Liposuction

Westlake Dermatology's West University Houston plastic surgeons perform tumescent liposuction and SmartLipo (laser-assisted lipolysis) to remove stubborn, diet-resistant fat deposits from the abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, arms, submental area, and back. Tumescent technique infuses dilute lidocaine and epinephrine into the fat compartment before aspiration, minimising blood loss and improving precision. SmartLipo adds a laser fibre to liquefy fat cells and coagulate small vessels before aspiration, and may provide mild skin tightening through thermal stimulation of the reticular dermis. Frequently combined with abdominoplasty for comprehensive torso contouring.

Liposuction at Westlake Dermatology West University Houston uses the tumescent technique as the foundation for all procedures, providing the twin advantages of markedly reduced intraoperative blood loss and improved post-operative comfort through the local anaesthetic component of the tumescent infiltrate. Tumescent fluid — a large-volume solution of dilute lidocaine (typically 0.05–0.1%) and epinephrine (1:1,000,000) in normal saline — is infiltrated into the target fat compartment before cannula aspiration, causing vasoconstriction of local blood vessels (via epinephrine) and local anaesthesia of the treatment zone (via lidocaine). The infiltrated fat compartment firms and becomes firm and pale, facilitating precise, layer-specific cannula work. Small-diameter cannulas — typically 3–4 mm for body areas and 2–3 mm for more delicate zones such as the submental region and inner arms — are introduced through access incisions of 3–5 mm placed in natural folds or inconspicuous anatomical locations. Multiple passes at varying depths and in multiple directions across the treatment zone achieve smooth, uniform fat reduction. SmartLipo, the laser-assisted liposuction variant offered at the clinic, introduces an additional step before cannula aspiration: a small laser fibre is passed through the access incision into the target fat, and laser energy (typically 1064 nm Nd:YAG or 1320 nm) is delivered to liquefy fat cells through thermal disruption of the lipocyte membranes and to coagulate small vessels encountered during the procedure, further reducing bleeding. The thermal energy delivered to the reticular dermis by the laser fibre may also stimulate collagen contraction and neocollagenesis in the overlying skin, providing modest additional skin tightening in the treatment zone — a potentially useful secondary effect in patients with mild-to-moderate skin laxity who are not candidates for or do not want surgical skin excision. Anatomical treatment zones at Westlake Dermatology's Houston clinic include the periumbilical and lower abdomen, the flanks (love handles), the posterior and lateral hip, the inner and outer thighs, the knee, the upper arm and axillary roll, the chest (for gynaecomastia in male patients), the back and bra-line area, and the submental (under-chin) area. Liposuction is most commonly combined with tummy tuck at the clinic for comprehensive abdominal and torso contouring, but is also performed as a standalone procedure for patients with good skin elasticity and localised fat resistant to diet and exercise.