Liposuction
Houston plastic surgeon Christopher K. Livingston at Livingston Plastic Surgery is a popular liposuction doctor throughout Texas. Dr. Livingston has impressive credentials and years of experience in his field.
For some patients, localized fat deposits can be difficult, if not impossible, to improve regardless of their physical activity level and eating habits. Therefore, to assist patients in permanently removing stubborn fat and sculpting their figures, Houston liposuction specialist, Dr. Christopher Livingston, offers traditional and ultrasonic fat removal.
If you have localized fat deposits that are resistant to a healthy diet and regular physical activity, lipoplasty is an efficiently want to minimize body bulges that are resistant to exercise.
“The most important part of plastic surgery is achieving a youthful, refreshed look, with minimal downtime.”
Chris Livingston, MD
Treatment is designed to remove stubborn fat from various problem areas all over the body, creating smooth curves and a better-defined physique. Liposuction is not intended to alleviate obesity or achieve significant weight loss. The goal is to improve upon patients’ natural body contours and is ideal for those within 30 percent of their healthy weight range and with a BMI less than 32. Patients should also have firm, elastic skin to easily adjust to your body’s new contour. If you have loose or stretched skin caused by aging, weight loss, or pregnancy, additional treatment may be necessary to create ideal results.
If you are good physical condition and follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen, you can achieve your cosmetic goals with fat removal surgery.
To further reduce risks associated with surgery and promote satisfactory results, patients should meet the additional qualifications:
During your consultation with our liposuction surgeon, the two of you will discuss the following:
Dr. Livingston is a great surgeon. He is very knowledgeable and answers all questions thoroughly. I had two surgeries with him and I am very pleased with the results. I would definitely recommend him to friends and family.
– Androula (Google Reviews)
Fat removal creates smooth skin through a variety of techniques, providing provide patients with improved curves on areas of the body and face such as the:
By thoroughly evaluating your body and concerns, Dr. Livingston will be able to determine which method to utilize and the exact areas that need contouring to aid you in your journey toward a new figure.
We administer an intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, and Dr. Livingston performs tumescent liposuction by creating small, subtle incisions on the targeted areas of the body. Through these small incisions, a sterile solution of saline infused with an anesthetic and vasoconstricting medication will be infiltrated into the affected areas to minimize bleeding and reduce swelling and bruising after surgery.
Next, Dr. Livingston will insert a small hollow tube cannula through the access incisions that gently removes the loosened fat by suction, leaving the body with its new outline and slimmer shape.
Next, you will be cleaned up and we apply recovery garments to the treated areas. You will feel a bit drowsy, but the numbing agent should last the first day. We will prescribe pain medication for any discomfort experienced after the anesthesia wears off. When we are sure your recovery is going well, you will be allowed to go home with a family member, friend, or healthcare professional.
UAL uses high-pitched sound waves to liquefy fat cells in a certain area before the fat removal. UAL is a great option for fat removal in hard-to-treat areas like the ankles, calves, knees, cheeks, neck, and chin. It can serve as an addition to tumescent fat removal for those who require more precise body shaping.
UAL fat removal begins with sound waves produced by a generator. A thin cannula will transmit ultrasonic waves which will contact fat cells and quickly liquefies them to be removed by vacuum power.
There are multiple benefits to be gained with UAL fat removal, including the ability to remove larger volumes of fat and to treat denser fat deposit areas. Ultrasonic liposuction is a great option to use with a body lift or tummy tuck surgery, which eliminates sagging skin as well.
There are certain criteria you should consider before choosing a plastic surgeon. These include:
Christopher K. Livingston, M.D., F.A.C.S., P.A. provides optimal results at Livingston Plastic Surgery and draws patients from The Woodlands, Sugar Land, and Pearland area seeking his expertise. Dr. Livingston has years of experience in his field. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), as well as a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Also, our doctor is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center – the Division of Plastic Surgery and Department of Otolaryngology, as well as a plastic surgery consultant for cosmetic procedures on WebMD.com.
After treatment, you may experience tenderness, bruising, and swelling in the treatment areas. These effects will resolve with time. Oral pain blockers we prescribe before surgery will control any after-surgery pain. Dr. Livingston will make available comprehensive post-surgery instructions for you to follow.
You should rest for a few days after your procedure. Light walking is encouraged to ensure good blood circulation, but there should be no strenuous movements, bending, or lifting. Dr. Livingston will meet with you after surgery to monitor the healing process and clear your ability to return to work when applicable.
It’s important that your incisions avoid excessive force or abrasion during your recovery. Dr. Livingston will provide specific instructions on incision care. You should not rush to return to your daily activities. Recovery is unique to every patient, and it is important to listen to your body before returning to your normal lifestyle.
Your new shape can be permanent and long-lasting if the patient maintains a healthy lifestyle and eating habits. You can view before and after photos and watch some of Dr. Livingston’s videos in the media gallery to learn more about his practice and the procedures that he offers.
Depending on the extent of treatment, your procedure lasts from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours.
For a single liposuction procedure, three to four areas can be done concurrently. Treatments are rarely completed in multiple sessions, but if necessary, they can be done within 48 hours apart.
Although combining multiple surgical procedures is not always recommended in many cases, fat removal is used in concert with other procedures like tummy tuck, mommy makeover, and butt lift to provide optimal results.
During the consultation, Dr. Livingston will thoroughly assess your body contour, answer all of your questions and discuss what results might realistically be expected. A surgical plan will be designed and discussed, and schedule your surgery will be scheduled.
Once a decision is made to move forward, we schedule a pre-op appointment with you approximately ten days before the procedure. The visit will include instructions, medical evaluations, and allow you to ask additional questions.
Dr. Livingston will remove sufficient fat volume for a natural and proportionate result. The amount will depend on your unique anatomy and situation. The goal is to remove just the right amount to achieve the right results, not to remove as much fat as possible.
Optimal results are realized from six months to a year, but you should see improvements after one month. Usually, after three weeks most of the swelling has subsided, and body appearance is better than before the surgery. Expectations will be discussed before surgery.
Dr. Livingston recommends each patient walk lightly the day after surgery to promote healing. Regular exercise routines can resume after a week or two although mild exercise can be implemented before that.
When treatment is provided skilfully, the resulting body shape is a permanent improvement. If weight is gained after the procedure, the contour will remain the same, just less visible.
If the physical criteria are met for surgery, treatment can technically be performed on suitable candidates between the ages of 15 – 78 years old. Skin elasticity is the main factor when considering fat removal. As we age, skin becomes lax. If Dr. Livingston feels the skin’s elasticity is not strong enough to conform to re-shaped contours, he may recommend another procedure to help you reach your aesthetic goals.
The best approach is to get it right the first time. Nationally, there is a 25% revision rate, and in rare cases, there is the need for an additional procedure to attain optimal results.
No. The skin retracts and re-drapes to conform to the new shape of underlying tissue. This question is where skin elasticity comes in. For this reason, Dr. Livingston will determine your skin elasticity.
It is designed solely as a contouring procedure for areas where genetic fat deposits have proven to be resistant to a fitness regimen. Optimal outcomes are realized when liposuction occurs in areas where fat is not excessive, the skin is elastic, and there is reasonable muscle tone. In cases where there is a significant loss of elasticity, proper aesthetic results may require a combination of surgical skin tightening to remove excess skin as well as fat removal.