Houston & Pearland, TX
Liposuction

Introduction to Liposuction

Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how much you exercise or what diet you follow—pockets of stubborn fat deposits seem impossible to eliminate. Premier Plastic Surgery provides targeted fat reduction with liposuction expert, Christopher Hankins, MD.

We are located in Pearland, TX conveniently serving patients in and Friendswood, Lake Jackson, Marvel, Clearlake and the surrounding areas of South Houston.

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Transform Your Body with Liposuction – Only $599/Area!

Unlock your ideal body shape with Dr. Christopher Hankins, Houston’s top plastic surgeon. For a limited time, qualified patients can receive liposuction at an unbeatable $599 per area. Spots are filling fast – take the first step towards the body you deserve!

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Home | Body Contouring | Liposuction

Before & After
Liposuction Results

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction, or suction-assisted lipectomy, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, with thousands of procedures performed annually in the United States. It can be performed on its own or used in combination with other body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck, Brazilian butt lift, and more. Men and women who desire to remove localized fat deposits in various parts of their bodies can benefit from expert liposuction to remove targeted fat deposits and shape their bodies.

Dr. Hankins has helped his patients remove unwanted fat from the following areas:

Abdomen
Back (bra roll in women)
Buttocks
Chest
Face (cheeks, chin, and neck)
Knees (inner)
Thighs
Upper arms
Waist and hips (saddlebags)

It is important to remember that liposuction surgery is NOT designed to help you lose weight quickly but rather to regain your life. During your consultation with Dr. Hankins, he will ask you questions about your medical history and lifestyle to determine if this procedure is right for you.

Types of Liposuction

Liposuction procedures remove targeted excess body fat by suctioning it with specialized liposuction equipment. A number of techniques can be used to safely and effectively remove pockets of excess fatty tissue and slim the contours of your body. The method typically depends on how much fat is removed and the area being treated.

Tumescent Liposuction

Often considered traditional liposuction surgery, it involves injecting a large amount of a specialized solution of diluted lidocaine and epinephrine into the targeted areas before the fat is removed with a cannula.

Lidocaine is typically the only anesthesia used to numb the treated area(s) during and after surgery. Epinephrine is used to reduce blood loss, swelling, and bruising. The time required for the liposuction procedure varies and will be addressed by Dr. Hankins during your consultation.

Super-Wet Liposuction

The super-wet technique is similar to tumescent liposuction. The main difference is that less fluid is used during the procedure, it typically takes less time, and it requires IV sedation.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL)

This technology uses ultrasound waves (vibrations) to liquefy and vacuum the unwanted fat with a cannula. UAL may be combined with the tumescent technique for more precision in removing stubborn, dense fat or fibrous tissue.

Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL)

The laser liposuction technique uses laser energy to liquefy the excess fat cells. After the cells are liquefied and vacuumed or drained out through small tubes. The laser energy also stimulates collagen production, which tightens skin after liposuction.

What Are the Benefits of a Liposuction Procedure?

Liposuction is an excellent way to control our BMI. Some of the benefits our patients have received from liposuction in the Houston area are listed as follows:

Better clothing fit

Boost in self-esteem

Long-lasting results

Minimal recovery time

Minimal scarring

More defined body contours

Permanent elimination of fat cells

Who Are the Best Candidates for a Liposuction Procedure?

While a consultation at Premier Plastic Surgery is the ideal way to see if you are a candidate for this procedure, below are some characteristics of the best candidates for liposuction in Houston:

Have film, elastic skin for new contours

Have regions of excess fat

Maintain a healthy diet and exercise plan

No underlying medical conditions

Are not obese and at a healthy weight

Not using this as a bariatric surgery

Realistic expectations

Liposuction First Step
What’s the
first step?

The first step to getting your Liposuction in Pearland and the surrounding Houston area is to book a consultation with Dr. Hankins at Premier Plastic Surgery. During your initial consultation, Dr. Hankins will discuss your health history, mainly because conditions like hypertension and diabetes don’t mix well with this procedure. He will also ask you about your aesthetic and functional goals, as well as your concerns and expectations. Finally, he will examine you physically, determine where your fat deposits lie, and assess the condition of your skin. He will also explain the best techniques for your profile.

Once you’ve had a chance to share your questions and concerns and collaboratively arrive at the best direction for your body contouring journey, Dr. Hankins will help create your customized procedure plan, and our Patient Coordinator will be able to help you schedule your appointment.

You will be provided pre-surgery instructions, which you are encouraged to follow. These include directions on eating, drinking, medications, and use of cigarettes and alcohol, amongst other specifics.

What to Expect on the Day of Liposuction Surgery

On the day of your procedure, Dr. Hankins and his staff will welcome you, get you settled in the procedure room, and review your surgical plan once more in case of any final questions or concerns. Once you are at ease, the anesthetist will administer the anesthesia. The type of anesthesia will vary depending on the area of concern. We might use a local anesthetic for smaller areas, depending on what you discussed in your consultation. For larger areas and extensive procedures, we will require general anesthesia for your comfort and safety.

Dr. Hankins will then make strategically placed, tiny incisions, usually only a few millimeters long, to help the cannula enter the body. This cannula, or a small thin tube with a blunt tip that is connected to a high vacuum pressure machine, is then inserted in the body to suck out excess fatty tissue.

The procedure length varies from half an hour to several hours, depending upon the area of the targeted body and the complexity of the patient’s medical profile.

Liposuction Recovery

You can return home to recover comfortably once discharged as an outpatient procedure. For the first day or two, you will need a family member or friend available to drive you home and take care of you.

After liposuction, mild to moderate swelling and bruising are common, so it is essential to rest and allow your body to heal. Most patients can return to work and most normal activities after one to two weeks, but more strenuous exercise should be avoided for about six weeks. After your surgical procedure, it is essential to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Liposuction Cost
How Much Does Liposuction Cost in Houston, TX?

The cost of Liposuction at Premier Plastic Surgery starts at $599 per treatment area and may increase depending on each patient’s goals and needs. This price point applies to in-office liposuction only.

We recommend scheduling a consultation with Houston Liposuction expert Dr. Christopher Hankins for a personalized cost estimate and detailed information about the procedure. During your consultation, our patient coordinator will provide a customized quote and answer any questions you may have regarding a Liposuction procedure.

Why Choose Dr. Hankins?

Dr. Christopher Hankins should be your choice for your liposuction in Pearland and the surrounding Houston area. He believes in offering patients only treatments that are in their best interests. His commitment to his patients is to always carefully evaluate the patient, not just the plastic or aesthetic surgery issue under consideration. Dr. Christopher Hankins specializes in face, breast, and body aesthetic surgery. He also has advanced training in hand surgery, breast reconstruction after cancer, and other reconstructive surgical procedures. Dr. Hankins completed five plastic surgery fellowships with highly distinguished physician mentors in the United States and the United Kingdom, including a Plastic and Microsurgery fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine and a Hand Surgery fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Hankins earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He completed his General Surgery training prerequisite for Plastic Surgery as established by the Residency Review Committee in Plastic Surgery and Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.

In addition to his practice in plastic and aesthetic surgery, Dr. Hankins is actively involved in the study and clinical application of anti-aging medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine and a member of the American Board of Pathology (ABP), American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine (AAAAM), and the Texas Medical Association (TMA).

BOTOX & Wrinkle Relaxers FAQ’S

How can you ensure that you do not develop a post liposuction infection?

The risk of infection from liposuction is extremely low. The lidocaine within the tumescent solution which is typically used for liposuction is bacteriostatic. As an all surgeries, it is extremely important that strict sterile technique be exercised during the procedure to minimize the risk of infection. In our practice, we have not had any patients develop an infection postoperatively. We do not suture the portals through which liposuction has occurred, we deliberately leave them open so that all fluid that remains within the tissue can freely drain.

Is Liposuction Painful?

During the liposuction procedure, the treatment area will be numbed so you will not feel any pain. Swelling and bruising can cause mild to moderate discomfort, but most symptoms improve significantly within the first week.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

You return to the office a week after surgery for recovery monitoring. The number of follow-up appointments you will need for liposuction depends on your individual needs and the complexity of the procedure. Dr. Hankins will let you know if and when he wants to see you next.

How Long Until I See Results?

Full liposuction results vary depending on the individual. Still, once the swelling diminishes, you should see visible changes in your body shape and contours within a few weeks after the procedure.

Will the Fat Cells Return After liposuction?

No. Once fat cells have been removed through liposuction, those cells cannot grow back, and we cannot develop new cells. That being said, fat in the surrounding areas can grow if patients gain weight after surgery.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

Liposuction only requires tiny incisions, around a few mm wide, across the treatment area for the thin cannula to enter your body. This means that the scars are small and round in their appearance. Furthermore, a skilled and experienced surgeon like Dr. Hankins will ensure minimal scar visibility by hiding incision areas under natural folds.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Liposuction?

You can start walking immediately, but any strenuous exercise, especially high-intensity cardiovascular exercise, will have to wait four to six weeks.

Can I Combine Liposuction with Other Procedures?

Absolutely! Most of our patients who have had liposuction combine it with other body contouring procedures, such as breast augmentation, a thigh lift, or a tummy tuck, to tighten the abdominal muscles. If you have any personal desires or aesthetic goals you’d like to achieve, please discuss them with Dr. Hankins during your consultation so he can devise a combined procedure plan for you.

What Are the Risks Associated with Liposuction?

Liposuction is an overall very safe and standard procedure; however, there are some potential risks and side effects that can occur, which include but are not limited to:

Blood clots
Bruising
Cardiac and pulmonary complications
Change in skin sensation that may persist
Damage to deeper tissues
Fluid retention
Infection
Irregular contours or asymmetries
Rippling or loose skin, worsening of cellulite
Risks from anesthesia
Thermal burn or heat injury from ultrasound with the ultrasound-assisted liposuction technique

If you observe any of these side effects or anything unusual, please contact our office immediately so we may help you.

How Do I Find the Best Houston Liposuction Plastic Surgeon Near Me?

We recommend that you look for a board-certified plastic surgeon for liposuction in Houston. Research past patient reviews to understand their trustworthiness and collaboration with patients toward their health goals. Further, it might be a good idea to read up on the surgeon’s qualifications, any hospital practices they have had, their research experience, and how long their practice has been running. Finally, we recommend you schedule a consultation with the surgeon to see how you feel regarding your comfort level and respect during your visit. It is your body your health, and you have the final and ultimate say on how you want to proceed. Give yourself that space to make the right choice.

Schedule a
Consultation

If you’ve hit the ceiling with diet and exercise and cannot lose further fat, consider liposuction in Houston. Contact Premier Plastic Surgery today and set up a free consultation! We’re happy to discuss all your options so you can make a well-informed decision. Contact the office or come by in person today. Our office proudly serves residents in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, and the surrounding areas of South Houston.

Houston & Pearland, TX Liposuction