Abdominal Liposuction

Offered at our convenient location in Houston, TX

Abdominal liposuction is a body contouring procedure that sculpts the abdomen by removing excess fat for a smoother, more athletic figure. If you are struggling with excess fat that you are having trouble eliminating with diet or exercise, you are not alone. With liposuction, men and women alike can benefit from targeted fat reduction and an elevated, refined silhouette.

The Clinic for Plastic Surgery team has decades of experience helping patients get their old bodies back with body contouring procedures that strategically sculpt the abdomen for a more youthful look. There is no need to wait to reclaim your physique when a safe, minimally invasive procedure can restore your body’s contours. Dr. Sam Sukkar and Dr. Edgar Bedolla both provide several transformative body procedures that will help you reach your desired aesthetic. Contact our office in Houston or call (281) 940-1535 to learn more about how we can help you meet your body goals.

Before and After Photos

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About Abdominal Liposuction

Excess fat from aging, pregnancy, and lifestyle change is a lingering problem that can affect your self-esteem and the way your clothes fit. These stubborn pockets of fat, particularly in the midsection, do not respond well to diet and exercise. However, as one of the most popular body contouring procedures in the world, liposuction stands out as an effective solution to this issue.

In 2021, patients underwent more than 491,000 liposuction procedures. (1) This minimally invasive surgery has helped thousands of Americans reclaim their athletic, youthful figures and restore a body they can be proud of.

Types of Abdominal Liposuction

  • Tumescent Liposuction: Tumescent liposuction is the standard for almost all modern-day liposuction procedures. Surgeons use a tumescent solution that contains an anesthetic and epinephrine to reduce bleeding and facilitate efficient fat removal.
  • Vaser Liposuction: During a VASER Liposuction procedure, surgeons emulsify the fat with ultrasonic energy using a special probe and remove it with suction. VASER Hi-Def can also strategically remove fat to enhance your muscle definition for a more athletic look.
  • SmartLipo: Unlike traditional liposuction, SmartLipo uses laser energy to liquefy fat cells before they are suctioned out, resulting in a gentler process and a quicker recovery time.
  • PowerX Liposuction: During a PowerX liposuction procedure, surgeons use a cannula that emits powerful vibrations to remove excess fat quickly and efficiently.

Benefits of Abdominal Liposuction

Abdominal liposuction is not just cosmetic. Excess fat can affect your self-esteem. The minimally invasive procedure has helped thousands of patients feel more at home in their bodies. After the procedure, you can enjoy easy-to-maintain results that will last for years to come. Other benefits of abdominal liposuction include the following:

  • Fast recovery
  • Smoother abdominal contour
  • Improved self-esteem
  • Improved mobility
  • Enhanced joint function
  • Exercise more easily
  • Results are easy to maintain with diet and exercise
  • Well-tolerated procedure
  • Long-lasting results

Abdominal Liposuction Candidates

If you have excess abdominal fat you wish to remove, you are likely a good candidate for abdominal liposuction. Generally, patients should be within 30% of their ideal body weight. (2) The procedure is fast, effective, and well-tolerated. However, if you have a condition that would affect your ability to heal, liposuction may not be suitable for you. The best candidate is a nonsmoker who leads a healthy lifestyle and is able to maintain a steady weight. If you continue to lead a healthy lifestyle, you will be able to enjoy the long-lasting benefits of this procedure.

Consultation

During your consultation, we will discuss your medical history, lifestyle, and expectations to ensure this procedure will help you meet your body goals. Some patients may also want to include additional procedures such as a face and neck liposuction, a tummy tuck, or breast augmentation. Please come prepared to discuss your current medications, lifestyle, and body goals.

How to Prepare for Abdominal Liposuction

To prepare for abdominal liposuction, you will need to stop taking blood thinning medications 1-2 weeks before and will need to stop smoking for 6 weeks leading up to the procedure. You should also take a few days off of work to help your body heal. For your comfort and security, it is advisable to have someone accompany you on the day of your procedure to provide transportation home and any necessary assistance. We often recommend meal prepping ahead of time to make your recovery more comfortable and hassle-free.

Abdominal Liposuction Procedure

The exact details of your abdominal liposuction procedure will depend on the type of liposuction you opt for, and the results you are looking to achieve. We will place you under anesthesia, cleanse the treatment area, and mark it for the procedure. Next, we will make a small incision near the treatment area. Your surgeon will insert a cannula, a thin hollow tube, through the incisions to gently dislodge and suction out the unwanted fat cells. He skillfully maneuvers the cannula to ensure symmetrical results and smooth contours. Once the necessary fat removal and sculpting have been completed, he will meticulously close the incisions.

Abdominal Liposuction Recovery

Recovery from abdominal liposuction takes approximately one week, after which you will be able to return to work. If you have a job that is labor intensive, you may need to take more time off. During the initial phase of recovery, it is important to avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and vigorous exercise to facilitate optimal healing. Your surgeon will provide specific guidelines on when it is safe to gradually resume normal daily activities. For the first few days of your recovery, you will likely experience some swelling or discomfort near the incision site. We can help you manage discomfort with medication.

Abdominal Liposuction Results

After abdominal liposuction, you can enjoy a smoother, sculpted figure with long-lasting results. Our patients love the results of liposuction and the effect it has on their bodies. Whether you are looking for a more athletic figure and a sculpted six-pack or a curvier figure, we can help you achieve your body goals. The best way to maintain your results is to exercise regularly and eat healthy meals to prevent excess weight.

Corresponding Procedures

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck removes excess skin in the abdomen for a smoother contour. It can also repair weakened abdominal muscles. Excess fat often results in your skin becoming stretched, and if it has lost elasticity, you are left with an excess that droops uncomfortably beneath your clothes. We can restore your figure with this procedure and help you achieve a smoother, more youthful look.

Brazilian Butt Lift

A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a fat transfer procedure that enhances the size and shape of the buttocks. Using harvested fat from your abdomen, your surgeon can re-sculpt your behind for a more voluptuous result. Abdominal liposuction is an ideal pairing with a BBL, as it can accentuate your figure in more than one way, creating a coveted “hourglass” silhouette.

Mommy Makeover

The mommy makeover is the most comprehensive and customizable procedure for women who are looking to restore their bodies after pregnancy. If you have excess fat and skin from pregnancy, we can perform a tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast augmentation to restore your curves so you can get your old body back. During the procedure, your surgeon will make an incision along the bikini line for the tummy tuck, and an incision along the curves of the breasts for the breast augmentation. If breastfeeding caused your breasts to sag, we can also lift the breasts and remove excess skin for a more youthful look. To learn more about how we can help you meet your body goals, see our blog.

The Cost of Abdominal Liposuction in Houston

The cost of your abdominal liposuction procedure will depend on your body goals and the amount of excess fat you wish to remove. If you need additional treatments, we can provide an all-inclusive quote for your procedure.

There is no need to wait to get your old body back. Thousands of patients have benefited from abdominal liposuction, and you can too. Contact our office or call (281) 940-1535 to learn more about how our body contouring procedures can help you meet your goals.

FAQ

How much abdominal fat can be removed with liposuction?

The amount of fat that can be safely removed during an abdominal liposuction procedure varies based on several factors, including the patient’s overall health, body composition, and aesthetic goals. It is best to discuss this aspect of your treatment plan at your personal consultation.

Will the fat cells return after abdominal liposuction?

While abdominal liposuction permanently removes fat cells from the treated area, it does not prevent the remaining fat cells from expanding if a significant weight gain occurs. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise routine will help optimize and maintain your abdominal liposuction results.

What is the recovery period like for abdominal liposuction?

The recovery experience varies based on the individual patient and the extent of the procedure. You can expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the treated area following the surgery. Pain medication and compression garments will be provided to manage any discomfort and support the healing process.

Can abdominal liposuction tighten loose abdominal skin?

Abdominal liposuction primarily removes excess fat deposits from the abdominal area. While it can cause slight skin tightening due to postoperative inflammation, it may not significantly address severe skin laxity. Patients with concerns about loose abdominal skin or muscle separation may benefit from combining abdominal liposuction with procedures such as a tummy tuck.

References

  1. Valentine L, Angelica Hernandez Alvarez, Weidman AA, et al. Liposuction Complications in the Outpatient Setting: A National Analysis of 246,119 Cases in Accredited Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. Aesthetic surgery journal Open forum. 2023;6. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojad107 
  2. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/