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Slim & Refined.
Sometimes stubborn pockets of fat around our bodies can be resistant to diet and exercise—no matter how strict we might be.
Heights Plastic Surgery’s Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks offer a unique two-physician approach to building treatment plans for patients experiencing unwanted fat.
At Heights Plastic Surgery in Houston liposuction is a safe, effective, quick treatment to help patients permanently remove extra fat that’s been holding them back.
Lipoplasty
also known as: liposuction \ LIE-poe-pla-stee \
Mechanical removal by suction of fat cells and deposits of tissue to sculpt and contour various areas of the body to enhance the cosmetic appearance.
Procedure options: Liposuction 360, Renuvion, Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL), Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL), Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
Procedure Overview
Addresses
Abdomen
Upper arms
Buttocks
Calves & ankles
Hips & thighs
Chest & back
Chin & neck
Procedure Time
1-3 hours
Eligibility
Female & Male
18+
Non-Smoker
Possible Side Effects
Swelling
Temporary contour irregularities
Frequently Asked Questions
With our highly personalized approach to liposuction Houston patients can achieve a healthy, contoured look that perfectly complements each patient’s unique physique.
Liposuction is a surgical body-contouring procedure that removes excess fat through tiny incisions using a slender instrument called a cannula. After tumescent fluid is placed to reduce bleeding and improve comfort, fat cells are loosened and suctioned away. At our Houston plastic surgery practice, Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks select the technique—Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL), Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL), Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL), or circumferential Liposuction 360—based on your anatomy and goals. Procedures are performed in our private, AAAASF-accredited facility with a focus on proportion, balance, and clean lines.
Liposuction targets stubborn fat deposits that persist despite diet and exercise. Common concerns include a fuller abdomen after pregnancy or weight changes, “love handles” at the waist, thigh fullness that affects clothing fit, bra-line or back rolls, upper arm thickness, submental fat under the chin, and chest fullness in carefully selected male patients. The goal is a smoother transition between regions and a more refined contour, not a different body.
Precision matters. Typical liposuction treatment zones include:
Liposuction offers durable refinement when weight is stable and habits are consistent. With thoughtful planning, most patients see clothes drape cleaner, angles look defined, and the body reads more proportionate.
Liposuction benefits at a glance:
Good candidates for liposuction are healthy adults with localized fat, realistic expectations, and a stable weight for several months. Skin quality matters: better elasticity supports smoother re-draping. Non-smokers tend to heal more predictably. We’ll review medications, past procedures, and any history of abnormal scarring. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method or treatment for loose skin alone; in those cases, procedures like abdominoplasty may be more appropriate, which we’ll discuss candidly during consultation.
Two things drive outcomes: planning and recovery.
After marking your contours and confirming the plan, anesthesia is administered (local with sedation or general, based on extent). Tumescent solution is placed through tiny incisions to minimize bleeding and improve comfort. Using PAL, UAL, or LAL as indicated, your surgeon removes fat in measured passes to maintain even planes and symmetry. If skin quality and goals suggest it, Renuvion may be added for internal tightening. Liposuction procedures typically take 1–3 hours, followed by recovery in our private suite and discharge the same day with detailed instructions.
Liposuction results are immediately visible, though early swelling can mute definition. Over the next 2–6 weeks, contours refine as swelling subsides and tissues settle. Final results develop across 3–6 months. Removed fat cells do not return; remaining cells can still enlarge with weight change, so stable habits help protect your outcome. Tiny incisions fade with time and are placed to be easily concealed.
When recovering after liposuction Houston patients can expect soreness like a deep workout for several days, along with bruising for 1–2 weeks and swelling that improves steadily. Walking the day after surgery is encouraged. Most desk work resumes in 3–7 days; more physical roles or vigorous exercise typically wait 3–4 weeks, guided by your follow-ups. A compression garment is worn 24/7 for 2–4 weeks, then part-time as advised to reduce swelling and support contour.
Your liposuction quote reflects treatment areas, technique (PAL/UAL/LAL), anesthesia, facility time, compression, and follow-up care. As noted on the page, many cases fall between $5,000–$12,000, with a precise estimate provided after exam and planning. Combination procedures (e.g., Liposuction 360, abdominoplasty, or Renuvion) are itemized transparently. Ask about our Financing Options and current Referral Program if you’re building a broader plan.
What to Expect
Before, During, and After Your Liposuction in Houston
1. Attend a One-on-One Consultation.
Prior to your liposuction Houston patients will first meet with a physician for a one-on-one consultation. We take the time to get to know you—your medical history, long-term health and aesthetic goals, and more.
2. Review Your Treatment Plan.
Houston Liposuction experts, Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks, collaborate on every patient case to best advise you on the best liposuction option: ultrasound-assisted liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, or liposuction using Renuvion technology. We build a highly personalized treatment plan that may also include non-surgical procedures (such as Emsculpt NEO) to achieve the best possible results.
3. Make Your Decision.
At Heights Plastic Surgery, our mission is to give you all of the information you need to decide what will work best for your desires, timeline, and budget. After we make recommendations, we give you the space and time to make your own decision.
4. Schedule Your Liposuction.
We will schedule your liposuction—an outpatient procedure performed in our private, on-site surgery center—for a day and time that works best for you. You'll want to factor in about 1 to 2 weeks of downtime from everyday activities and work after your procedure.
5. Arrive for Surgery.
We will provide you with all the ways you can best prepare for the procedure well in advance of your liposuction in Houston. When you arrive, we will escort you to our state-of-the-art surgical suite, and review our process in detail once more.
6. Getting Your Liposuction.
Your highly skilled surgeon will be in the operating room from start to finish, executing every detail of your agreed-upon liposuction plan for removing your unwanted fat. Make sure you have a plan for getting home after your procedure, as you will not be able to drive yourself.
7. Follow Up.
When you book your liposuction in Houston at Heights Plastic Surgery, we will also book you for follow-up visits to meet with your surgeon to monitor the area. This important step ensures you are healing properly, safely, and efficiently.
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Use our interactive virtual consultation tool to explore the plastic surgery procedures that might best fit your unique concerns.
Heights Plastic Surgery, led by board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks, is proud to offer state-of-the-art surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures to residents of Houston and beyond. Our ultimate goal is to offer you a welcoming environment, a phenomenal patient experience, and cutting-edge technology that you won’t find anywhere else in Texas.
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Contouring. Liposuction removes localized fat to refine shape; it isn’t a weight-loss procedure. At Heights Plastic Surgery in Houston, we plan around stable weight to create cleaner lines and better proportion.
Most patients return to desk work in 3–7 days. Light walking starts day one. Gradual exercise resumes at 3–4 weeks, with full intensity after your surgeon clears you.
Lipo 360 treats the entire midsection. PAL uses a vibrating cannula for efficient fat removal. UAL uses ultrasound to loosen fat; LAL uses laser energy. Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks choose based on your anatomy, skin quality, and goals.
Maybe. If laxity is significant, a tummy tuck or skin-tightening adjunct (e.g., Renuvion) may be recommended. We’ll assess elasticity and suggest the most effective route.
You’ll notice change right away, with swelling for several weeks. Results refine over 3–6 months. Fat cells removed don’t return; stable weight and healthy habits protect your outcome.
Yes to compression—typically 24/7 for 2–4 weeks, then part-time as advised. Lymphatic massage can help with swelling and contour in select cases. Your surgeon will personalize the plan.
We use local with sedation or general anesthesia depending on areas treated and duration. All procedures occur in our accredited facility with continuous monitoring and board-certified surgeons.
