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What is Liposuction?

Liposuction, also called lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes stubborn, unwanted fat tissues from a wide range of areas of the body. During liposuction, very small incisions are made, through which the fat tissues are loosened and gently suctioned out.

Why choose Dr. Arroyo for liposuction?

As a top-rated Houston plastic surgeon and an authority in the field of aesthetic medicine, Dr. Christian Arroyo brings professionalism and a commitment to results to his patients, understanding that their needs are unique. His approach is always individualized and approached on a person-by-person basis to ensure you receive the exact results you envisioned. Dr. Arroyo is fully committed to patient safety, and stunning, dramatic results.

Dr. Christian Arroyo performs liposuction to give his patients the sculpted, contoured physique they have always wanted. He performs liposuction at his state-of-the-art treatment facility, where patients experience a welcoming, luxurious environment and a caring, professional staff to help them through their aesthetic journey. Please call today for a consultation with Dr. Arroyo to learn more about liposuction.

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Who is a candidate for liposuction?

Men or women who want to get rid of persistent fat deposits that don’t reduce with diet and regular exercise. Ideal candidates for liposuction in Houston should be close to their ideal weight and meet the following criteria:

  • Are generally in good health
  • Are at a stable weight they can maintain
  • Do not smoke
  • Are 18 years old or older
  • Do not have severe skin laxity (sagging skin)
  • Have persistent excess fat on their abdomen, thighs, neck, and/or other areas

To determine whether you’re an ideal candidate for liposuction, Dr. Arroyo will consult with you to understand your concerns and aesthetic goals. Once he determines you’re a candidate, he will develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your goals for a slimmer, more sculpted physique.

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What are the liposuction treatment areas?

Liposuction can treat a wide range of areas to sculpt and slim your body, including the following:

  • Buttocks
  • Love handles
  • Upper arms
  • Abdomen
  • Hips
  • Bra rolls
  • Lower back
  • Chin
  • Neck
  • Thighs
  • Calves
  • Knees
  • Male chest

Once Dr. Arroyo removes the fat, he will dispose of it, or if you desire, he will store it for use in a fat transfer to add plump volume to an area that has lost its youthful fullness because of aging, significant weight loss, or pregnancy. Based on your needs, Dr. Arroyo will create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

What happens during the procedure?

Depending on the number of treatment areas and the complexity of your procedure, liposuction usually requires two to five hours. Liposuction is an outpatient procedure that is performed under local or general anesthesia. Based on your clinical needs, Dr. Arroyo will work with you to determine the best anesthesia approach. 

There are different types of liposuction procedures, which Dr. Arroyo will use depending on your needs and goals. During the traditional procedure, Dr. Arroyo will typically begin with a small incision in the targeted area, through which he inserts a narrow tube called a cannula. He will then gently dislodge the unwanted fat and suction it from the body. Once the procedure is complete, liposuction incisions are closed with absorbable sutures or surgical glue. With traditional liposuction, patients may have more significant pain and bruising during recovery. Dr. Arroyo also offers the following types of liposuction procedures for patients.

Types of Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction

Also called Suction Assisted Lipectomy, this type of liposuction is a safer and easier procedure than traditional liposuction. Dr. Arroyo will first inject a tumescent fluid (including saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine) that prepares the fat in the targeted area. This fluid is used to minimize tissue trauma and blood loss during treatment. Dr. Arroyo will then make a very small, inconspicuous incision and insert a cannula to gently suction fat cells out of the treatment area.

Energy-assisted liposuction

Energy-assisted liposuction may utilize laser energy, heat energy, or sound waves to assist the fat removal process. The energy heats and liquefies fat cells in the targeted treatment area, making it easier to suction out the unwanted fat cells. This liposuction procedure also stimulates skin retraction and tightening for a more smooth and sculpted outcome.

Power-assisted liposuction

During power-assisted liposuction, Dr. Arroyo will use a unique vibrating device that smoothly breaks down and suctions out larger amounts of fat tissues. This procedure allows for a smoother and easier fat removal procedure.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction

During Ultrasound-assisted liposuction, Dr. Arroyo uses an ultrasonic device that gives off ultrasound energy to help break up and separate the fat cells before it they are suctioned out of the body.

Recovery after liposuction

After your liposuction procedure, expect swelling, bruising and some numbness where you were treated. We will provide a compression garment to help reduce swelling and improve healing. Applying cool packs helps to minimize these effects and improves healing. 

As you heal, follow a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids to help offset swelling. Dr. Arroyo encourages light walking to stimulate circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. Within a few days to a week, most patients are able to return to light, sedentary work. After 1-2 weeks, moderate or light exercise can be resumed.

Swelling will be mostly gone at the 4-6 week mark. By then, more strenuous exercise may be resumed. Scarring is quite minimal, as the incisions are so small that the scars aren’t easily noticed. Scars may fade completely over several months. 

What is the cost of liposuction?

Each patient’s liposuction procedure is customized according to their unique physique and aesthetic goals. Depending on the area being addressed and the extent of liposuction being done, the cost varies. The general average of liposuction cost by area is as follows:

Abdomen $2,500-$8,000
Arms $2,000-$5,500
Back $2,000-$4,500
Breasts $3,800-$8,000
Buttocks $2,000-$5,000
Neck/face $2,500-$5,000
Flanks $2,500-$6,000
Thighs $2,500-$6,500
Waist $2,500-$6,000

After your consultation with Dr. Arroyo, he will design a customized surgical plan for you, which will include all details of your surgery, including the exact price.

What are the benefits of liposuction?

Liposuction is a popular cosmetic procedure because it is extremely effective in sculpting the figure and is considered relatively safe, achieving more than a 90% satisfaction rate with patients. Liposuction provides many benefits for patients, including the following:

  • Slims and sculpts the figure in a wide rage of areas
  • Very minimal scarring
  • Achieves a better fit in clothing
  • Effectively removes fatty male breast tissue.
  • Improves the overall health
  • Results are long-lasting
  • Although liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure, it can result in the loss of up to 10 pounds
  • Eliminates sweating and chafing in areas where fat can build up
  • Improves confidence and self esteem
  • Liposuction often helps to inspire healthy eating and exercise habits

Maintaining results after liposuction

While the fat removed during a liposuction procedure will not return, if you gain weight, other fat cells will grow and you may put on weight on your newly slimmed figure.

Fortunately, after liposuction, many patients find it easier to stick to a healthy diet and exercise routine. Once you’ve fully healed after your liposuction surgery, a diet of healthy greens and proteins will help to maintain your weight, while exercise such as weightlifting, running, cycling, swimming, or aerobics will keep your figure trim and toned. 

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Liposuction for men

While many men follow a strict diet and exercise regimen to ensure an attractive physique, fat tissues can tend to build up, especially with age. Stubborn pockets of localized fat appear on the adomen, chest, buttocks and love handles. Liposuction has become popular with men to achieve a tighter, more sculpted and youthful physique. Dr. Arroyo will consult with you to restore balance and athletic proportions to your body with a personalized treatment plan designed for you.

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Liposuction FAQs

Do I need liposuction or a tummy tuck?

Is liposuction right for me?

How much weight will I lose with liposuction?

Will there be scarring after liposuction?

Can removed fat be transferred?

Are the results of liposuction permanent?

When can I exercise after liposuction?

How long does liposuction take?

Is liposuction safe?

What if I gain weight after liposuction?

Can I combine liposuction with other procedures?

Do I need liposuction or a tummy tuck?

If there is considerable sagging skin or the muscles have been stretched, a tummy tuck is the right choice. For patients who have retained their skin elasticity, liposuction is ideal.

Is liposuction right for me?

Liposuction is best for men or women who are near their ideal body weight and would like to sculpt their physique by removing stubborn fat pockets.

How much weight will I lose with liposuction?

Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, but patients can expect to lose between 5-10 pounds after surgery.

Will there be scarring after liposuction?

Liposuction incisions are tiny, resulting in very small scars about the size of a freckle. Liposuction scars usually heal well.

Can removed fat be transferred?

Removed fat can be purified and transferred to other areas where volume has been lost, including the fat, buttocks, breasts, or other areas.

Are the results of liposuction permanent?

The fat cells removed with liposuction are gone permanently and will not return. However, fat cells elsewhere can still grow if you gain weight.

When can I exercise after liposuction?

Most patients can resume light walking within about one week. More strenuous exercise should be avoided until 4-6 weeks gave passed.

How long does liposuction take?

Liposuction is a short treatment that generally takes less than three hours or less, depending on the number of areas treated.

Is liposuction safe?

Liposuction is generally considered a safe procedure, but it does carry risks, such as bleeding, reaction to anesthesia, or unfavorable results.

What if I gain weight after liposuction?

Your results may be diminished if you gain significant weight, with fat building up in other areas of the body that were not treated with liposuction.

Can I combine liposuction with other procedures?

Liposuction is commonly combined with other procedures, such as a brow lift, blepharoplasty, laser resurfacing treatments, and others.

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