Liposuction

The latest liposuction techniques can contour the body to improve contour and to address stubborn pockets of fatty tissue. Top Austin plastic surgeon Steven Holzman, MD offers body sculpting for virtually every area of the body, including popular “trouble spots” like the flanks (love handles), thighs, abdomen, and upper arms. Talk to us today to learn more or to schedule a consultation.

• What Is Liposuction?
• Liposuction Treatment Areas
• Liposuction Candidates
• Liposuction Procedure
• Liposuction Recovery
• Liposuction Results
• Liposuction Cost

What Areas of the Body Can Liposuction Treat?

Unwanted fat can develop anywhere, and liposuction can often address even small areas. At our practice, Dr. Holzman offers liposuction for the following regions:

• Chin and neck
• Arms
• Abdomen
• Back
• Flanks (“love handles”)
• Hips
• Inner and outer thighs
• Lower legs (for a more athletic/sculpted appearance)

Before

After

Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

If you’re in good general health, have reasonable expectations for your treatment, and would like to address focused areas of stubborn fatty tissue, you may be a good candidate for this technique. It’s important to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss method, and patients should be at or close to their goal weight before considering this procedure. Dr. Holzman will review your needs, discuss your goals, and develop a customized cosmetic program to best suit you at your initial consultation.

How is the Liposuction Procedure Performed?

There are different liposuction techniques available, including tumescent, which uses saline and medicated fluid to ease fat removal, and VASERlipo^®, which also incorporates ultrasound energy. Dr. Holzman can choose the one best suited to your needs. After selecting the most effective method of liposuction, Dr. Holzman makes a few small incisions around the area to be sculpted, fluid is injected into the fatty treatment areas, and then the cannula, a specialized fat-removal tool, is inserted. The cannula is moved back and forth to break down fat and suction it away from the body (in VASERlipo, breaking up the fatty tissue is helped along with the use of ultrasound energy). The fluid has saline to saturate the fat, local anesthesia to provide pain relief, and epinephrine to cause the blood vessels to constrict. This last medication is in some ways the most important. It allows Dr. Holzman to remove the fat with a minimum of blood loss and decreases the bruising as well. After the appropriate amount of fat is eliminated, Dr. Holzman closes the tiny incisions, and the patient is dressed in a specially designed surgical garment to assist in healing.

Each area of the body goes through the same essential steps for treatment, although there are a few small differences between each. Some of the most popular areas for liposuction include:

Liposuction of the Abdomen

Liposuction can spot-reduce fatty tissue on the midsection when diet and exercise fail to achieve your goals. Our advanced techniques can smooth, tone, and flatten this hard-to-contour area with beautiful results. If the fatty tissue in this area is particularly stubborn, VASERlipo can be used to gently and effectively remove the tissue with typically great results. Liposuction is often utilized in tummy tuck and Mommy Makeover procedures to enhance the results.

Liposuction of the Flanks

The “love handles” are some of the hardest areas to contour, but liposuction can create a smooth and sculpted appearance with natural-looking results. Liposuction in this region is designed to create a slimmer, more aesthetically appealing figure rather than to reduce fatty tissue alone, so you can have the curves you have always dreamed of.

Liposuction of the Thighs

The inner and outer thighs often collect unwanted fatty tissue, even in the case of patients who are very active, obscuring the long line of the legs and causing chafing when working out. Liposuction of the thighs can contour the legs for a leaner look and greater comfort in and out of clothing.

Liposuction of the Arms

The upper arms can be particularly difficult to contour through traditional diet and exercise, and liposuction can often provide the targeted treatment desired. Using innovative techniques, our plastic surgeon can sculpt and trim this area for a leaner and lovelier outcome. If excess skin is also a concern, arm lift surgery can help address this unwanted tissue.

What Is Recovery from Liposuction Like?

Part of the healing process involves the use of a compression garment to help prevent and treat the areas of swelling that liposuction generates. This garment is usually worn for about 18 hours daily for four to six weeks. Light exercise can be resumed at about 7-10 days. Most patients will be off work for 7-10 days depending on your job description and duties. People that work from home can resume their job in as little as two to three days. While some improvement is seen almost immediately, full recovery and attainment of the final contour can take up to four to six months, though you may look and “feel” healed long before this point.

Liposuction does not require lengthy incisions or adjustments to the underlying musculature, so patients can expect a relatively swift recovery time and little scarring. After healing, the skin should conform to the newly contoured shape of the body to reveal a slender, well-proportioned figure. The art of liposuction is to figure out how much to remove. Under removal results in less than optimal results and over resection causes irregularity and dimpling. This is where experience counts. Dr. Holzman has over 20 years of experience and his extensive surgical training and knowledge of anatomy will help to ensure that your new contours are a perfect fit.

How Long Do Liposuction Results Last?

Liposuction can provide lasting results without the need for retreatment in many cases, and patients who maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle often experience permanent results. Small fluctuations in weight are normal and should have little effect on your outcome. With that said, if you gain significant weight, the contours in the treated area may be affected, or the contours in other areas may be affected. Everyone responds differently, and Dr. Holzman will provide additional details at your first appointment.

What Does Liposuction Cost?

The price of liposuction costs about $5,000* on average; however, this number only includes the surgeon’s fee. Patients should know that other fees, including costs for the hospital facility and anesthesiology, will also be a part of the total estimate. It is Dr. Holzman’s practice to provide a full quote that includes all anticipated fees for your treatment plan. Factors like size and number of areas treated will play a role in determining your total price. We want you to be well-informed about your options, including your plastic surgery financing options, and will provide comprehensive details at your consultation.

*According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2017 statistics

Ready to take the next step towards your goals? Contact Dr. Holzman to find out if liposuction can help you achieve the body contour you’ve always wanted.