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BODY SCULPTING
LIPOSUCTION
  1. Houston Plastic Surgery Texas
    2.  | Liposuction in Houston, TX

Liposuction
Houston, TX

Exercising and dieting can help you achieve the body appearance you have always wanted. However, this doesn’t always work to address stubborn pockets of fat in different parts of the body. Liposuction is a procedure of choice for people who are looking to get rid of excess fat and sculpt their body to an attractive, toned contour. This procedure can be used to address problem areas in any part of the body, including the lower abdomen, buttocks, outer thighs, upper arms, and even cheeks. Many patients who receive a liposuction report feeling more confident about their appearance.

Liposuction is the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure after breast augmentation. In 2019, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that more than 265,209 people had this treatment. That was a 3% increase from the previous year. More than 91% of patients who receive this procedure report being satisfied with the outcome of the treatment. The key to a favorable outcome is to work with a highly seasoned plastic 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 is connected to your 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 happy with their procedure outcome. He uses state of the art equipment and advanced surgical methods to achieve the best result while minimizing the risk of side effects such as scarring.

Who is a Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that suctions excess fat from specific parts of the body such as the lower abdomen, thighs, hips, and buttocks. The goal is to contour problem areas that hardly respond 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 fat pockets in a specific part of your body
  • You have good skin elasticity 
  • You are close to your ideal weight with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 30
  • You are already active and are looking to achieve a better sculpted appearance 
  • You have realistic expectations about the outcome of this procedure 

When you visit Dr. Balinger for your first liposculpture consultation in Houston Texas, the surgeon will listen to you and examine your problem area letting you know whether this surgical procedure is for you. Liposuction is a highly individualized procedure. For this reason, Dr. Christopher recommends that you have this treatment out of your own choice, not because someone else wants you to.

Your Initial Liposuction Consultation

During your first Houston liposuction consultation, Dr. Balinger will ask questions and review your medical history to learn more about your health. The surgeon will also examine your belly and skin laxity before moving forward to the next step. This initial consultation – which is offered free of charge at Balinger’s office – offers an opportunity to learn more about what this treatment entails, and what you can expect from the procedure.

Types of Liposuction

There are several types of liposuction to suit the needs of different patients.

Traditional Liposuction

This is the more conventional type of liposuction. Plastic surgeons make a tiny incision in the problem area then use a special device known as a cannula to suction excess fat. This technique is invasive in nature and requires a recovery downtime. If you do not have time off work, you may be better off with less-invasive, modern techniques.

Tumescent Liposuction

This is a very popular type of liposuction that is similar to traditional liposuction. The surgeon uses medicated fluid such as lidocaine and epinephrine to make the fat swollen so that it is easier to remove. A special device known as a cannula will then be used to remove it. The swelling and pain from this procedure can take up to a month, and results can be expected in about 3 months.

Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction

This is a technology-powered type of liposuction that uses a special ultrasonic device to liquefy fat cells. Once this is done, they are vacuumed out. Ultrasound assisted lipo may be performed either internally with a small cannula or externally with a special emitter.

Laser Assisted Liposuction

This is another liposuction technique that uses laser energy to liquify fat cells so they can easily be vacuumed out using small tubes. Because the cannulas used in this technique are very narrow (compared to other types of liposuction) this method is commonly applied in confined areas.
Dr. Christopher Balinger is uniquely positioned to recommend the best type of lipo for you. The surgeon will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of each procedure type during your first consultation visit.

PROCEDURE APPROACH

Liposuction is usually performed as an outpatient plastic surgery, 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
Administer Anesthesia
The surgeon’s anesthesiologist will administer either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation in order to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the treatment. Feel free to discuss the choice of anesthesia with the surgeon during one of your pre-op consultation visits.

2

Create Incision
The surgeon will mark the treatment area and create small incisions that will be used to access the excess fat underneath. Once this is done, a cannula is attached to a special suction pump or large syringe inserted into the problem areas. The surgeon will work carefully to remove unwanted fat cells from these areas.
3
Close Incision
After all the desired contouring has been completed, the surgeon will close the incision using tapes, sutures, clips, or adhesives. The treatment area will then be bandaged to protect it.
The duration of surgery can vary greatly depending on the type of procedure and extensiveness of the treatment. Immediately after the procedure, you will be placed in an observation room where Dr. Balinger’s team will monitor your vitals before you are allowed to go home for recovery.

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Recovery after your Liposuction Surgery

You will need to have someone to drive you home and help out with chores once you are discharged from the surgical facility. The duration of recovery varies from one person to the other based on the extensiveness of the surgery, and the patient’s unique healing ability. You will be provided with a compression garment that should be worn to shape the treatment areas. Dr. Balinger will ask that you move around as soon as you are able to in order to promote proper blood flow. Many patients experience bruising, swelling, and pain during recovery. You will be given pain medication to help alleviate discomfort, as well as antibiotics to prevent infections. You can expect to resume normal activities after about 2 – 3 weeks. However, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are prohibited until you get the green light from the surgeon. Make sure to follow the surgeon’s post-op instructions and attend all follow-up appointments in order to ensure a speedy recovery. Dr. Balinger’s office is available to answer your questions or and provide the support you need throughout your liposuction recovery.

Plan your Procedure in Houston Texas

The cost of liposuction in Houston TX can vary dramatically based on the type of procedure. Most of Dr. Balinger’s liposculpture patients can however expect to pay between $3,500 and $6,500 for this treatment. Health insurers typically do not cover the cost of lipo surgery because it is considered to be an elective cosmetic procedure. During your consultation visit with Dr. Balinger, the surgeon will provide a cost estimate based on a personalized treatment plan developed for you. The surgeon offers financing options for his patients in Houston, Conroe, and surrounding TX areas.

Meet the Surgeon

Christopher Balinger, MD, brings keen professionalism to the operating table. With each patient, the surgeon creates a highly customized plan to achieve the desired procedure outcome while working to eliminate or minimize the risk of scarring and other side effects. Dr. Balinger is uniquely skilled to perform liposuction and a host of other cosmetic surgeries. He works with a team of highly qualified support staff who are committed to the safety and well being of their patients. If you are looking for the best plastic surgeon in Houston for liposuction, get in touch with Dr. Balinger’s office today.

$
Average Cost
$3,500 – $6,500
$
Procedure Time
Same Day
$
Recovery Time
2 – 3 Weeks
$
Insurance
Not Covered
Liposuction is one of the most popular types of body contouring for removing small areas of fat. The procedure is tailored to your specific needs, whether you want to tone your midsection, round out your buttocks, or address issues in other areas of your body. Dr. Balinger offers liposuction for men and women in Houston, Conroe, and the surrounding areas of Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a type of fat removal that targets stubborn fat that cannot be removed with exercise and diet. Buttock, abdomen, thigh, and calf liposuction reveals the muscle contours that are hidden under a layer of subcutaneous fat. The fat that is in your skin is the last type of fat that your body releases when you burn extra calories, so it could take years before you achieve your fat loss goals with calorie deficits.

How much does liposuction cost?

The average cost of liposuction is $3,500 to $6,500. We will discuss your cost after the consultation with Dr. Balinger. We offer free initial consultations at our offices in Houston and Conroe, as well as financing options for our patients.

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 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.

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 eliminate with diet and exercise alone
  • Appropriate for most areas of the body

How is liposuction performed?

Liposuction requires small incisions that are made in the treatment area. The incisions produce small scars that are not visible to most people. After making the incision, Dr. Balinger inserts a hollow tube that is use to dislodge and suction away the extra fat cells.

What is recovery like after liposuction?

You may have some swelling, tenderness, and bruising after your liposuction procedure. You should not put pressure on the area for the first three to seven days to help the tissues heal properly.

How long will liposuction results last?

Liposuction removes fat cells in the treatment area, but it will not prevent new fat from forming around the same area. You can maintain the results of your lipo treatment by continuing to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

Lipo helps with small pockets of stubborn fat on the body. Dr. Christopher Balinger offers liposuction for men and women in Houston, Conroe, and the nearby communities in Texas. Contact us today to schedule a free Liposuction consultation at our office in Houston or our office in Conroe.