Are you tired of spending months of dieting and long hours in the gym to get that elusive chiseled abdomen? “Excess fat around your middle” is the number one researched term for liposuction. Abdominal liposuction could be the answer you’re looking for to lose that last five pounds of belly fat and show off your abdominal muscles.
Abdominal liposuction can help you eliminate stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to hours of dieting and exercise. If your current diet and food restrictions have not achieved the slimmer, fitter, and more defined look you have been dreaming of, abdominal liposuction — offered by our board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston — can be an excellent solution.
- Abdominal Liposuction Overview
- How Does Abdominal Liposuction Work?
- Abdominal Liposuction Benefits
- Abdominal Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck
- Abdominal Liposuction Candidates
- Who Should Perform Abdominal Liposuction?
- Preparing for Abdominal Liposuction
- Abdominal Liposuction Procedure
- Abdominal Liposuction Results
- Abdominal Liposuction Recovery
- Abdominal Liposuction Risks
- Abdominal Liposuction Cost
- Abdominal Liposuction Financing
- Complements to Abdominal Liposuction
What is Abdominal Liposuction?
Abdominal liposuction is a procedure that targets localized fat deposits around the stomach through suction technology. It is a cosmetic surgery performed using a local anesthetic in the doctor’s office in less than two hours. While liposuction to the abs can be the perfect choice for patients who have fat around the abdominal area, treatment is not a replacement for weight loss. Since the procedure uses Laser-Lipo to physically remove fat cells from your abdomen, it’s ideal for body contouring and providing a well-defined core.
How Does Abdominal Liposuction Work?
With abdominal liposuction, you only need a few small incisions to get the results you’re looking for. At Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic, our nationally-renowned liposuction specialists use a cannula to target and suction fat from areas of your stomach that you want to slim. We use the Awake Liposuction method, meaning we use only local anesthesia and mild sedation instead of contending with the increased risks of general anesthesia.
What are the Benefits of Abdominal Liposuction?
There are many benefits to removing exercise-resistant fat with liposuction. The procedure is minimally invasive, does not require treatment in a surgical facility, and can be conveniently performed at our specialty liposuction clinic in Houston. Best of all, liposuction leaves virtually undetectable scars and does not require a long period of downtime. By performing liposuction on the abdomen, patients can enjoy:
- Sleeker, smoother, tighter look in the abdomen
- More fit, athletic, and toned appearance in the midsection
- Improved silhouette
- More defined abdominal profile
- Slimmer waistline
- Better fit in clothing
While a nutritious diet and regular exercise are vital to a healthy lifestyle, these efforts do not always translate to a fitter, slimmer abdomen — especially for patients who have had children or undergone menopause. Abdominal liposuction offers an extremely effective and predictable solution to address unwanted fat and restore your desired contours.
Abdominal Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck
We hear a lot about these two procedures, but they are entirely different. The abdominal liposuction procedure eliminates fat using a powered suction device called a cannula. This removes fat cells and tissue, all under local anesthesia. Liposuction is recommended for patients with good skin elasticity and works best for men and women with a BMI of 30 or less. Scars are imperceptible. The procedure is also an outpatient cosmetic surgery procedure generally completed in less than two hours.
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure performed on the lower abdomen. It involves general anesthesia. During surgery, Dr. Payne makes two incisions to remove loose skin. He will sew the muscles in the abdominal wall together if they have become stretched out, pulling the skin taut over the stomach. In contrast with liposuction, a tummy tuck is recommended for patients who have lost elasticity due to pregnancy and deal with excess skin that cannot “snap back.” There will be visible scars where the doctor has placed incisions to remove excess skin.
Who is a Good Candidate for Abdominal Liposuction?
We look for patients who have good skin elasticity to resorb loose skin in the lower abdomen. To determine whether you’re an ideal candidate to get rid of your abdominal fat using liposuction, ask yourself a few questions:
- Do I have fat deposits on my abdomen that do not respond to dieting or exercise?
- Would I like to remove up to 5 lbs. of stomach fat quickly and safely?
- Am I in good health?
- Am I at, or close to, my ideal weight?
- Do I have enough skin elasticity to help with recovery?
- Do I have realistic expectations, and understand that while liposuction can help me look trim and contoured, it’s not a method of weight loss?
If you responded yes to all these questions, you may be a good candidate for the surgery. Scheduling a consultation with one of our physicians can help confirm whether you would benefit from liposuction to the abs.
Who Should Perform Abdominal Liposuction in Houston?
Dr. Payne and our team are members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Society of Liposuction Surgery. Our surgeons have performed many liposuction procedures and are recognized as some of the best in Texas. They’re also board-certified plastic surgeons in Central Texas with additional experience in aesthetic fellowship training. All in all, our team specializes in aesthetic surgery of the breasts and body. Our doctors will be able to answer all of your questions concerning this procedure, and will personally handle your case from your preliminary consultation to the post-op.
Preparing for Abdominal Liposuction
Patients preparing for their liposuction procedure should generally:
- Get your medications filled and bring them with you to your procedure
- Arrange for a driver to bring you to and from your surgery
- Be sure to have someone who can spend the first night or two after surgery with you at your home
- Follow instructions for eating and drinking before your procedure
- Wear loose clothing to the procedure with an open, button-up top to make changing more effortless and comfortable
- Make sure you’ve stopped any medications or vitamins as ordered since some can increase bleeding risk
How is the Abdominal Liposuction Procedure Performed?
When you come in for surgery, be sure you have organized a ride to take you home after your procedure. You will meet with your surgeon to review pre-op tests, discuss the procedure, and answer any last-minute questions you may have. Your cosmetic surgeon might mark the areas in which he will perform liposuction on your body. You will receive a mild sedative to help facilitate a more pleasant experience. Tumescent liposuction does not require general anesthesia, which allows you to talk to your surgeon during the whole procedure.
We highly recommend that you discuss a fat transfer procedure in conjunction with your fat removal surgery. Trendy cosmetic procedures include a BBL, Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation, and gluteus augmentation.
Tumescent Liposuction to the Abs
Your plastic surgeon will start with small incisions. They inject a combination of lidocaine, sodium bicarbonate, and epinephrine mixed with a saline solution to numb the area. The doctor will then use a cannula to access fat deposits. Fat transfers to other areas of your body are currently very popular. You may combine your stomach liposuction with a Brazilian Butt Lift, if desired. Our liposuction surgeons offer revolutionary ways to combat fat while sculpting and contouring your body. If you do not plan to undergo fat transfer, the cannula is equipped with a laser fiber that will liquefy the fat cells. They will be sucked out, and the body will expel the remaining dead tissue over time.
Your surgeon can also utilize the SmartLipo Triplex laser during surgery so we can achieve superior skin tightening. The body will create new collagen, and the skin will tighten a few weeks after the surgery. As part of the surgery, the doctor will perform body contouring. These liposuction techniques are different for men and women. Men may go for six-pack abdominal muscles, and women prefer rounder and fitting curves. Sculpting is an art whether you are Michelangelo or a cosmetic liposuction surgeon.
You can feel confident you’re in good hands because our plastic surgeons are highly experienced in tummy liposuction and can give you precisely what you want. After your surgery, you will receive a follow-up appointment and contact info. Make sure you have a ride home. A few days later, you will have a post-op check-up to monitor your progress.
What Results Can I Expect From Abdominal Liposuction?
Abdominal liposuction can be fantastic for getting rid of stubborn fat deposits in the stomach area. Will you see six-pack abs after the procedure? The answer is maybe. Some patients do see these abs pop out once the layer of fat covering them is gone, but not always. What you can count on, though, is a tighter, flatter stomach, improved muscle definition, and an overall slimmer look in the treated areas.
What is Recovery From Abdominal Liposuction Like?
Recovery time for abdominal liposuction can be anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks. The first 36 to 72 hours after treatment is the most uncomfortable part of recovery. Patients often experience a combination of numbness and soreness as the anesthetic wears off. Avoid activities that involve twisting and turning in the first three days after surgery to minimize soreness. During this time, patients may take medication prescribed or recommended by our surgeons to help them manage discomfort. All patients should observe the following guidelines for recovery after an abdomen/tummy liposuction procedure:
- Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy, well-rounded diet is one of the most important ways to heal your body, produce new collagen, and prevent fat from returning near the operation. Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in either a raw or steamed form to allow your body to digest the food and absorb vital nutrients easily. Avoid fast food and other processed foods.
- Drink plenty of water. Water hydrates the skin and will help tighten up skin tissues after liposuction. Adequate hydration will help with the expulsion of dead cells in your urine.
- Get enough rest. Patients who have abdomen/tummy liposuction surgery will be able to return to a light exercise workout within 4-6 days after the procedure with their doctor’s permission. It is important to avoid strenuous activity to allow new blood vessels to form.
- Wear the compression garment. These are required for all patients to reduce swelling and support the body during the healing process. Compression garments must be worn at all times (except while showering) for 4-12 weeks after surgery.
- Follow the medication instructions. Your doctor may prescribe medication for patients after abdomen/tummy liposuction. It’s imperative that patients carefully follow the doctor’s instructions.
- Change absorption pads and take care of incision sites. Leaks from incision sites are possible after abdomen/tummy liposuction. The use of high-quality absorption pads can reduce discomfort caused by drainage. Gently clean the incision sites 1-2 times daily with soap and water. It will minimize the chances of infection and help the incisions heal more quickly.
- Avoid applying ice packs or heating pads to the liposuction-treated areas. Band-aids, hydrogen peroxide, and soaking in any kind of water (including baths) should also be avoided during the healing process.
What are the Risks Associated with Abdominal Liposuction?
Like all operative procedures, there is a risk of infection. But at our facility, we have a very low infection rate well below 1 percent. Contour irregularities can occur during the procedure. A signed consent form is required stating the patient is aware of the benefits and associated risks of the process. In extremely rare cases, blood clots and fat embolism have been reported as risk factors that patients should be aware of. Liposuction of the abdomen is one of our most requested procedure, and we feel confident that we can minimize all risks as your safety and satisfaction is our primary concern
How Much Does Abdominal Liposuction Cost?
Of course, you’re also probably wondering how much you can expect to pay for abdominal liposuction. A comprehensive breakdown of liposuction costs in Houston can be viewed in the preceding link, but pricing for fat removal in the abs generally ranges from $3,500 to $5,000. We believe in clear, straightforward, and transparent pricing. At our practice, the price you’re quoted for abdominal liposuction is all-inclusive with no hidden fees. It covers:
- Pre-op labs
- Facility Fee
- All operative anesthesia and medicine fees while at our clinic for your procedure
- The Procedure Itself
- Your Compression Garment
- All follow-up visits
*EXAMPLE: If you’re a woman of average size (5’2″ and 135 lbs.) you can expect the cost of abdominal liposuction to be around $4,000 – $4,500.Of course, the price could fluctuate 10 – 15% up or down depending on your size and the amount of fat you want to be removed.
Can I Get Financing for Abdominal Liposuction?
At Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic, we understand the challenges that can sometimes come with paying for your abdominal liposuction. However, we also know that reshaping your body is about more than your abdomen — it’s about your confidence, the way you feel every time you look in the mirror, and about how you feel when you’re out in the world. That’s why we’ve partnered with several reputable plastic surgery financing companies who can help you understand your options. You can set up a monthly payment plan that can make getting your liposuction procedure both easy and affordable.
Complements to Abdominal Liposuction
Abdominal Liposuction with Brazilian Butt Lift
If you’re looking to put the fat cells that were removed with liposuction to good use, you might consider adding a Brazilian Butt Lift to your procedure to achieve an even curvier silhouette. A Brazilian Butt Lift is a procedure in which fat cells harvested during liposuction are purified, the healthiest ones chosen, and then injected into your buttocks to lift, firm, and augment.
Abdominal Liposuction Plus Skin Tightening with J-Plasma
Many patients also choose to undergo abdominal liposuction with skin tightening using J-Plasma. J-Plasma uses innovative radiofrequency (RF) waveform technology in combination with helium gas to tighten your abdomen’s skin and prevent sagging. It can give you a tighter, sculpted, and more youthful look at the same time as resculpting your body via liposuction. Another excellent skin tightening option involves combining liposuction to the abs with Miracle Skin Tightening™, which also uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate collagen production and minimize skin laxity.
Abdominal Liposuction as Part of a Mommy Makeover
Since the abdomen is one of the regions that experience the most significant changes after pregnancy, liposuction to the abs is frequently performed as part of a larger Mommy Makeover. A Mommy Makeover plan, which includes multiple custom procedures, usually combines treatment options like liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, breast augmentation, and/or breast lift surgery with the goal of regaining your pre-baby figure. Treatment is completely personalized to make your unique goals and aesthetic desires a reality.
Abdominal Liposuction with Tummy Tuck
One of the most common treatment plans at our practice involves combining a tummy tuck with abdominal liposuction, typically offering the greatest extent of improvement in the midsection. The procedure can be particularly beneficial for patients who have excess skin and fat in the belly that they’d like to address. By combining these surgeries, patients can completely reshape their abdomen and achieve a sleeker, smoother, and more defined abdominal profile. Your surgeon can also speak with you about Lipo 360, which can provide even more improvement in the belly by resculpting the abdomen in a 360-degree fashion.
Slim, Sleek, and Toned
Liposuction can be a perfect choice if you want to contour and shape your abdomen, ensuring a slimmer and more toned core. If you’re ready to transform your abdomen, don’t forget to schedule your complimentary consultation today by calling (713) 401-9090.