Liposuction
in Webster and Houston, TX
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction removes stubborn fat that often remains even after a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Liposuction can be safely performed on the neck, back, arms, chest, abdomen, legs, hips, buttocks, thighs, and chin. Liposuction can contour the body into a sleeker and more proportional shape.
Read what our patients are saying!
“I had a tummy tuck and liposuction with Dr. Carpin. She was very thorough as well as kind. My surgery went so well and I LOVE the results. She did a phenomenal job! I will definitely be going back to her for more procedures.”
Click here to read more reviews.
Who is an ideal candidate for Liposuction?
Excellent candidates for liposuction with Dr. Carpin still has good elasticity in their skin. This enables the skin to easily tighten down to the slimmer contour once the underlying fat is removed. If the potential patient has sagged, stretched, loose skin, liposuction alone is not the best procedure, as it will leave an area of loose sagging skin, albeit with less fat underneath. In these cases, procedures that remove excess skin, such as a tummy tuck or an arm lift, are better options. Dr. Carpin may combine these procedures with liposuction if appropriate.
Otherwise, just about everyone, no matter what kind of shape they are in, has pockets of stubborn fat that they would like to remove. Liposuction is perfect for the job. As mentioned above, though, remember liposuction is not meant as a weight-loss procedure. It is a body contouring procedure.
Expected Results
Liposuction Technique
Liposuction is performed under sedation or general anesthesia at the hospital. The duration is dependent on the body areas being treated. Dr. Carpin performs liposuction using the SAFELipo® technique with tumescence, pioneered by Dr. Simeon Wall. Using small incisions, a small cannula is passed under the skin to first infiltrate tumescence fluid, which minimizes blood loss. Next, small cannulas are inserted under the skin to separate the fat. Liposuction is then performed to carefully remove deep fat beneath the skin and sculpt the body into a leaner shape. Finally, a cannula is then passed to ensure all the fat is evenly shaped. This process gives smooth contours, minimizes bruising and bleeding, and avoids thermal injury that can occur with laser or ultrasound liposuction. The small incisions are closed and then the patient is placed into a garment to help decrease swelling. Patients may require an overnight stay in the hospital, depending on the amount of liposuction performed.
Recovery
Liposuction patients typically need about 5-7 days free from work. Garments are continued for 4-6 weeks. To prevent blood clots, light walking is recommended early after surgery. Heavy exercise is permitted by 4 to 6 weeks. Swelling can take 3 to 6 months to completely resolve before the final contour can be appreciated.
Read what our patients are saying!
Dear Dr. Carpin, Words cannot express how great I feel and look, thanks to you… Thanks for all you do!
Click here to read more reviews.
Liposuction Cost
The cost of liposuction depends on the number of areas being treated. Average costs range from $4,000 – $10,000. A consultation with Dr. Carpin is required to obtain a quote for surgery.
Liposuction Risks
Dr. Carpin is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has extensive experience with liposuction. Her training and expertise ensure these are safe procedures. There is little risk, as the incisions made are quite small and they don’t require stitches to close. Still, there is some risk.
Liposuction involves the typical risks involved with surgery, such as bleeding, infection, and reaction to the anesthetic, but these are rare with modern liposuction. Complications specific to liposuction are:
- Contour irregularities — The treated area can appear bumpy or wavy. If the patient has inelastic skin, this is more prevalent.
- Numbness — Any numbness in the area is usually temporary, but it can endure.
- Fluid accumulation — Temporary pockets of fluid (called seromas) can form. These may need to be drained.
Liposuction FAQS
There is a misconception about liposuction that the procedure is a weight-loss procedure. It is not. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure. Liposuction is not a panacea for weight loss. In fact, removing too much fat in a single surgical session is dangerous.
Liposuction is intended as a tool to remove stubborn pockets of fat that accumulate in areas such as the lower abdomen and are particularly resistant to changes the person makes in diet or exercise. Liposuction removes these pockets of fat and sculpts the area. Once the skin tightens down, the area is slimmer and more contoured.
Dr. Carpin typically wants her patients to be within 10 percent of their ideal weight before coming in for these procedures.
The goals of these two popular abdominal procedures are the same — a tighter, slimmer, contoured abdomen — but the target is different. For abdominal liposuction, Dr. Carpin looks to remove pockets of fat in the area that are impervious to exercise or diet. This isn’t widespread fat, but areas where fat has accumulated. These procedures have nothing to do with the skin; they address only the underlying fat.
A tummy tuck is all about the loose, sagging skin that is a result of the localized weight gain and loss of pregnancy and childbirth or from the person gaining and then losing a good deal of weight. In these situations, the skin and underlying support tissues have been stretched to such a degree that they cannot tighten back down to their former degree of tightness. In many cases, the extended stomach has actually caused the muscles in the center of the stomach to separate. These muscles cannot return to the center to control the area without surgery. A tummy tuck aims to remove this loose skin, usually relocating the navel upwards. In most of her tummy tuck procedures, Dr. Carpin may also include some limited liposuction to remove isolated pockets of fat, but the main goal is to remove loose, sagging skin and bring separated muscles back to the center of the stomach.
Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Carpin to discuss if you are a surgical candidate, and to review the risks, benefits, alternatives, and expected outcomes of the procedure. Call (281) 333-4600 or click here to send us an appointment request form. Dr. Carpin offers liposuction in Webster, Houston, League City, and Clear Lake, TX, and surrounding areas, including Friendswood, Pasadena, Kemah, Seabrook, and Galveston.
575 E Medical Center Blvd –