When patients meet with one of our body contouring specialists to discuss liposuction, they often say they want to boost their confidence by addressing stubborn fat deposits, refining body proportions, or addressing post-weight loss concerns. The compelling lipo before and after photos featured in this post represent deeply personal stories of empowerment, self-improvement, and reclaiming one’s body image.
The Liposuction Procedure
Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed every year in the U.S. Multiple liposuction techniques are available, but traditional (tumescent) liposuction remains one of the most effective. It involves saturating fat in the treatment area with a solution that causes the fat to swell and reduces bleeding. It also includes a local anesthetic that minimizes discomfort for 18 to 24 hours after surgery.
After numbing the area, a surgeon makes a small incision and inserts a thin tube called a cannula, vigorously moving it back and forth to break up the fat and suction it from the body. Our surgeons may combine this technique with ultrasonic-assisted liposuction (UAL), which melts the fat and reduces bruising.
Liposuction Before and After Examples
This patient came to us because she was frustrated by stubborn fat that remained despite exercising and dieting. The “after” pictures below were taken 2 months after her liposuction procedure. She said her recovery was quick and swiftly returned to all her lifestyle activities. The procedure improved the contours of her abdomen, hips, flanks, and back.
If you avoid wearing tank tops or other sleeveless clothing because you’re self-conscious about the appearance of your upper arms, liposuction may be an option. After her surgeon removed the excess arm fat, this patient’s skin retained enough of its elasticity that it “shrank” to conform to her new upper arm contours.
One of the most common concerns for women and men is excess neck fat that causes the appearance of a double chin. Neck lipo is an excellent option for younger patients with relatively tight and elastic skin. Using a smaller cannula than body lipo requires, our surgeons sculpt a more attractive and well-defined neck and jawline. Notice how, after liposuction of the neck, the patient has minimal skin laxity.
What Is Abdominal Etching?
If you spend a lot of time at the gym doing core and chest work but don’t feel like your effort is showing the results you want, abdominal and pectoral etching can create 6-pack abs and a sculpted chest. One of our plastic surgeons, Dr. Henry Mentz, pioneered the art of abdominal etching more than 30 years ago and is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on the specialized liposuction technique.
Abdominal etching is often combined with pectoral etching or gynecomastia surgery to create a more masculine-appearing chest. The patient below underwent abdominal etching and gynecomastia surgery.
Liposuction for a Brazilian Butt Lift
Is there anything better than getting rid of unwanted fat from one area of your body and using it to enhance another area? That’s what happens during a Brazilian butt lift. The surgeon harvests surplus fat from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or back and then spins it in a specialized centrifuge to remove impurities. The purified fat is then carefully injected into the buttocks, resulting in a shapelier rear end. You can see the transformation one of our patients enjoyed in the before and after photos below.
Get Started With a Consultation
If you’re considering liposuction in any area of your body and want to learn more about the procedure, request a consultation using the online form to meet with one of our plastic surgeons or call us in Houston at 713.231.5924.