Liposuction
Houston, TX
Liposuction is a surgical procedure to improve the shape and proportions of the body through the removal of excess fat.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure to improve the shape and proportions of the body through the removal of excess fat. This popular procedure requires a discerning eye to determine the precise location and amount of fat removal necessary to achieve the most ideal aesthetic contours possible. ACPS surgeons, respected worldwide for their artistic finesse, strategically remove fat to sculpt shapelier contours that complement your unique physique.
ACPS surgeons have been at the forefront of developing and refining innovative liposuction and body contouring techniques in the Houston area. They have been invited to share their expertise with their professional peers at numerous conferences around the globe. In addition, their work has been published in plastic surgery journals and featured on television programs such as Inside Edition.
Who is a candidate for liposuction?
If you have an area of your body that is resistant to improvement through diet and exercise, liposuction can be an effective solution to give you the contour improvements you desire. Almost any region of the body can be targeted to reduce excess flab, including the chin/neck, arms, back, waist, abdomen, inner and outer thighs, knees, and ankles.
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Benefits of Liposuction
Liposuction is a type of plastic surgery procedure that can provide people with a variety of benefits. It is used to remove fat from areas of the body such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, neck, and arms that are resistant to diet and exercise. This procedure is also known for being very safe and effective when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon.
One of the most significant benefits of liposuction is its ability to remove stubborn fat deposits from the body. Even with a healthy diet and regular exercise, some areas may remain disproportionately fatty and resistant to traditional weight-loss methods. Liposuction can quickly and safely eliminate this excess fat and improve a person’s shape and proportion.
Another advantage of liposuction is that it is able to sculpt the body. Through careful manipulation of fat cells, plastic surgeons are able to contour areas of the body to create a more flattering shape. This procedure can also help enhance muscle definition in certain areas, such as the abdomen or thighs.
Finally, liposuction can have long-lasting results. After the fat cells are removed from the body, they are not able to return or multiply; thus, the results of liposuction can be permanent. Additionally, patients who maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly will find that their results are likely to last even longer.
Will Liposuction Improve Loose Skin?
In many cases, liposuction may be all an individual requires to obtain the aesthetic improvement she/he desires . However, if loose skin is present in addition to unwanted fat, our surgeons may recommend a surgical procedure to remove the excess skin as liposuction alone, in most cases, will only make the loose skin look worse. For this reason, our doctors often perform liposuction in conjunction with body contouring procedures in which sagging skin is removed such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), thigh lift, and/or lower body lift in order to achieve optimal aesthetic results.
Liposuction Procedure
In a liposuction procedure, a small incisions of about ¼ inch are made in inconspicuous areas of the body. A thin, hollow tube called a cannula is connected to a suction machine and used to remove fat and sculpt a more desirable shape.
The length of the procedure varies depending on the level of contouring that is desired. Most liposuction procedures can be performed in 1-2 hours, while full body contouring may require 3 hours.
The knees, calves and ankles are highly visible and important to us aesthetically. Hips and thighs can frequently be camouflaged by dresses, but only pants can hide the calves and ankles. Attractive legs are characterized by a gradual tapering from strong thighs to delicate ankles. The basic shape of this part of the leg is determined by the muscles and bone, making this an extremely difficult area to change.
However, the latest leg and ankle liposuction techniques follow the procedures for removal of unwanted fat from the body. A small incision is made in the skin just large enough to accommodate a small hollow tube called a cannula. The cannula suctions the fat from selected areas of the body to create the desired contour. Removal of fat in ankles, calves and knees requires tiny incisions on each side of the Achilles tendon and knee. Fortunately the Houston surgeons at The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery have performed thousands of liposuction procedures for knees, thighs and calves using the latest techniques.
These specific liposuction procedures can be performed as outpatient under general anesthesia. After the surgery, patients are fitted with medical compression stockings and must wear these for two weeks. You can expect a recovery time and return to work in 5-7 days.
When sleeveless blouses and dresses are worn, shapely, toned arms are an attractive focal point. The combination of exercise and diet often is sufficient to give the arms a more sculpted appearance. However those who have bulky or flabby arms as a result of stubborn fat, weight loss or aging often wear clothing to hide their arms in long sleeves, which can be both limiting and uncomfortable during exercise and when the weather is warm and lighter clothing styles and/or activewear is a more practical choice.
While liposuction is sometimes all that is needed to restore a slimmer look to the arms, sagging arm skin typically requires removal through arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) in order to restore a firmer, slimmer appearance to the arms.
In an arm liposuction procedure, small incisions are made in the armpit and the elbow. A thin hollow tube called a cannula is used to suctions fat from the selected areas, allowing the surgeon to sculpt the desired contour. As a result of this technique, skin quality is unchanged. Some swelling and bruising may occur, but will diminish in about 3 to 5 weeks.
Fat in the hips, waist, and thighs can be one of the most difficult problems to solve since these areas often do not respond well to diet and exercise. Fat in the females hip and thigh areas has a high level of fat-storing enzymes, enabling her to store fat during pregnancy. Fortunately, liposuction procedures are available to remove unwanted fat from specific areas of the body. A small incision is made in the skin just large enough to accommodate a small hollow tube called a cannula. The cannula suctions the fat from selected areas of the body to create the desired contour. While some patients undergo major liposuction to remove 10-25 lbs. of excess fat, most patients prefer to remove small amounts of fat from specific areas, such as the inner thigh. The buttocks can also be reshaped using liposuction techniques. Although conservative reduction can take place, removal of too much fat results in more sagging, making the buttocks look worse than before surgery. In order to prevent this sagging, a body contouring procedure has been developed which involves stabilizing and reducing the size of the buttocks. Therefore, it is very important to select a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon for the procedure. Liposuction is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes from one to 3 or more hours depending on the area and amount of fat being removed. Recovery also depends upon the extent of your surgery. Sutures are removed in one week and patients can return to work in 5 to 7 days. Normal athletic activities can be resumed in about three weeks. After your procedure, the physicians at The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery may offer a visit to your home by a plastic surgery nurse, trained to assist in your recovery.
The tumescent technique for liposuction is still the most commonly used method for achieving desired results in contouring areas such as the waist, hips, thighs and buttocks. This technique works by injecting controlled amounts of a special fluid under the skin. This fluid causes the fat to swell such that it is easier to remove. This fluid also numbs and constricts blood flow to the area to reduce blood loss. Because there is so little blood loss, there is minimal bruising. Medication is also added to this fluid such that post-operative pain is reduced for 18 to 24 hours after surgery. After the fluid is injected, a special hollow tube called a cannula is connected to a suction machine and then inserted under the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth to create thousands of tiny tunnels where the fat has been removed. After surgery, a compression garment, or girdle, is put on the patient. The tiny tunnels collapse under the pressure of the garment. The garment is worn most of the time for the next 6 weeks. The tissue continues to contract within the tunnel, creating a slimmer appearance. A new method, called Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction, or UAL, is now being used in conjunction with tumescent techniques. And remember, it is advisable that you choose a board certified plastic surgeon who is affiliated with accredited hospitals and surgery centers, to perform your liposuction procedure.
A new method of complimentary liposuction treatment, called Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction, or UAL, is now being used in conjunction with tumescent liposuction Techniques. UAL works by converting ultrasonic energy into heat, literally melting the fat cells, allowing the remains to be suctioned away. This method reduces the amount of trauma to the tissue, since less force is needed by the surgeon, leaving fibrous tissue and vascular structures intact. There is minimal blood loss, less bruising, and better retraction of tissue.
This technique is promising, but there is a danger of burning the skin. The physicians at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery recommend a combination of UAL and traditional liposuction techniques to achieve the desired results.
A consultation with one of our board certified surgeons will determine the techniques best for you. And remember, it is advisable that you choose a board certified plastic surgeon who is affiliated with accredited hospitals and surgery centers, to perform your liposuction procedure.
Recovery
Swelling and bruising typically diminishes within 7-10 days. Our staff will fit you with a compression garment, which will help to reduce swelling and conform your body to its new contours as it heals. This garment is worn for about 4-6 weeks. Most patients find they are able to return to work and other daily activities about one week after having surgery.
Call our office today at 713.799.9999 to schedule your consultation with one of ACPS’s Houston Plastic Surgeons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure that removes fat from specific areas of the body by suctioning it out with a small, thin tube called a cannula. It is used to contour and shape the body, improving its overall appearance.
The results of liposuction are considered permanent, as long as you maintain your weight. However, if you gain weight in the future, the fat can return to the areas of the body that were treated.
Liposuction is a safe procedure when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon who follows all safety guidelines. However, as with any surgical procedure, there is some risk involved. Common risks associated with liposuction include infection, excessive bleeding, scarring, and nerve damage.
Common areas that can be treated with liposuction include the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, and arms. Liposuction can also be used to reduce double chin and neck fat.
Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure and most patients report only mild discomfort during and after treatment. Your plastic surgeon may provide you with pain medication to manage any discomfort.
Body Procedures Pricing Range*
*Pricing varies among our doctors. Please be aware that prices listed below are estimates only. Call us at 713.799.9999 for a specific doctors price estimates for procedures. A customized price quote can only be given to you during your consultation with your surgeon.
- Liposuction (Women) – $4,900 and Up
- Tummy Tuck – $8,800 and Up
- Buttock Enhancement (with fat graft) – $7,000 and Up
- Liposuction for Men – $5,500 & up