Even the most physically fit individuals can struggle with localized fat pockets that don’t budge despite their healthy lifestyle. Stubborn and unevenly distributed fat can reduce muscle definition and confidence, especially when wearing certain clothing styles.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a long, thin tube called a cannula to suction away fat cells and sculpt more appealing contours. Dr. Patronella performs liposuction to enhance your body, restore your self-esteem, and give you the slimmer, sculpted silhouette you have always wanted.
The ideal candidates for liposuction are in good health, do not have loose skin around the treatment area, and have unwanted localized fat (one or more trouble areas) on your body. This procedure is best for men and women who are committed to a healthy lifestyle but whose healthy diet and exercise have failed to meet their goals.
A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or less is recommended for liposuction patients as it is a body contouring treatment rather than a weight loss solution. Patients should understand that liposuction does not drastically reduce the number on the scale. While a few pounds are typically lost, liposuction is more concerned with how and where that fat is taken. With precise surgical techniques, Dr. Patronella can slim, tone, and define your physique.
Dr. Patronella may suggest a tummy tuck or a more comprehensive body contouring treatment for those with loose skin due to significant weight loss. This may include a body, arm, thigh, or breast lift.
Dr. Patronella performs liposuction on an outpatient basis at his private, state-accredited, Houston, Texas, surgery facility. He prefers to use the tumescent liposuction technique, which allows him to achieve precise body sculpting and noticeable results with minimal blood loss. This method involves tumescent fluid being injected into the treatment site(s) to expedite the movement of the cannula.
The fluid constricts blood vessels, minimizing the risk of excessive blood loss during surgery and post-surgical bruising. Additionally, the tumescent fluid causes the fat to swell, allowing Dr. Patronella better access to fat cells for faster treatment and more thorough results.
After your liposuction body contouring procedure, you will be moved to a relaxing recovery area for observation. Patients typically return home the same day of their liposuction treatment. Swelling varies among individuals, but most of it resolves within 8 to 10 weeks. Compression garments are placed following surgery to help reduce swelling and bruising, and any discomfort can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.
To prevent postoperative bleeding, patients should follow all the instructions provided and avoid bending or heavy lifting for a few weeks. Most patients can go back to work within one week of surgery.
What Areas Can You Treat with Liposuction?
Abdomen and Waist
Get rid of your unwanted “love handles,” “muffin top,” or “lower pooch” for a flatter, leaner abdomen. Liposuction is often performed alongside the True Form Tummy Tuck® to remove loose skin.
Neck
Submental (under chin) fat can develop due to genetics, weight gain, or age. Sculpt your neck to remove stubborn neck fat or a double chin.
Buttocks
Enhance the shape of your derrière by having fat strategically removed with liposuction, or use this sculpting procedure as part of a Brazilian Butt Lift to reshape and add desirable curves to your backside through fat that has been harvested through liposuction from other areas.
Hips
Reduce fat and recontour your hips for slimmer, more proportionate curves.
Thighs
Stop chafing your inner thighs and eliminate “saddlebags” from your outer thighs to get the sexy legs you desire. Liposuction can also be combined with a body lift, thigh lift, or other post-weight loss procedure to slim the upper legs.
Knees and Ankles
Liposuction can easily conquer flabby knees and “cankles” for shapelier lower legs.
Arms
Wear T-shirts and tank tops with confidence by recontouring your upper arms. Dr. Patronella frequently combines liposuction with arm lift surgery to remove loose arm skin.
What Does Liposuction Cost?
Liposuction in Houston costs vary widely depending on several factors, including the surgeon’s expertise, surgical and anesthesia fees, and the extent of treatment you desire.
To get an idea of pricing, please visit Dr. Patronella’s price list. This comprehensive list includes the cost of surgery, anesthesia, and surgery center fees.
Dr. Patronella also offers financing options, which you can review on his pricing page and discuss with Eva, his surgery and patient coordinator.
What Will My Liposuction Results Be Like?
Patients can expect to see their initial liposuction results as soon as most of the swelling and bruising subside over the following weeks. It can take several months for all residual swelling to subside and your final results to be revealed.
Results are long-lasting or permanent as long as a healthy and active lifestyle is maintained. Pregnancy, as well as weight gain and loss, can alter your outcome.
It’s important to have realistic expectations and some patience with all cosmetic surgery procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction
Complications associated with liposuction are uncommon when the procedure is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. However, there is no way to eliminate risk during a surgical procedure. Liposuction complications may include a change in sensation, bleeding, infection, loose or rippled skin, or contour irregularities. During your consultation with Dr. Patronella, he will discuss his approach to minimizing the likelihood of such occurrences.
Liposuction can eliminate a significant amount of fat cells (up to 10 pounds), but the actual amount of fat removed during a liposuction procedure depends on how much unwanted fat you have in the treatment area(s) and your surgeon’s technique.
Liposuction may not be the most effective option to remove cellulite since cellulite involves the connective bands beneath the skin — not normal fat. Dr. Patronella can recommend other options to treat this common concern.
Results are typically permanent unless you gain a significant amount of weight. Any weight gain will likely be distributed differently than if you had not undergone liposuction since there will be fewer fat cells in the area that underwent liposuction.
While your first thought may be to throw your unwanted fat away after your liposuction procedure, your fat cells have tremendous benefits. This fat can be cleansed, prepared, and used for a fat grafting procedure. Fat grafting can restore volume anywhere, but it is most common in the buttocks, breasts, and face. Transform flat buttocks with a Brazilian Butt Lift, restore subtle breast fullness (or add better implant coverage) with fat transfer to the breast, and improve facial contours with fat transfer to the face. Fat is a natural augmenting material, comes without risk of rejection or allergies, and provides long-lasting fullness.
Dr. Patronella is a world-renowned, board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience in the Houston community and abroad.
If you are interested in liposuction, call Dr. Patronella’s Houston office at (713) 575-1996 to schedule your in-office or virtual consultation. If you prefer, click here to fill out our contact form.
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