If diet and exercise alone aren’t giving you the results you want, surgical fat removal may be the solution to your body sculpting goals. Liposuction is a procedure that uses suction techniques to remove fatty deposits from various areas of the body to smooth away bulges and give you a leaner look. Houston Liposuction Specialist Dr. Scott Reis treats patients with a commitment to personalized care and excellent aesthetic results.
Dr. Reis offers the latest liposuction techniques, as well as innovative methods to minimize scarring and reduce post-surgical discomfort. He combines his surgical skill and years of experience with true compassion and caring for each patient he sees.
Liposuction can remove excess fat from almost any area of your body, including your hips and buttocks, abdomen and waist, thighs and upper arms, back, chest, chin, neck, and even knees or ankles.1 While liposuction is not considered a weight-loss method, it can shape and contour your body to create a slimmer, more proportional appearance. Liposuction can be performed alone or along with other body contouring procedures offered by Dr. Reis, such as cosmetic breast surgery, tummy tuck, arm lift or even thigh lift.
Liposuction can improve the way you look and feel — it can help your clothes fit better and allow you to be more comfortable with your body. You may be a candidate for liposuction if you have a stable, healthy body weight but are bothered by extra body fat or bulges in specific trouble areas. We all inherit the genetic hand we’re dealt, but fortunately, even if diet and exercise can’t beat your trouble areas, a quick and easy liposuction procedure may be the perfect procedure for you.
Although liposuction can’t improve cellulite dimpling, it reduces the number of fat cells in the area that is being treated and after liposuction, your skin will remodel itself to the new contours of the
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Liposuction
American Society of Plastic Surgery
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treated areas of your body
. Liposuction may be right for you if you are near your ideal weight, have firm skin and good muscle tone, don’t have a serious medical condition that can interfere with healing, and you
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Mayo Clinic
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don’t smoke or use nicotine products
. All plastic surgery patients must be nicotine free for at least eight weeks prior to surgery.
Dr. Reis offers standard liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, as well as laser assisted liposuction (more commonly known as SmartLipo). With all procedures, a liposuction machine and special tubular instruments called cannulas are used. You will receive intravenous anesthesia, and then a fluid to prepare the fat is injected under your skin in the areas being treated.
During standard liposuction, also called tumescent liposuction, Dr. Reis creates small skin punctures through which he inserts the cannulas and suctions away the fat. In order to protect the skin at the entry sites and avoid poor scarring which is very common with liposuction, Dr Reis uses a specialized protection protocol to shield the skin incision edges to ensure they heal as inconspicuously as possible. You will also have a compression garment to wear after surgery to help minimize the swelling and get you the final result as quickly as possible.
With power-assisted liposuction, or PAL, Dr. Reis uses a cannula attached to a mechanical handpiece that moves in a quick back-and-forth motion. The vibration makes it easier and faster for him to pull out stubborn fat and is especially helpful in revision or secondary liposuction procedures. PAL may cause less swelling and may allow more precision as well as less operative time since it is more efficient.
Laser-assisted SmartLipo is another option which can help to further stimulate contracture of the skin to optimize the tightening effect of liposuction. Before suctioning away the fat cells, a laser tipped cannula is used to heat and liquefy the fat to be removed. This is particularly useful in revision or secondary liposuction cases or in patients with very thick or dense tissue. Dr. Reis will discuss which technique is most appropriate for you during your consultation appointment.
Dr. Scott Reis has extensive experience in all aspects of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including liposuction. You’ll begin with a consultation in which Dr. Reis will explain the entire process of liposuction so you’ll understand how it’s done and what to expect.
Dr. Reis focuses not only on excellent results but also on minimizing scars at the places where he inserts the liposuction cannulas. Some surgeons use lubricating gel, but that is known to rub off with the motion of the cannula and cause friction burns, which can lead to obvious and
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Liposuction cannula port site protection: An innovative strategy
Hui C, Chui C
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unsightly scars
. However, Dr. Reis uses small devices to better protect your skin around the incision sites and prevent exaggerated scarring. This technique along with optimal postoperative incision care will lead to a fine line well-concealed scar.
Liposuction is an outpatient procedure. You can expect some bruising and swelling in the areas that were treated. In order to make your recovery as comfortable as possible, Dr. Reis offers a non-opioid anesthetic called Exparel that is injected during the procedure into the areas where liposuction was performed and works for 72 hours to provide remarkable pain control. For body contouring procedure like liposuction, Dr. Reis requires a post-operative series of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massages for all body contouring procedures. MLD helps speed recovery and optimize results.
You may need to wait a few days before going back to work, depending on the extent of your liposuction treatment. You may be able to resume your regular activities such as light exercise in a few weeks. Dr. Reis will advise you of the recovery guidelines for your personalized treatment plan depending on the type of work you perform and your specific exercise regimen.
Anytime you have a medical procedure, it is important to understand the potential risks as well as the benefits. Your individual outcome will depend on a number of factors, such as your medical history and your personalized treatment plan. Dr. Reis will review possible side effects or other risks at your consultation appointment. Keep in mind that your risk of complications can be reduced by choosing an experienced and qualified surgeon. Dr. Reis is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is a testament to his specialized training and high skill level.
Once swelling subsides, you will be able to appreciate your newly contoured figure. As your body ages it’s normal to lose some firmness, but most of the improvements from liposuction are quite permanent. With regular exercise and a healthy diet, you can help maintain your new, slimmer shape for many years to come.
We’re happy to answer any questions about liposuction or schedule your consultation appointment at our Houston office. Contact us today.
I just have to say from the moment I walked in I left welcomed and Dr.reis is just an amazing doctor! He listened to what I wanted and how..
I give Dr. Reis my highest recommendation. My results were excellent. He is a caring, professional and highly skilled plastic surgeon...
Dr. Reis is one of the most caring, attentive, and thorough surgeons I have ever met. He takes the time to explain your procedure...
Great visit with Dr. Reis. He and his entire team are very professional & offer expert advice. They made the whole process easy...
I am so pleased with the knowledge, care, and grace I received at my appointment with Dr. Reis! From the time I entered my appointment...
Sources
1 American Society of Plastic Surgery. Liposuction. Available at: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction. Accessed February 10, 2020.
2 Mayo Clinic. Liposuction. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liposuction/about/pac-20384586. Accessed February 10, 2020.
3 Hui C, Chui C. Liposuction cannula port site protection: An innovative strategy. JPRAS Open. 2018;16:81-83.
Dr. Scott Reis has either authored or reviewed and approved this content. Page Updated:
Dr. Reis will be leaving My Houston Surgeons and will be relocating to Austin, TX. He will be starting at Baylor Scott & White Hospitals in Round Rock and Austin in September.
Please contact the My Houston Surgeons office at 713-791-0700 to request your medical records if applicable.
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