Liposuction

Despite your best efforts, some fat just doesn’t respond well to diet and exercise. Liposuction can help sculpt your body by removing unwanted, extra fat from specific areas to mold smoother, sleeker contours. Liposuction isn’t a weight loss technique but lipo can help with areas of persistent fat that don’t respond to traditional weight loss methods.*

Well-established in his field, Dr. David Dellinger maintains board certifications in both plastic/reconstructive and general surgery, and has more than two decades of experience in performing body contouring plastic surgery procedures. At Elysian Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dellinger works with men and women in the Austin area and throughout Texas who are interested in improving their appearance with body contouring surgery.

Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512-229-1978 to learn more your options for liposuction.

• We also offer minimally invasive BodyTite treatments, so you can be sure you’ll find the right body contouring option for you.
• A double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Dellinger remains committed to continuing his training and education to keep up with the latest techniques in surgical and nonsurgical body contouring procedures.
• At Elysian Plastic Surgery, we know that body contouring is never routine. We follow strict standards designed to ensure your procedure goes smoothly, and your safety and results aren’t compromised for speed or ease.

The best candidates for liposuction are healthy men and women of all ages who have realistic expectations and pockets of stubborn fat. Liposuction may be right for you if you have reached and maintained a stable weight and have firm, elastic skin.

Liposuction can be performed all over the body, including the abdomen, waistline, hips, love handles, buttocks, thighs, knees, ankles, calves, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Liposuction may also be used during a breast reduction and added to a mommy makeover.

During your consultation, Dr. Dellinger will assess your skin tone and the areas where you hope to have liposuction and talk with you about your expectations to recommend the best treatment plan. Keep in mind that liposuction alone may not create the results you hope to see. If you’re a good candidate and prefer a less invasive option, Dr. Dellinger may suggest BodyTite instead of liposuction.

Liposuction can be performed at a surgery center or a hospital. Local anesthesia, with or without IV sedation, may be used if you have a small amount of fat to be removed and a limited number of treatment areas. Regional or general anesthesia may be used if you’re having more extensive liposuction. The time required to perform liposuction can vary greatly depending on the size of the treatment area, how many areas are being treated, how much fat is being removed and if you’re having a combination of procedures.

During your liposuction procedure, Dr. Dellinger will make tiny incisions at the treatment area and use a thin tube to loosen the fat cells and suction them out of your body.

You should rest and take it easy for a few days after your liposuction procedure. You should gently move around periodically and may need to wear a compression garment to hold your tissues together, encourage healing and minimize swelling. You may experience some discomfort, burning, swelling and temporary numbness in the first couple days. You should begin to feel like yourself again within a week or two and may be able to return to work after a few days. Avoid strenuous physical activity for the first 2 weeks. Most of the swelling should subside within 3 weeks.*

You should see a noticeable difference in your body soon after having liposuction. Your results should continue to improve over 4 to 6 weeks. Your final results should be visible in 3 to 6 months after any residual swelling has resolved. Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and avoiding weight fluctuations can help maintain your results.*

To schedule your liposuction consultation, please call our Austin plastic surgery practice at 512-229-1978 or request a consultation online.

How much does liposuction cost?

The cost of plastic surgery procedures always varies from patient to patient. With liposuction, the price will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of liposuction technique being used, the size of the area being treated, the plastic surgeon’s experience, and the location of the practice.

The average cost per liposuction procedure is $3,518. However, this price does not include things like anesthesia, operating room fees and other related costs.

If you are concerned about making liposuction work for your budget, ask us about our financing options.

How do I find the best plastic surgeon for liposuction near me?

The first step is searching for plastic surgeons near you who offer the type of liposuction procedure you are interested in. Once you have a list of names, make certain they are board-certified and remove anyone who is not.

At this point, it is all about finding the plastic surgeon who feels like the right fit for you. Schedule consultations with a few providers you feel most drawn to, ask all of your questions and let them explain how they envision your procedure going.

If you feel relaxed, comfortable and encouraged, that is a good sign that they are a good fit for you. Ask to see before and after photos to see the results of previous patients.

How much pain will I experience with my liposuction?

Pain, bruising, soreness and numbness are all common after liposuction procedures. You will be prescribed pain medication and given instructions on ways to minimize the discomfort associated with surgery.

This may include things like compression garments, drinking a certain amount of water per day, and avoiding salt. Individuals need to make certain they give themselves the proper recovery time to avoid unnecessary complications.

What should I expect from liposuction recovery?

What recovery looks like will depend on how extensive the liposuction procedure is and how your body heals. Most individuals need to take a few days to a week off from work and avoid strenuous activity for several weeks.

Compression garments need to be worn 24/7, except for showering, for the first two weeks and then during the day only for at least another 4-6 weeks after surgery to help control swelling and support results. Dr. Dellinger may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection from developing.

What are the risks associated with liposuction?

Liposuction is a relatively safe procedure. However, it is surgery, and all surgeries come with risks. Although rare, patients should watch for signs of infection, adverse reactions and bleeding post-surgery, as these are the most common complications to encounter.

How do I know if I am a good candidate for liposuction?

The only way to know with certainty if you are a candidate is to schedule a consultation. However, there are certain characteristics most strong candidates for the liposuction will have. These include:

• Good skin elasticity
• Good muscle tone
• Deposits of fat that do not respond to diet or exercise
• Overall in good health and physical shape

How can I prepare for my liposuction?

Dr. Dellinger will discuss surgery preparation with you as soon as your procedure is scheduled. Some general steps to take prior to liposuction include:

• Stop smoking for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery.
• Make sure your diet is healthy, so your body is prepped for recovery.
• Avoid medications that thin the blood, like aspirin and ibuprofen.
• Do not eat for 8 hours prior to surgery.
• Have realistic expectations for your results.

*This information is for education only, and is not meant as a guarantee of results. Your results may vary.