Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes deposits of fatty tissue from various parts of the body. ⁽¹⁾ If you have ever tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, you may be familiar with how stubborn fat can be. At Downsize Liposuction Center of Houston, we offer several different liposuction procedures to help each patient address their concerns, leaving them with more defined curves and a sculpted silhouette.

Dr. Mark Hennessy is one of Houston’s most highly regarded Cosmetic Surgeons, specializing in liposuction procedures. He has over 30 years of experience and has helped thousands of patients enhance their natural beauty.

If you are interested in scheduling a personal consultation with Dr. Hennessy, please contact us online. To speak to a member of our team or schedule an appointment over the phone, please call (832) 278-1147.

Before and After Photos

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About Liposuction

Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that removes stubborn fat deposits from around the body. Liposuction is one of the most performed cosmetic procedures worldwide and was the most performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the country for the past 3 years, with over 347,000 procedures performed in 2023 alone. ⁽²⁾ Dr. Hennessy offers a wide range of liposuction procedures to help each patient effectively target fat and achieve each of their aesthetic goals.

Awake Liposuction

Dr. Hennessy performs awake liposuction, eliminating the need for general anesthesia or sedation. General anesthesia can cause unpleasant symptoms in patients, such as vomiting, dizziness, nausea, and more. Dr. Hennessy performs tumescent liposuction using only a local anesthetic (lidocaine) to make for a comfortable procedure and minimize postoperative discomfort. This technique is also known to shorten the patient’s overall recovery.

Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction is the gold standard for liposuction. This procedure utilizes a tumescent solution consisting of epinephrine, saline, and a local anesthetic (lidocaine), designed to minimize bleeding, numb the treatment area, and swell the fat cells. Each of Dr. Hennessy’s liposuction treatments involves tumescent fluid. Tumescent fluid makes fat easier to remove and makes the initial phase of recovery more comfortable.

Liposuction Areas

Lipo 360

Lipo 360, also known as 360 liposuction or circumferential liposuction, is a popular liposuction technique that is designed to remove excess body fat from the midsection. Unlike other types of liposuction procedures that only treat one specific area of the body, Lipo 360 can address the abdomen, waist, back, buttocks, and hips at once. Lipo 360 aims to comprehensively address the midsection, leaving the patient with a slimmer and more balanced figure.

Buffalo Hump (Dorsocervical Fat Pad) Liposuction

The dorsocervical fat pad or “buffalo hump” refers to the area below the neck and between the shoulders. This area can develop a visible bulge of fatty tissue due to various factors, such as poor posture, Cushing’s Syndrome, obesity, and more. ⁽³⁾ Dr. Hennessy will assess each patient’s candidacy for this variation of liposuction to ensure each patient’s buffalo hump could be effectively treated with liposuction.

Plus-Size Liposuction

Plus-size liposuction is a procedure that is offered to patients who are interested in liposuction, but may not qualify at other practices due to their Body Mass Index (BMI). Traditionally, patients are required to have a BMI under 30 when receiving this procedure; however, surgeons with extensive experience, such as Dr. Hennessy, can perform liposuction on those with a BMI above 40.

Mons Pubis/Labia Majora Liposuction

Mons pubis and/or labia majora liposuction can effectively reduce the presence of bulging fat pockets in these intimate areas. The mons pubis refers to the area above the pubic bone, while the labia majora refers to the outer vaginal lips. Dr. Hennessy can carefully address these areas with liposuction to reduce puffiness or fullness that can cause bulges beneath close-fitting clothing.

Arm Liposuction

Arm liposuction can be performed to address and eliminate stubborn fat from the upper arms. This procedure results in a more sculpted and defined appearance in the arms.

Double Chin Liposuction

Double chin liposuction is a procedure designed to remove stubborn fat from beneath the chin. The accumulated fat in this area is also known as submental fat and can develop due to factors such as genetics, hormonal fluctuations, weight fluctuations, and aging. Liposuction can enhance the sharpness and definition of the chin, as well as create a more slender and elegant neck.

Male Chest Liposuction (Gynecomastia Liposuction)

Dr. Hennessy can perform liposuction on male breasts to correct a condition called gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is a condition that is characterized by breast enlargement in men, which can lead to distress, embarrassment, and a diminished sense of confidence. This common condition typically develops during puberty or late adulthood. ⁽⁴⁾ Liposuction can be used to correct this condition, restoring the patient’s confidence and creating a more masculine look.

Inner Thigh Liposuction

When patients have stubborn fat in the thigh area, they might experience uncomfortable chafing caused by friction. Inner thigh liposuction can contour the legs and potentially alleviate irritation caused by chafing. Dr. Hennessy can perform inner thigh liposuction as a standalone procedure or combine it with outer thigh liposuction for more comprehensive results.

Outer Thigh Liposuction

The outer thighs are known to be a common area where stubborn fat deposits are present. Outer thigh fat, also known as saddlebag fat, can create an unflattering and bulky appearance in the legs. Outer thigh liposuction can be performed on its own or combined with inner thigh liposuction to create a more slender silhouette in the thighs.

Upper Back Liposuction

Stubborn fat can collect around the upper back, near the armpits, and above the bra line. This can create a bulging appearance, especially when wearing bras or certain tops. Upper back liposuction can be performed to smooth out each patient’s upper back contours, creating a more sculpted silhouette.

Middle Back Liposuction

Middle back liposuction can address fat deposits that have accumulated in the center of the patient’s back, more casually known as back rolls. This area is especially hard for many patients to eliminate fat from dieting and exercise. Liposuction offers an effective solution for addressing fat in this stubborn area.

Lower Back Liposuction

Dr. Hennessy can perform lower back liposuction to address fat above the buttocks, near the bottom of the spine. Liposuction can be performed to address these concerns and create a more defined lower back.

Flank Liposuction

Flank liposuction eliminates unwanted fat near the flanks. This area extends down from the rib cage to the waist and hips, and is also known as ‘love handles.’

Liposuction Candidates & Consultation

All individuals interested in liposuction should be in good overall health and free from any underlying medical conditions that may impair healing. Suitable candidates for liposuction include those with stubborn deposits of fat that do not seem to be responding to healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and dieting. Candidates are preferably nonsmokers, or are willing to quit using nicotine in preparation for their procedure, and remain nicotine- and tobacco-free until fully recovered.

During a patient’s consultation, Dr. Hennessy will ask a series of questions regarding each patient’s medical history, current medications, concerns, and ideal results. He will also evaluate the desired treatment area. Using this information, he will determine each patient’s candidacy for liposuction and explain the procedure.

To schedule your personal consultation at our office in Houston, please contact us online or call (832) 278-1147.

Preparation

Dr. Hennessy will provide personalized preparation instructions for each patient. Generally speaking, patients will need to temporarily avoid using certain medications and herbal supplements with blood-thinning properties. Smoking, if applicable, should also be ceased far in advance, as nicotine can inhibit healing. Patients should schedule time away from work and arrange transportation home after the procedure.

More detailed instructions will be given to each patient before their appointment. Following each of these instructions will help prepare each patient for a successful procedure.

How Much Does Liposuction Cost in Houston?

The cost of each patient’s liposuction treatment can vary depending on the targeted area and the extent of the fat removal. Dr. Hennessy will discuss the cost of each patient’s procedure with them during their consultation, once he has established a treatment plan. We are currently offering a 50% discount promotion for their first-time patients; for more pricing information, visit Pricing. Patients are also encouraged to regularly check our Specials for new and exciting discounts and special packages.

To learn more about the cost of your liposuction procedure, please contact us online or call (832) 278-1147.

FAQ

References

1. Wu S, Coombs DM, Gurunian R. Liposuction: Concepts, safety, and techniques in body-contouring surgery. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2020;87(6):367-375. doi:https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.87a.19097
2. ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
3. Chen S, Gui X, Cao Q, Routy JP. Clinical outcome after lipectomy in the management of patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated dorsocervical fat accumulation. Medicine. 2019;98(25):e16112. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000016112
4. Swerdloff RS, Chiu Ming Ng. Gynecomastia: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Nih.gov. Published July 7, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279105/