: We understand that cost can be a barrier, so we offer various financing options to make Lipo 360 more accessible. At BodyLuxe, we partner with financing companies to offer flexible payment plans—you can learn more on our financing page. During your consultation, we’ll discuss these options and help you find a solution that fits your budget.

What are the potential risks and complications?

Like any surgery, Lipo 360 carries potential risks. Serious complications are rare when the procedure is performed by a qualified, board-certified surgeon, but it’s important to understand them. Major plastic-surgery organizations highlight risks such as bleeding, infection, contour irregularities, and blood clots or fat embolism in rare cases.³

• Common Side Effects: After Lipo 360, it’s normal to experience:
  • Bruising: This is expected and will gradually fade over a few weeks.
  • Swelling: Swelling is also common and some of the swelling can persist for several weeks as your body heals.
  • Soreness/Discomfort: You’ll likely feel some pain or discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.
• Potential Risks (less common):
  • Infection: While rare, infection is a possibility with any incision. We prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infections and give detailed wound-care instructions to help prevent this.
  • Bleeding: Some bleeding is normal, but excessive bleeding is a potential but exceedingly rare complication.
  • Contour Irregularities: Uneven fat removal can lead to a wavy or bumpy appearance. This risk is minimized by choosing an experienced surgeon and a comprehensive 360-degree approach.
  • Changes in Skin Sensation: You might experience temporary numbness or altered sensation in the treated areas.
  • Adverse Reactions to Anesthesia: Because we don’t use general anesthetic drugs, but only lidocaine, these reactions are avoided through an awake procedure. We always stay under the maximum dose of lidocaine to avoid issues with lidocaine toxicity.
  • Other Complications: Rarer risks include fluid accumulation (seroma),  deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), or poor wound healing.

We minimize these risks through thorough evaluations, precise surgical techniques, and strict safety protocols. Choosing an experienced, board-certified surgeon for your Lipo 360 is paramount for safety and optimal results. To learn more, you can review the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ guide on understanding liposuction safety.³

Will I have noticeable scars after the procedure?

One of the most common concerns we address is the visibility of scars after Lipo 360. The scarring from this procedure is typically minimal and very discreet.

• Access Site Size: The tiny access sites made for Lipo 360 are very small, 2 millimeters in length. They typically fade away.
• Discreet Placement: Our surgeon strategically places these tiny incisions in less visible areas or within your body’s natural creases. Common locations include near the belly button, along the bikini line, or in the folds of the lower back.
• Scar Healing Process: Scars begin to soften and flatten around six weeks after surgery, but it can take a year or longer for them to fully mature and become inconspicuous.
• Scar Care Tips: While most scars heal well on their own, you can support the process. We may recommend topical treatments once the incisions are closed, such as vitamin E, aloe vera, or medical-grade scar gels. We’ll also advise you to protect the area from sun exposure, which can darken scars.

With proper care and time, the small marks from your Lipo 360 procedure often become very difficult to notice, allowing you to enjoy your new contours with confidence.

Conclusion: Your Next Step Towards a Sculpted Silhouette

We’ve covered what Lipo 360 is, how it differs from traditional liposuction, and what to expect from recovery and long-term results. If you’ve made it this far, you’re serious about changing your midsection.

Here’s the thing: Lipo 360 isn’t just another cosmetic procedure. It’s a comprehensive approach that treats your entire torso as one unified canvas. Instead of spot-treating, this 360-degree method sculpts your abdomen, flanks, waist, and back all at once. The result? A balanced, natural-looking silhouette that flows seamlessly from every angle. No awkward transition lines—just a smoother, more confident you.

The benefits speak for themselves: permanent fat-cell removal in the treated areas, improved body proportions, the possibility of a more defined waist or hourglass figure, and a major boost in confidence. Crucially, these results can last for many years when you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.

Achieving these results requires more than a skilled surgeon; it requires a partner who truly cares about your journey. At BodyLuxe in Chicago, we’re passionate about helping our patients achieve their aesthetic goals safely and effectively. Our boutique practice—located high above Chicago’s Magnificent Mile—specializes in awake, minimally invasive body contouring, so your comfort and safety stay at the center of every decision.

If you’re ready to finally say goodbye to stubborn midsection fat and hello to the sculpted body you’ve been working toward, we’d love to hear from you. Your change starts with a conversation.

If you’re local or traveling in, you can book your complimentary in-person consultation at BodyLuxe or contact our Chicago office to get started on your Lipo 360 journey.

References

1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. How much does liposuction cost?
2. Mayo Clinic. Liposuction: Overview.
3. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Liposuction risks and safety.
4. Beldholm JR. Complete guide to wearing compression garments after surgery.
5. Tampa Liposuction Specialty Clinic. Lipo 360 recovery process: what to expect.
6. Tabbal GN et al. Advances in liposuction: five key principles with circumferential contouring.