Liposuction
Liposuction, or lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that permanently removes fat cells from almost anywhere on the body. The purpose of liposuction is to improve body contours by getting rid of fat deposits that persist despite diet and exercise. Liposuction is not a weight loss method, but it can help sculpt and reshape the body in patients who are at a stable, healthy weight.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to reduce fatty tissue in various areas of the body for a smoother, more sculpted appearance. Targeted fat cells are gently suctioned away using a long, thin tube (cannula) that is inserted through small incisions to create optimal body contours and a well-defined silhouette. Ideal candidates for liposuction are at or near their goal weight and should not consider the procedure to be a weight loss solution. Our board-certified plastic surgeon in Nacogdoches, Dr. Gregory Wittpenn, offers liposuction as both a standalone procedure or in combination with other surgeries.
What Are the Benefits of Liposuction?
For individuals struggling to get rid of stubborn, excess fat—especially fatty tissue that is resistant to diet and exercise—liposuction can provide effective results with notable benefits, including:
- Smoother body contours and improved definition for both men and women
- Can treat virtually any area of the body
- Up to 80 percent fat removal in a targeted area
- Improvement of common concerns, such as love handles, double chins, muffin tops, and bra bulges
- Minimally invasive procedure that typically produces very inconspicuous scarring
With over 20 years of cosmetic surgical expertise, Dr. Wittpenn is highly experienced in customizing each patient’s treatment plan to provide the most natural-looking results.
What Areas Can Liposuction Treat?
Liposuction is one of the most versatile procedures for eliminating both small and large pockets of accumulated fat. Dr. Wittpenn performs liposuction on men and women to create improved contours in a broad range of areas, including:
- Chin
- Neck
- Upper arms
- Abdomen and waistline
- Back
- Hips
- Inner thighs and outer thighs
- Buttocks
- Knees and ankles
In some cases, Dr. Wittpenn may incorporate liposuction as part of other cosmetic procedures, such as tummy tuck surgery, mommy makeover treatment plans, female and male breast reduction, and more. During a comprehensive assessment, Dr. Wittpenn will examine your areas of concern to determine the best treatment plan for achieving an optimal outcome.
Who Is a Candidate for Liposuction?
Liposuction is appropriate for adult men and women who are mentally and physically healthy, do not smoke and wish to get rid of stubborn, unwanted body fat in targeted areas, such as the:
- Chin and neck (see neck liposuction)
- Upper arms
- Back, bra line and flanks
- Abdomen, belly and love handles
- Hips
- Inner thighs and outer thighs
- Buttocks
- Knees and ankles
How Is the Liposuction Procedure Performed?
Every liposuction procedure uses some method to dislodge fat cells in the treated area before they are suctioned out through a small tube called a cannula. Power-assisted liposuction uses ultrasonic energy for fat disruption, while other types of liposuction use lasers, tumescent anesthetic, electronic energy, compressed air or a combination of these tools to break up fat cells. Regardless of the fat disruption method used during liposuction, the procedure will take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours or more, depending on the number of areas being treated. Local anesthesia with sedation is typically used during liposuction, however general anesthesia is also an option.
Liposuction recovery takes about a week, at which point most patients return to work. Swelling, bruising and soreness may persist for a few days to several weeks, and use of a compression garment and pain medication may be recommended to reduce side effects.
What Is Recovery Like After Liposuction?
One of the most beneficial aspects of liposuction is that recovery is typically well-tolerated by most patients due to the small incisions used and the fact that the underlying tissues/musculature remain intact. It is normal to experience some degree of swelling, bruising, and tenderness at the treatment site, but those symptoms usually resolve within a few days or weeks.
Factors such as the volume of fat removed and the number of areas treated can affect each patient’s unique rate of healing. In general, most liposuction patients are able to return to work and light activity within 7 to 10 days. During recovery, it’s important to closely follow post-surgical instructions, especially when it comes to wearing compression garments to protect the incision site(s) and help support the shape of your new contours. Although initial improvements may be seen following surgery, it may take four to six months for the final contours to settle and all swelling to subside.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
The cost of liposuction can vary widely depending on the size of the treatment area, the number of areas being treated, the expertise of your plastic surgeon, and your geographic location. On average in Nacogdoches, patients can expect to pay less than other major cities in the U.S., although combination treatments involving multiple areas will typically involve a higher quote. After assessing your individual goals in a consultation, our office will provide you with a personalized cost estimate inclusive of the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, facility costs, and other related expenses.
Since liposuction is considered a cosmetic procedure, surgery is not covered by insurance. Fortunately, plastic surgery financing options are available to make the procedure more accessible. At New Horizons Plastic Surgery, we accept payment plans from CareCredit® and ALPHAEON™ Credit, which offer flexible monthly payment plans for qualified patients without having to pay everything upfront. These financing programs often include low-interest or no-interest promotional plans, making it easier to move forward with liposuction when the timing is right.
Are There Any Liposuction Alternatives?
While liposuction remains one of the most effective procedures for removing localized fat deposits, this procedure is not always the right solution for every patient. For individuals with loose skin and weakened internal muscles, tummy tuck surgery can help transform the abdominal contour. Unlike liposuction, which only targets fat, a tummy tuck removes excess skin and tightens separated abdominal muscles to create a smoother, firmer midsection. If you struggle with a bulging abdomen, a tummy tuck can be especially beneficial — particularly if you have experienced significant weight loss or pregnancy, as these factors often leave behind sagging skin that liposuction alone cannot correct. In fact, many patients who initially consider liposuction for abdominal reshaping ultimately discover that a tummy tuck better addresses their concerns by improving both skin tone and muscle structure.
Some patients may even benefit from a combination of the two procedures: liposuction for precise fat reduction and a tummy tuck for comprehensive recontouring. During your consultation, Dr. Wittpenn will evaluate your anatomy and aesthetic goals to recommend the procedure (or combination of procedures) that will deliver the best outcome for your unique needs.
Contact New Horizons Plastic Surgery
If you’re seriously considering liposuction to get rid of unwanted body fat, contact New Horizons Plastic Surgery at (936) 564-3744 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gregory Wittpenn. Dr. Wittpenn is an expert Nacogdoches plastic surgeon serving patients throughout eastern Texas and western Louisiana, including residents of Longview, Lufkin, Huntsville, Tyler and Shreveport.