Liposuction

Dieting and exercise don’t always work to help you achieve the physique you desire. Liposuction can offer a safe, effective way to get you slimmer contours. At the Houston Cosmetic Surgery Center in Houston, Texas, David Davila, DO, FACOS, provides liposuction for subcutaneous fat located in areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. Call the office or book a consultation using the online tool to learn how you can benefit from liposuction.

Who is a candidate for liposuction?

Once you’ve passed through puberty, the number of fat cells in your body remains fairly constant. These fat cells plump when you consume more calories than you burn.

Diet and exercise can help you change this ratio and lose weight, but you don’t always drop pounds from exactly where you need to. Liposuction helps remove fat in those areas that just won’t respond to diet and exercise.

You should be near your normal weight when you undergo liposuction because the procedure isn’t designed for massive weight loss. Plus, being of a healthy weight is better for your safety during surgery. Dr. Davila consults with you to help you understand the procedure and if it’s right for your health and aesthetic goals.

What areas can be treated with liposuction?

Most problem areas in your body can be addressed with liposuction. The most common treatment sites include:

• Around the knees
• Under the chin
• The inner and outer thighs
• Abdomen
• Back of the hips
  

Dr. Davila can make recommendations as to which treatment areas will best benefit your figure.

How long do the results of liposuction last?

The fat lost with liposuction is gone for good. The fat cells are removed, so they cannot plump back up. But you can still gain weight in other fat cells that aren’t removed if you overeat or stop exercising regularly, so you benefit most if you maintain healthy habits following liposuction procedures.

When will I see the results of liposuction?

You’ll notice results shortly after surgery, but optimal results appear after about three months when your body has fully healed. Liposuction does cause some immediate inflammation and swelling that takes time to resolve.

What should I expect during liposuction?

Dr. Davila offers several types of liposuction. The type you undergo depends on the area being treated, your body type, and your goals. For most of the procedures, you’re placed under IV sedation to reduce sensation.

Traditional liposuction involves using a cannula – a small tube – that sucks the unwanted fat away. This technique contours and sculpts each area so you get the desired contours and body balance.

Dr. Davila may also recommend a “wet” technique in which a solution is injected into your fat to restrict your capillaries, which reduces bleeding and bruising. Ultrasonic liposuction, which uses a specialized cannula system, works best on fibrous fat.

To learn more about liposuction as a fat-reduction treatment, call Houston Cosmetic Surgery Center or book an appointment online.