Sometimes, you need a little help to eliminate the excess pockets of subcutaneous fat in your abdomen, thighs, arms, or other body parts. When dieting and exercise fail, consider the best liposuction in Houston to permanently remove unwanted fat pockets and achieve a chiseled body.
Best Liposuction
Houston
Suction Away Unwanted Fat
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise is essential for a healthy life. But sometimes, exercise and dieting alone aren’t enough to remove stubborn fat from targeted areas of your body, such as the abdomen, lower back, and thighs. Stubborn fat can prevent you from appreciating the true results of your exercise and workouts. Dr. Erickson offers various liposuction techniques, such as power-assisted lipo and VASER® liposuction, to remove targeted fat deposits and help you achieve a chiseled, contoured body.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a popular cosmetic procedure that can remove excess fat from different areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, arms, neck, and back. The procedure involves using a small, hollow tube called a cannula to suction out excess fat deposits. Dr. Erickson offers the best liposuction in Houston as an effective way to contour the body and remove unwanted fat deposits. That being said, it’s not a weight-loss surgery and should not be used as a substitute for healthy eating and exercise.
Types of Liposuction
Power-Assisted Liposuction
Power-assisted liposuction is performed using a cannula connected to a power source. The power source provides suction and vibrates the cannula tip to break up the fat cells and dislodge the stubborn fat deposits, making them easier to remove. This type of liposuction is more efficient and reduces damage to the surrounding tissues, making it more suitable for larger areas of the body, such as the thighs or abdomen.
VASER® Liposuction
VASER® stands for Vibration Application of (S)ound Energy at Resonance. It works by disrupting the bonds connecting fat cells. This allows them to become loose and more easily removed during your procedure. VASER® is known for providing a more gentle and controlled patient experience than other alternatives. You may make a good candidate for VASER® liposuction if you are currently: 1) healthy, 2) a non-smoker, and 3) not a good candidate for conventional liposuction.
Goals of Liposuction:
- Removing excess fat deposits from targeted areas
- Targeting specific pockets of fat, which isn’t possible with traditional weight loss
- Improving the overall contours of the body
Not a Weight Loss Procedure
Patients who undergo liposuction experience significant improvement in their appearance. However, liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. People who are significantly overweight are not good candidates for the procedure. Liposuction is most successful in people with good skin elasticity and within 30% of their ideal body weight. Liposuction can only remove subcutaneous fat cells from targeted areas of the body, and the volume of fat it can remove is limited.
Dr. Erickson’s Liposuction Technique
The best liposuction Houston has to offer requires, first and foremost, a thorough evaluation with Dr. Erickson. During your consultation, he carefully examines your body, identifies the treatment areas, asks about your goals and concerns, measures the skin laxity, and determines if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. To qualify for liposuction, you should be within 30% of your ideal body weight. If you’re a good candidate for liposuction, Dr. Erickson curates a personalized surgical plan and explains the treatment to you.
Dr. Erickson performs liposuction at our accredited surgical facility under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. If general anesthesia is used, you will be asleep during the procedure. A small incision is made in the skin at the area with excess fat, and a thin tube, called a cannula, is inserted into the fat layer. The cannula is then connected to a suction device, which sucks the fat out of the body.
Depending on your unique condition, the surgeon may use power-assisted liposuction or VASER® Liposuction to ensure optimal results. After the targeted fat cells are removed, the surgeon sutures the incision closed. The entire procedure concludes within an hour or two.
Recovery After Liposuction
Even the best liposuction in Houston requires recovery time. It varies from person to person, but you can expect to feel groggy and sore for the first few days after the surgery. You may also notice swelling, tenderness, bruising, and other side effects around the incision sites. Most people take about two weeks off from work to recover, although you may need more time if you have a physically demanding job.
You must follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. This may include wearing a compression garment, which helps to reduce swelling and support your body as it heals. You must also take antibiotics according to the prescription to minimize the risk of infections. Furthermore, you must avoid strenuous activity, sun exposure, and hot baths for the first few weeks after surgery.
Liposuction FAQs
What is the difference between power-assisted liposuction and regular liposuction?
Power-assisted liposuction breaks apart and removes fat cells using a cannula that vibrates. On the other hand, traditional liposuction breaks fat cells physically before suctioning them out.
How much fat can be removed with power-assisted liposuction?
PAL removes fat based on the patient’s body type and technique. At most, surgeons can remove 5 liters of fat at once; Over-removing might cause risks.
What are the results of power-assisted liposuction?
PAL has the potential for dramatic and long-lasting effects. The fat in the treated regions may decrease significantly, giving the patient a slimmer and more toned look.
Does power-assisted liposuction tighten skin?
Power-assisted liposuction is not meant to tighten skin, although it may sometimes help with skin elasticity. A tummy tuck or body lift may be needed for patients with severe skin laxity.
What is the difference between VASER® liposuction and regular liposuction?
Ultrasonic energy is used in VASER® liposuction to specifically disintegrate and remove fat cells. This is distinct from conventional liposuction, which eliminates fat cells manually using suction which leads to longer recovery times.
Is VASER® liposuction better than regular liposuction?
VASER® liposuction may be preferable for certain patients. VASER® liposuction may be better for stubborn fat or sensitive regions like the neck and chin. Traditional liposuction is better for bigger fat reduction. That said, the appropriate procedure depends on the patient and their conditions.
How much fat does VASER® remove?
With VASER® liposuction, the amount of fat that can be taken depends on the patient’s wants and goals, as well as the area that is being treated. In a single session, VASER® can remove about 4-5 liters of fat, which is about the same as standard liposuction and power-assisted liposuction.
Does VASER® liposuction permanently remove fat?
Yes, VASER® liposuction permanently eliminates fat. Once these fat cells are removed, they cannot regenerate.
Consult Dr. Erickson
Dr. Cameron Erickson is a highly-acclaimed plastic surgeon specializing in cutting-edge body contouring procedures. He takes the time to understand your goals and concerns, following which he curates a personalized treatment plan. Dr. Erickson ensures natural-looking results that conform to your body and goals. Please schedule an appointment to explore your options for the best liposuction in Houston.
