Liposuction
Houston, TX

Liposuction removes stubborn fat that you cannot shed with diet and exercise. While you will lose some weight with liposuction treatment, it is not a method to treat obesity. Liposuction is often part of a body contouring procedure after bariatric surgery, as some pockets of fat can remain. Liposuction will enhance the results of your efforts to lose weight but is not a treatment for obesity. It is necessary to be at a healthy weight to undergo the procedure – it is geared to remove pockets of fat that linger at tummy, thighs, buttocks, or at love handles, back or other area.

Liposuction is less invasive and only involves the removal of fatty deposits on the body, including the abdomen. A tummy tuck involves removing excess skin as well as tightening the abdominal muscles in addition to fat removal. Liposuction is often used as part of a tummy tuck to remove pockets of fat in the abdomen. Liposuction does not involve the removal of excess skin, or skin tightening. Those who have very lax skin quality may be candidates for a tummy tuck, rather than liposuction.

Liposuction is generally safe, especially when performed by our Houston board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lyos. The key to safety during liposuction is the care with which the procedure is performed, along with a conservative removal of fat, rather than extensive, which poses more risk. The more fat that is removed, the greater the likelihood for complications. The risks include bleeding and infection, but these complications are rare under the care of a highly-qualified and experience plastic surgeon. Always ensure you are being treated in an accredited surgical center that follows stringent safety protocols, as you will find at Lyos Plastic Surgery and Dermatology Associates in Houston.

The length of a liposuction treatment varies from patient to patient, depending upon the quantity of fat to be removed. The procedure length also depends upon what areas require fat reduction, or if multiple procedures are being performed, such as a tummy tuck or other procedure. An average treatment time for liposuction is roughly two to three hours.

Side effects of liposuction include bruising and swelling in the treatment area as well as the potential for numbness. Lumpiness or unevenness on the surface of the treated area can sometimes occur as well as risk of bleeding, infection, or damage to internal structures such as veins or nerves, although these are rare. It is imperative that liposuction is performed by a qualified and board-certified surgeon who uses the most advanced liposuction techniques for smoother, more attractive results.

Liposuction can be combined with other procedures. It is often performed in combination with a tummy tuck, breast reduction, or other procedures. When combined with a tummy tuck, liposuction allows the excess fat to be removed, along with removing drooping excess skin. The abdominal muscle structure will be tightened for a smooth, more attractive profile – free from unsightly bulges. This is perfect for someone who has already lost a considerable amount of weight and requires more than just fat removal to achieve a trim body contour.

There will be minor scars at the incision sites, but these are minimally visible. The visibility of scars depends on the surgeon’s skill in the procedure and your body’s healing response. The incision points are very small, and tiny scars may remain, typically only a few millimeters long, but the incisions are carefully placed so they are hidden from view.

With liposuction, the fat cells that are removed are gone forever. The area from which fat has been extracted will be less likely to develop fatty deposits as there are fewer remaining fat cells. If you gain weight after liposuction, your fat distribution may change. Maintaining your slimmer look will depend on your diet and lifestyle.

If you gain weight after liposuction, the results of the liposuction are somewhat reduced depending on the amount of weight you put on. Fat cells that remain in the body will swell with weight gain, affecting your trimmed figure, but with less fat accumulating in the area treated. Most patients are inspired to maintain and enhance the slimming results by following a healthy diet and engaging in a regular exercise program.

It is not necessary to wait until you are finished having children, especially if you are considering minor fat reduction with liposuction. There should be time allowed between having liposuction and becoming pregnant to allow your body to heal from treatment. If you are worried about gaining weight during pregnancy, then it is best to wait until you are finished having children before undergoing liposuction in Houston, TX.