Liposuction in Houston, TX

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat tissue that won’t go away with diet or exercise. People with a healthy BMI can still have areas of fat that they want to get rid of. This procedure can also improve your shape to make it look more sculpted, changing contours and your self-image. You may find it easier to fit into certain clothes and feel more comfortable in specific styles after liposuction in Houston.

The procedure for liposuction surgery in Houston starts with a consultation with Dr. Lapuerta. When you meet with him, he’ll assess the areas that need liposuction and discuss your options and expected results. He takes the time to answer any questions you have about the procedure or recovery period.

As a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lapuerta stays updated on the newest trends in liposuction and techniques that provide optimal results.

Tumescent liposuction, also called the “super-wet technique,” is a common approach used by surgeons. It is a suction-assisted (SAL) form of lipo surgery that first injects a liquid agent into the area that is to be treated. The liquid agent includes saline, lidocaine (a numbing agent), and epinephrine (a medication that controls bleeding). The liquid agent causes the fat in the target area to become swollen and firm, preparing it for extraction. A cannula (a hollow tube) is then inserted and passed through the fat deposits, suctioning them out. This results in the permanent removal of the fat cells that are suctioned out.

Unlike non-surgical treatments that utilize lasers or “fat-freezing,” this technique has a proven history of being safe and producing immediate, significant, and lasting results. Patients who maintain their weight after surgery can expect their results from liposuction to be maintained as well. Tumescent liposuction is a safe and effective procedure, especially when performed by Dr. Lapuerta, whose expertise has earned him a reputation for successful body contouring through liposuction.

If you’ve decided to move forward with lipo in Houston, the next step is to choose an experienced plastic surgeon who has performed many liposuction surgeries with outstanding patient satisfaction. You want to work with someone who has a track record of successful outcomes.

Dr. Lapuerta is a surgeon with more than two decades of experience in plastic surgery. His specialized training in body contouring helps ensure that his patients receive the best results for their overall appearance. Liposuction allows them to appear more toned, balancing their upper and lower half to fit into clothing with ease. Patient testimonials highlight the satisfaction they receive from working with Dr. Lapuerta and the results he provides with his custom treatment plan.

Before the procedure, Dr. Lapuerta will discuss the surgery with you. Together, you will decide which areas of the body need to have excess fat tissue removed. He’ll determine how much fat needs to be removed to enhance your overall appearance.

Houston liposuction surgery can take several hours, depending on how many areas are being treated. Dr. Lapuerta will make several incisions to remove enough fat tissue to enhance the total profile. After the surgery, you’ll wear compression garments to help reduce swelling. You can expect some swelling and bruising and be limited on what you can do until the incisions heal. Expect the recovery process to take up to six or eight weeks before all restrictions are lifted. However, you’ll be able to return to work and most of your daily routines after the first few days.

Many patients worry about the recovery period and the amount of pain they can expect. Dr. Lapuerta will provide prescription pain medication to help you manage your pain. Many patients find they can switch to over-the-counter pain relievers after the first few days. He also gives you information about wound care to help reduce scarring. Expect it to take some time to see the final results from the surgery.

A good candidate for lipo surgery is an individual who has an unwanted accumulation of excess fat in one or more areas. Despite exercising, eating healthy, and being in reasonably good shape, the stubborn pockets of fat refuse to go away, and the patient wishes to change the shape and contour of their body. Patients under 60 and patients whose skin texture is in good shape will generally have better outcomes.

A good candidate for liposuction in Houston should also be in good health with no pre-existing serious health conditions and have an understanding of what to expect both during and after treatment. Dr. Lapuerta is an excellent resource in this regard, communicating with patients the details of the surgery, as well as answering all questions to make sure the patient goes into their liposuction procedure with proper expectations.

The price for liposuction will vary depending on the technique used and the extent of the surgery. With Dr. Lapuerta, the cost of liposuction depends on the number of areas that will be addressed during the procedure and the time associated with performing liposuction on those specific areas. In general, the price of liposuction can range from $4,500 to $10,000.

A detailed and exact estimate of the cost of liposuction will be decided upon after a surgical consultation with Dr. Lapuerta. During the consultation, the extent of the surgical procedure will be outlined, and at that point, the expected cost of liposuction in Houston can be accurately determined.

Dr. Leo Lapuerta has a well-established reputation as a premier plastic surgeon in Houston, with patients from all over the world seeking his expertise. He provides a comprehensive approach to liposuction, looking at the overall appearance rather than just focusing on a single area. He uses state-of-the-art technology and the latest techniques to achieve optimal results with minimal downtime for his patients. He also helps you decide if liposuction is right for you and answers your questions about lipo vs a tummy tuck.

After the surgery, Dr. Lapuerta’s team follows up with phone calls to check in on your progress. You will also attend follow-up appointments to have your incisions monitored and ensure the healing process moves forward as it should.

Before liposuction surgery, Dr. Lapuerta will make sure to explain to the patient both his technical approach and precisely what will occur during the surgery. The key to success in any procedure is an open line of communication between the plastic surgeon and the patient, and Dr. Lapuerta takes the time to partner with his patients to make sure all of their goals are met.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility. Dr. Lapuerta is proud to offer his patients access to a private, on-site surgical facility. Most surgeons ask patients to travel to a different location to undergo surgery, but Dr. Lapuerta makes the experience as convenient as possible for his patients. His on-site facility is solely dedicated to performing plastic surgery, and the site is fully accredited by the AAAASF as a surgery center that contains up-to-date equipment, the latest anesthesia/medication, and trained personnel. 

Liposuction is considered an outpatient procedure that can last between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the areas of the body that will be addressed during surgery. One of the many benefits of undergoing liposuction in Houston with Dr. Lapuerta is that he can address multiple body parts during one surgical procedure. In doing so, Dr. Lapuerta saves the patient time, energy, and recovery time, since they only have to undergo one large procedure instead of several smaller procedures.

After liposuction, patients can expect to be in some slight discomfort, which will be managed with prescription pain medication. Patients can also expect visible bruises and redness in the affected areas. To help speed up the healing process, patients will wear a compression garment on the treated areas. The compression garment will help to reduce swelling and promote proper healing.

While some patients will see an immediate change, It is also important to remember that the final results are not immediately noticeable, as it can take several months for all residual swelling to resolve. Liposuction will produce scars where the cannula incision was made, but these are usually small and will fade over time. Dr. Lapuerta’s experience with the surgical procedure will help minimize any scarring and make the recovery process proceed as smoothly as possible.

Since liposuction is an outpatient procedure, patients should be able to complete their recovery at home. In rare cases, in which a large amount of fat is removed from several areas throughout the body, patients may need to stay at the surgical center overnight for observation. After surgery, patients can expect to feel soreness and some effects from anesthesia. For this reason, patients should not operate a motor vehicle in the 48 hours after their liposuction procedure; patients will need to arrange for someone to pick them up and drive them home after the procedure.

During the first few days following surgery, patients should try to limit their movements and activity to encourage proper healing. With proper post-operative treatment, it takes about two weeks for the bruising to dissipate and for the swelling and discomfort to fully subside. At that point, patients can return to work and their everyday lives. After four to six weeks of recovery time (and with doctor approval), patients can return to the gym and engage in vigorous physical activity without any restrictions.