Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck. Liposuction also shapes (contours) these areas. Other names for liposuction include lipoplasty and body contouring. Liposuction is not typically considered an overall weight-loss method or a weight-loss alternative. If you are overweight, you are likely to lose more weight through diet and exercise or through bariatric procedures – such as gastric bypass surgery – than you would with liposuction. You may be a candidate for liposuction if you have too much body fat in specific areas but otherwise have a stable body weight.