What is Liposuction (Lipoplasty)?

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the USA. In a recent year, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has found that more than 265,200 people have undergone liposuction. The results from our liposuction, performed by Dr. Balinger, are exceptionally fine. This procedure can be used to address problem areas in any area of the body.

Average Cost

$3,500 - $6,500

Procedure Time

Same Day (Time Depends on Areas Treated)

Recovery Time

2-3 Weeks

Insurance

Not Covered

What Are the Benefits of Liposuction?

  • Very little downtime
  • Can be combined with other types of body sculpting or as a standalone procedure
  • Removes fat that may take years to shed, if ever, with diet and exercise alone
  • Appropriate for most areas of the body
  • Immediate and long-lasting results
  • Boosts confidence
  • Enhances appearance
  • Can help treat gynecomastia for men
  • Improve overall health
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Before & After Liposuction in Houston

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What Areas Can Be Treated?

  • Tummy 
  • Love handles
  • Back
  • Bra fat
  • Buttocks
  • Outer thighs
  • Upper arms
  • Cheeks
  • Upper neck
  • Under chin

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(281) 982-4407 In-Office Virtual

Who is a Candidate For Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat from specific body areas such as the lower abdomen, thighs, hips, and buttocks. The goal is to resculpt problem areas that have not responded to diet and exercise. You may be an ideal candidate for this procedure if:

  • You are in good physical and emotional health
  • You have stubborn fatty deposits you want to remove
  • You have a good level of skin elasticity 
  • You are close to your ideal weight with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 30
  • You are already active but want to achieve a more sculpted figure 
  • You have realistic expectations about the outcome of liposuction 

When you visit Dr. Balinger for liposuction in Houston, he will evaluate your condition and advise you if it is the right procedure for you. It is a highly individualized procedure that can dramatically enhance your overall appearance, but it must be performed with precision to achieve the most natural-looking result. You will have the opportunity to have all of your questions and concerns answered to your satisfaction when you meet with Dr. Balinger, so you feel comfortable and secure while under his care.

Liposuction has a high patient satisfaction rating.  The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has additional information for those interested.

How much does liposuction cost in Houston?

The exact cost of your liposuction procedure will be determined during your consultation and will depend on the areas treated and the extent of the changes you undergo. Factors that may affect the overall price include the surgeon’s fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, and postoperative garment fees, among others. In general, liposuction with Dr. Balinger will range from $3,500 to $6,500.

It’s important to recognize that cost should not be the guiding factor when choosing a plastic surgeon. Your safety and results depend on your doctor’s expertise, training, skill, artistry, and reputation, so you should spend ample time doing your due diligence to find a qualified professional who can fulfill your vision of a more sculpted, streamlined physique.

Dr. Balinger is a seasoned, Fellowship-trained plastic surgeon who tailors each procedure to his patients’ unique goals for improvement, delivering elegant, natural-looking results in a safety-oriented environment. During your private consultation in Houston, he will discuss the costs for liposuction and provide you with options for financing.

Liposuction in Houston Patient Testimonials

What Are the Different Types of Liposuction?

There are several types of liposuction employed in body sculpting by Dr. Balinger:

Traditional liposuction

This is the more conventional type of liposuction. A tiny incision is placed in the area, and a special device known as a cannula is used to remove excess fat. This technique requires a longer recovery time. Many people will achieve superior results with a less invasive, modern liposuction technique, which has a faster recovery and smoother results.

Tumescent liposuction >>

This liposuction technique involves injecting a medicated fluid, such as lidocaine or epinephrine, to loosen the fat and expand the tissues for easier removal. A special device known as a cannula will then be used to remove it. The swelling may take several weeks to fade, with the final results achieved at about three months after the treatment.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction

This is a technology-powered liposuction technique, using a special ultrasonic device to liquefy fat cells for easier, faster extraction. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction may be performed either internally with a small cannula or externally with a special surgical device.

Laser-assisted liposuction

This is another liposuction technique that uses laser energy to liquefy fat cells so they can easily be extracted with a small cannula. As the cannulas used in this technique are very narrow (compared to other liposuction types), this method is commonly applied for smaller areas of the face or body.

High definition liposuction >>

This lipo technique can be used to create the look of a six-pack at the abdomen by artistically removing fat beneath the skin to reveal or enhance the look of the underlying muscles.

Why Choose Dr. Balinger Houston Liposuction Surgeon

Houston, TX plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Balinger offers liposuction procedures to patients in Houston, Conroe, and surrounding Texas communities. The surgeon understands that your best self reflects your feeling of self-confidence. Working with a team of experienced clinicians, Dr. Chris goes out of his way to make sure that each patient is comfortable, safe, and exceptionally pleased with the results. Dr. Balinger uses advanced, state-of-the-art liposuction equipment to achieve superior results and often combines liposuction with specialized, non-surgical skin tightening treatments for a smoother, more natural-looking result.

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Houston Liposuction for Men

Today’s man enjoys looking and feeling his best like his female counterparts. Liposuction can be performed to sculpt a more masculine-looking chest or to contour the abdomen, thighs, lower back, and flanks. Many men enjoy a more youthful, balanced profile after undergoing chin and upper neck liposuction to remove stubborn submental fat. 

The procedure can be performed on its own or in tandem with a tummy tuck, thigh lift, or gynecomastia treatment. If the natural aging process has left behind localized fat around the waist, in the upper arms, or anywhere in the torso, liposuction can be instrumental in restoring a toned, streamlined physique.

For those individuals who already follow a healthy lifestyle and spend a great deal of time at the gym without being able to achieve their ideal body sculpting goals, liposuction can be a game-changer. It can restore self-confidence and help men to love how their clothes fit. For some, it can even bring a professional advantage when making a first impression at work.

What are the Steps of the Liposuction Procedure?

Liposuction, also known as a suction lipectomy, is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, but this may change based on the type of surgery and the extensiveness of the treatment. In a typical procedure, Dr. Balinger follows the steps below.

1. Anesthesia administered

The surgeon’s anesthesiologist will administer either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation to ensure your comfort and safety during the treatment. Feel free to discuss the choice of anesthesia at one of your pre-op consultation visits.

2. Place incision points

The incision points will be marked, and a tiny incision will be placed for the best access to the fatty deposits. A cannula is attached to a special suction pump and is then inserted into the problem areas. The unwanted fat is then carefully removed from the area.  

3. Close Incision

After all the desired contouring has been completed, the surgeon will close the incision using tapes, sutures, clips, or adhesives. The treated area will then be protected with a compression garment to limit swelling and speed healing.

The duration of surgery can vary greatly depending on the type of procedure and the extent of the sculpting procedure. You will be given full aftercare instructions and will be released to return home under the care of another adult.

What is the Recovery Like After Liposuction?

After your liposuction in Houston you will need to have someone to drive you home and help out with chores. The duration of recovery varies based on the number and size of the areas treated and your unique healing speed. You will be provided with a compression garment that should be worn to help shape the treatment areas.

Dr. Balinger asks that you move around as soon as possible, as this promotes healthy blood flow and faster healing. You may experience bruising, swelling, and some discomfort, and you will have prescription pain medication to help alleviate pain, as well as a course of antibiotics to prevent infections. You can expect to resume normal activities after about two to three weeks. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are prohibited until Dr. Balinger advises you it is safe. Make sure to follow all aftercare instructions and attend your follow-up appointments. Dr. Balinger’s office is available to answer your questions and provide the support you need throughout your liposuction recovery.

Learn more about how to maintain your results with lifestyle changes.

Liposuction and Your Health History

During your consultation, Dr. Balinger will ask questions and review your medical history to learn more about your health. He will also examine your level of skin laxity before moving forward to the next step. This initial consultation is offered free of charge at Balinger’s office. If you are in good general health, understand the procedure and recovery, and Dr. Balinger feels you would benefit from the procedure, a date will be set to perform custom liposuction.

Woman in a bikini on a boat

Liposuction FAQ

What is liposculpture?

Liposculpture is a technique that Dr. Balinger uses to create the look of muscle definition by carefully sculpting the fat in the area. It is beneficial for the buttocks, thighs, and other areas that you wish to have a more refined, sculpted appearance.

What is abdominal etching?

Abdominal etching is a type of liposculpture that mimics the look of “six-pack abs.” If you have abdominal lipo or a tummy tuck, Dr. Ballinger can use abdominal etching to remove small amounts of fat to create the look of toned abdominal muscles.

How is liposuction performed?

Liposuction requires small incisions that are made in the treatment area. The incisions produce small scars that are virtually invisible. After making the incision, Dr. Balinger inserts a hollow tube that is used to dislodge and suction away the extra fat cells.

How long will liposuction results last?

Liposuction removes fat cells in the treatment area, but it will not prevent new fat from developing if you gain a significant quantity of weight. You can maintain the results of your lipo treatment by continuing to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

Is liposuction a weight loss procedure?

No. The maximum amount of weight you can lose with liposuction is 8-10 pounds. Liposuction sculpts and slims small areas of the body.

Will there be scars?

Some people do not have scarring at all, while others do. Whether there’s a scar or not depends on age, genetics and other factors. If there is scar, it will be a small dot about the size of a freckle, and it will fade over the next few months.

Is liposuction painful?

After your liposuction procedure, you will feel some pain and soreness during the healing period, lasting several weeks. Pain levels vary from patient to patient, feeling like a significant bruise in the area. By the end of one month, the discomfort will fade completely. There may still be some minor swelling, which will continue to subside slowly.

Does lipo leave loose skin?

Liposuction doesn’t cause the skin to sag, and if the skin is firm, it will generally remain so after liposuction, leaving the area taut and toned-looking. However, if your skin is not firm or there is a certain degree of skin laxity, your skin will not bounce youthfully back and retract after the liposuction is complete. Patients with significant skin laxity may not be ideal candidates for liposuction.

Can liposuction damage your liver?

Liposuction does not generally affect the liver. However, in very rare cases, an inexperienced surgeon may penetrate too deeply with the cannula and puncture an internal organ, requiring surgical repair. This is one of the reasons it is very important to have your liposuction procedure performed by an experienced, qualified surgeon.

How do you prevent wrinkles after liposuction?

After a liposuction procedure, you can prevent wrinkles from forming by maintaining a stable weight, following a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and wearing your compression garments. Follow the instructions of your surgeon and ensure you stick to these during your recovery period.

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