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Liposuction in The Woodlands, TX

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  1. What is Liposuction?
  2. Your Liposuction Consultation with Dr. Rivela
  3. Your Liposuction Procedure
  4. Your Liposuction Recovery
  5. How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
  6. Liposuction FAQs
  7. Get Started Today – Schedule Your Consultation

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Liposuction in The Woodlands, TX, (also known as lipo) is a very common plastic surgery procedure. The reason is simple: the results tend to be extremely satisfying, and many of us have body areas we desire to be thinner. Dr. Rivela, MD and the caring staff at Rivela Plastic Surgery will help you make the right surgical decision during your consultation. Awarded with the Best of The Woodlands Plastic Surgery 15 years in a row, Rivela Plastic Surgery is the premier location for your cosmetic procedures.

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Because this body contouring procedure is so common, and the techniques for performing it are changing quickly, Rivela Plastic Surgery combines state-of-the-art equipment, specialized staff training, and advanced technology to create the best possible liposuction results in The Woodlands and the surrounding Houston areas, providing patients with remarkable body transformation. This page is on traditional liposuction. For information on SmartLipo, click here.

 

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction surgery is designed to remove excess fat cells from areas of the body, leaving areas looking smoother and better-proportioned. It can remove fat and sculpt the body in ways not possible by other means.

This cosmetic surgery procedure can treat chunky thighs, love handles, double chin, saddle bags, and others. Liposuction has become a popular cosmetic surgery procedure because it is very effective and leaves small scars.

Ideal candidates for liposuction are those who have a stable weight and want to improve upon their body contour. Ideal candidates should also have good, elastic skin that will shrink well after liposuction.

Your Liposuction Consultation with Dr. Rivela

At Rivela Plastic Surgery, we will customize your liposuction surgical procedure in order for you to achieve the best results possible. To that end, we provide you with a comprehensive consultation prior to your procedure. Dr. Rivela will examine you and discuss recommendations for the type of liposuction procedure, liposuction techniques, and recovery program to yield the best results. Common liposuction techniques include laser assisted liposuction, suction assisted liposuction, ultrasound assisted liposuction, and power assisted liposuction.

In your initial consultation, Dr. Rivela will evaluate your health, determine where your unwanted fat deposits lie, and assess the condition of your skin. He will explain the body-contouring methods that may be most appropriate for you. For example, if you believe you want liposuction in the abdominal area, you may learn that an abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” may more effectively meet your goals, or that a combination of traditional liposuction and laser treatment would be the best choice for you.

Be candid in discussing your expectations with Dr. Rivela. He will be equally honest with you, describing the cosmetic procedure in detail and explaining its risks and limitations. 

To learn more about our liposuction services, other plastic surgery procedures, and the various fat removal techniques available at our facility, contact Rivela Plastic Surgery today and schedule a consultation appointment. It is important to have a good understanding of the procedure before making a decision. Also, please view the before and after liposuction photos of our previous patients.

MEET DR. RIVELA

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With over 25 years of experience, Lucian J. Rivela M. D., F. A. C. S. is proud to offer some of the most innovative procedures available in cosmetic and plastic surgery, aesthetic treatments, and skincare. Dr. Rivela is board certified and is a member of both The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He and his staff are dedicated to helping you be your best confident, natural, and authentic self.

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Your Liposuction Procedure

At Rivela Plastic Surgery, we will customize your liposuction procedure in order for you to achieve the best results possible. Liposuction using general anesthesia or heavy IV sedation is somewhat less safe than liposuction totally by local anesthesia. Micro cannulas permit smoother results after liposuction. A liposuction cannula is a small stainless steel tube that is inserted through an incision in the skin and removes subcutaneous fat.

About the Procedure

  • AnesthesiaGeneral or sedation
  • Location of operationSurgery Center
  • Length of surgery30 minutes-5 hours, depending on the extent of fat to be removed
  • Length of stayOutpatient for small and medium volume; overnight for large volume

This page is on traditional liposuction. For information on SmartLipo, click here

Your Liposuction Recovery

When liposuction is done totally by local anesthesia, patients can usually depart from the surgical facility within 30 minutes of the completion of surgery. When general anesthesia is employed, patients typically require 1-3 hours of post-anesthesia observation before being discharged.

Most patients can return to a desk-type job within two days after tumescent liposuction. Because of the significant decrease in swelling, inflammation, and pain after tumescent liposuction, patients are able to return to normal physical activities very soon after tumescent liposuction.

During the two days immediately after liposuction, the amount of pain experienced depends on the type of anesthesia used for liposuction. Soreness is usually the most intense 2-4 days after liposuction and then decreases steadily. The tenderness and soreness typically are quite bothersome for up to one month, but gradually subsides over the following 4-6 weeks.

Discomfort: Varies from mild to severe. Anticipate 2-14 days of prescription pain medication.

Swelling: Peaks within three days and dissipates over 2-6 weeks with the majority of swelling resolved within 4-6 weeks. As swelling resolves, it will settle to the lower parts of your body. For example, following liposuction of your thighs, your knees, and ankles will swell temporarily following liposuction of your abdomen, your genitalia will swell.

Bandages: Will be removed in 1-4 days. If drains are placed, they will be removed in 1-2 days and a liposuction garment must be worn continuously for 1-4 weeks, then patients may switch to a Spanx or other compression garment for two months.

Stitches: Will be removed in 5-7 days.

Work: Most can return to work in 5-14 days if they have stopped taking prescription medication. If your job requires lifting, wait 2-3 weeks.

Driving: This may be resumed after you have stopped taking prescription pain medication.

Exercise: May be resumed in six weeks.

Final result: Will be seen after swelling has fully subsided in 2-6 months.

This page is on traditional liposuction. For information on SmartLipo, click here

How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

At Rivela Plastic Surgery, liposuction procedure plans are highly individualized to meet the needs of each of our patients. Because of this, pricing may vary based on multiple factors.  To learn more about pricing, please contact us today to book your consultation with Dr. Rivela.

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Liposuction FAQs

What is Tumescent Liposuction?

Tumescent liposuction describes a form of liposuction that uses tumescent local anesthesia. The tumescent technique for liposuction has eliminated the greatest dangers associated with the older forms of liposuction.

Are there complications and risks?

The most dangerous aspect of liposuction is an attitude that ignores the risk of doing too much liposuction on a single day, or disregards the risks of doing multiple unrelated surgical procedures on the same day that liposuction surgery is performed. As judged by current worldwide experience, liposuction is amazingly safe. Rare problems that can potentially occur with any surgical procedure include infections, bleeding, skin ulcerations, and nerve injury.

How does Liposuction affect the skin's appearance, and are there visible scars?

The appearance of skin after liposuction depends on the skin's elasticity. Skin with good elasticity should appear smooth and natural after liposuction. Scars are not a common problem with modern liposuction which uses very small cannulas (micro cannulas) and thus require only a very small incision.

Is Liposuction a reasonable treatment for obesity?

Liposuction is not a good treatment for obesity. Liposuction is not effective, even as a last resort, for people who are unable to lose weight by dieting and exercise.

How much does Liposuction cost?

The fee for liposuction usually depends on how many areas are treated by liposuction. When only one area is treated by liposuction the fee is less than when multiple areas are treated.

What can I realistically expect after Liposuction?

After liposuction, the new body's shape will be more or less permanent. If a patient does gain a moderate amount of weight after liposuction, then their figure will simply be a larger version of the new body shape. Fat cells that are removed by liposuction will not grow back.

Which body areas can be treated by Lipo?

While the most frequently treated areas for women are the abdomen, breasts, hips, outer thighs, anterior thighs, inner thighs, knees, arms, buttocks, cheeks and neck. In men, who comprise about 15-25% of liposuction patients, the most commonly treated areas include the chin and neck area, abdomen, flanks (or “love-handles”) and chest areas.

What questions should I ask before choosing a Liposuction surgeon?

Decisions about liposuction should not be based solely on cost. The cheapest procedure might indicate that the surgeon does the procedure quickly and incompletely. Feel free to ask any question that comes to mind about liposuction. In fact, it is the patient's responsibility to make sure that all important questions have been asked and answered before making any final decisions about having liposuction surgery.

What are the important characteristics of a safe surgical facility?

Liposuction can be performed in a doctor's office, in an outpatient surgery center or in a hospital. A safe surgical facility for liposuction should minimize the risks of surgical infections. Surgeries should be done in operating rooms that maintain high standards for cleanliness.

What is Liposuction?

The concept of liposuction is surprisingly straightforward. Liposuction is a surgical technique that improves the body's contour by removing excess fat deposits located between the skin and muscle.

Am I a good candidate for Liposuction The Woodlands, TX?

A good candidate for liposuction is defined as any person who has realistic expectations, is in good health and is likely to be happy with the results of liposuction. Although liposuction can often provide very satisfactory improvements, be aware that liposuction results are rarely absolutely perfect.

How does Abdominal Liposuction differ from a “Tummy Tuck”?

A tummy tuck ( male abdominoplasty) is a major surgical procedure requiring general anesthesia and involves liposuction and excision to remove fat, as well as a large excision of skin.

What are Elastic Compression Garments?

Elastic compression garments (specially designed girdles) are intended to reduce bleeding immediately after surgery and reduce swelling the time that the body is healing. Most surgeons require that patients wear an elastic compression garment for a certain length of time after liposuction.

Is it normal to be anxious before having Liposuction Surgery?

Yes. Almost everyone has some nervousness before having a surgical procedure, including liposuction. Some people have more anxiety than others. Liposuction for Men The Woodlands, TX

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Get Started Today – Schedule Your Consultation

Contact the office of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lucian Rivela to find out more about liposuction in The Woodlands and arrange your informative consultation. With liposuction, you can achieve the effective fat reduction you deserve.

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