Liposuction
in Houston, TX
in Houston, TX
Liposuction can help you eliminate stubborn fat deposits that just won't go away, no matter how hard you try with diet and exercise. If you're in Houston, you can opt for this procedure to get a more toned and shaped body in areas like your tummy, thighs, buttocks, arms, and neck. Through Dr. Paul Fortes, this procedure is especially helpful if you're already at a healthy weight but are looking to get rid of specific areas of excess fat that seem resistant to traditional weight loss methods. Dr. Fortes can help you achieve your body goals and deliver some of the best results in liposuction Houston has to offer.
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Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat deposits from specific body areas.
It is a popular procedure if you have tried diet and exercise but are unable to eliminate stubborn fat deposits in certain areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, or neck. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure but a body contouring procedure designed to improve the shape and definition of specific areas.
Liposuction isn’t about losing weight—it’s about fine-tuning your shape. If you’ve worked hard with diet and exercise but still have those stubborn pockets of fat around your belly, thighs, arms, or neck, liposuction can help you feel more confident in those areas.
If you’ve stuck to a healthy routine but your body just needs a little help dialing in the definition, liposuction can be that finishing touch.
Liposuction isn’t about changing your whole body.What's great about liposuction is that it targets specific areas where traditional weight loss methods don't work. For many patients, it’s a simple and effective way to feel more confident in their skin.
Benefits of liposuction include:
Liposuction suits individuals within 20-30 pounds of their ideal weight. If you’ve already tried diet and exercise and just aren’t seeing changes in areas like the abdomen, hips, thighs, or arms, liposuction could be a good fit.
It’s also important to have good skin tone so that your skin can naturally adjust to your new shape. If your skin has lost elasticity or if there’s a lot of loose skin in the area, Dr. Fortes may recommend a different approach or combination treatment.
Liposuction is not ideal for everyone. You may not be a good candidate if:
During your consultation, Dr. Fortes will look at your overall health, your skin quality, and your goals to make sure liposuction is the right fit. If there’s a better approach for your body or your lifestyle, he’ll walk you through your options and answer any questions.
The first step towards achieving your body contouring goals is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fortes. During the consultation, Dr. Fortes will carefully evaluate your individual needs, discuss your desired outcomes, and explain the Houston liposuction procedure in detail. He will also assess your overall health and medical history to ensure liposuction is a suitable option for you.
Liposuction Methods and Non‑Surgical Options
Different techniques can be used to help achieve the results you’re looking for. During your consultation, Dr. Fortes will help determine which approach fits best with your body type, lifestyle, and goals.
Here’s a side-by-side look at how traditional liposuction compares to CoolSculpting®, the most popular non-surgical alternative offered at our practice:
| Feature | Liposuction | CoolSculpting® |
|---|---|---|
| Invasiveness | Surgical (incisions + anesthesia) | Non-surgical (no incisions) |
| Downtime | 5–7 days (light activity), 2–4 weeks (full) | Minimal to none |
| Fat Removal | Immediate and significant | Gradual reduction over 1–3 months |
| Precision | High—can sculpt and target specific contours | Moderate—good for small, localized fat |
| Ideal Candidate | Good skin tone, close to ideal weight | Mild to moderate fat, good skin tone |
| Results Timeline | Visible in 1–2 weeks, final at 3–6 months | Final at 8–12 weeks |
Not sure which is right for you? Dr. Fortes can walk you through both options during your consultation and help you choose what aligns best with your goals and timeline.
Dr. Fortes has performed thousands of Houston liposuction procedures using the latest techniques to ensure his patients are satisfied and safe.
Liposuction is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local or general anesthesia, depending on the areas being treated. A small incision is made, and a thin, hollow tube (called a cannula) is inserted to gently remove excess fat. The fat is suctioned out in a controlled, strategic way to create smoother, more balanced contours.
After the procedure, the area is closed with small sutures and prepared for recovery. Sutures are usually removed about one week later. Most patients can return to work and light activities within five to seven days, with normal physical activity resuming in about three weeks.
Prospective patients must realize that liposuction is not a substitute for a weight loss program and is only recommended for those individuals of normal weight to slightly above normal weight who have excess pockets of fat that do not respond to diet or exercise. When planned correctly, it can be a powerful tool for reshaping and refining your body.
Liposuction can help define and contour your body, not drastically change your weight. That said, most patients notice early improvements within the first few weeks, with more refined results developing over time. Once the swelling begins to go down and your body adjusts to the changes, the full results become more visible.
Here’s what you can expect after liposuction:
Dr. Fortes customizes every procedure to suit your unique shape and goals, focusing on balance and precision. The goal isn’t just to remove fat, it’s to create a body that feels more aligned with how you want to look and feel.
Most patients find liposuction recovery very manageable, and Dr. Fortes and his team provide detailed aftercare instructions to help everything go as smoothly as possible.
Following liposuction, here’s how recovery typically looks:
Your healing timeline depends on the areas treated and your individual body response, but most people are surprised by how quickly they feel back to themselves. Our team will check in and be available every step of the way.
Every liposuction procedure is customized, so the cost can vary based on your specific goals, the areas treated, and the surgical techniques used. If you’re combining liposuction with another procedure, like a tummy tuck or breast enhancement, that will also factor into the overall cost.
At Paul F. Fortes MD Plastic Surgery, your treatment plan, and your pricing, are tailored to you. You’ll receive a detailed quote after your consultation that reflects the full scope of your personalized plan.
Estimated Cost by Area (individual costs may vary):
What’s included in your quote:
There are no hidden costs, just clear, honest pricing. We also accept multiple financing options, including CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit, to help you move forward when you’re ready. Our team is happy to walk you through monthly payment plans during your consultation.
Modern liposuction methods are minimally invasive and use gentle techniques , making the procedure relatively comfortable for patients. Sedation and local anesthetics can be utilized to minimize discomfort.
Liposuction provides permanent results as long as patients maintain their pre-surgery diet and exercise routine.
Patients should openly communicate their desired results with their surgeon, and it's beneficial to review before and after liposuction photos of similar procedures and body types to understand the achievable outcomes.
Common areas for liposuction include the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and neck. Less common areas may include the ankles, inner thighs, and upper back, with the optimal area being unique to each individual.
