The Piazza Center for Plastic Surgery and Advanced Skin Care
5920 W. William Cannon Drive
Mesa Oaks Building Seven, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78749
Phone: (512) 288-8200
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Liposuction
For many people in New Braunfels, Laredo, Wimberley, Dripping Springs, Kyle, and the surrounding area, despite exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet, pockets of fat in certain areas of the body will not disappear. While you may be doing everything you can to slim down in certain areas, you may not be able to achieve the results you want without cosmetic surgery. In this instance, liposuction in Austin, TX, from board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rocco Piazza can help improve your body contours and create a slimmer, more proportional appearance.
Liposuction Before & After Photos
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Case #203
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Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Your Liposuction Consultation
If you live in or around Austin and liposuction treatment is something you are considering, Dr. Piazza will consult with you to discuss your cosmetic goals and desires. It is important to note, that while liposuction may help provide optimal body contouring results, it should not be regarded as a substitute for weight loss or healthy lifestyle habits. For best results, liposuction patients should be at or close to their ideal body weight, with localized areas of fat that they would like to slim down. For patients with smaller areas of fat, or those who’d rather not undergo surgery, Dr. Piazza may recommend CoolSculpting®, a non-invasive fat reduction procedure that’s been cleared by the FDA.
Your Liposuction Procedure
After determining the target areas that you would like to treat, Dr. Piazza will begin your procedure using the power-assisted liposuction approach. This method of liposuction is time tested and has provided beautiful results for countless women and men. A tumescent fluid will be injected into the specified area in order to separate the fat cells from surrounding tissue, constrict blood vessels, and provide anesthesia. This greatly reduces the chances of bruising and increases safety. Small incisions are made for the cannula (suction tube), which is passed through the treatment area to break up and suction away fat. Dr. Piazza uses a special port that protects the skin by keeping the incision as small as possible. He firmly believes that the incisions must be placed strategically to minimize visibility.
To achieve the best results for you, Dr. Piazza uses MicroAire’s PAL® Power-Assisted Liposuction System, which enables him to carefully contour each area he treats. This device is superior to traditional liposuction because it makes it easier to achieve smooth contours. Dr. Piazza also feels that this technology is superior to laser liposuction because the fat is easily removed without leaving behind liquefied fat that the body must break down.
Once the fat has been suctioned, your incisions will be closed with dissolvable sutures and sealed with a dressing. Treated areas will then be wrapped with compression garments. Frequently, Dr. Piazza uses a compressive foam padding beneath the garment to minimize swelling and ensure a specific contour is realized at the treatment area. In addition to enhancing Dr. Piazza’s meticulous technique, compression minimizes contour irregularities and encourages skin tightening.
After your procedure, you may be sore for a few days or as long as several weeks. Over time, discomfort will subside, and you will be able to enjoy your new shape.
Meet Dr. Piazza
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rocco C. Piazza looks forward to meeting with you to help you discover how you can achieve your cosmetic goals and desires.
About Dr. Piazza
Liposuction at a Glance
Goal:
Areas commonly treated with liposuction include:
- Waist: Contour the waistline (reducing flanks, love handles, muffin top) and lower back
- Upper arms: Restore slim contours and reveal muscle definition
- Thighs: Reduce the presence of saddle bags and reveal an inner thigh gap
- Bra line: Improve the contour of the back and sides of the breasts
Procedure:
Liposuction is performed by suctioning fat through a thin tube called a cannula that is inserted through incisions concealed near the targeted areas, which include:
- Waist: Between the buttocks and in the lower waist or pubic region
- Upper arms: In the axillary and elbow areas
- Thighs: In the groin, bikini line, and inner knee area
- Bra line: Underneath the breast and along the midline in the bra line
Anesthesia:
General anesthesia
Procedure length:
- Waist: 1 hour
- Upper arms: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Thighs: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Bra line: 1.5 hours
Aftercare:
Once the surgery is complete, the incision sites will be closed with dissolvable sutures, a small steri-strip, and sealed with a clear dressing. Treated areas will be covered with a thick foam pad and then wrapped in a compression garment to minimize swelling, bruising, and recovery time. Compression also helps to maintain the shape Dr. Piazza created during the procedure.
Recovery:
Typically ranges from 1 to 2 weeks. The foam compression pads will be removed on day 4 and the bandages placed over the incisions will be removed 5 to 6 days following surgery. The compression binder will be used for the first 2 weeks and then replaced with a less compressive garment that will support the treated area for the next 3 to 4 weeks.
Timeline
- Surgery
- Day 4 to 5: Foam Removal
- Day 5 to 6: Dressing removal
- Day 5 to 7: Return to work and social activities
- 2 to 3 weeks: Return to exercise
- 3 months: 80% healed
- 6 months: 100% healed
Your Liposuction Recovery & Results
Immediately after surgery, you’ll need someone to drive you home. The following is a summary of your recovery process:
Initial 24 hours
- You’ll feel tightness, swelling, and some soreness.
- It’s important to walk around for 5 to 10 minutes 7 or 8 times during the day to promote circulation.
- Stay on top of your discomfort by taking your pain medication on time.
The first few days
- You’ll feel swollen and sore, but the compression garment and padding will help.
- Eat fiber-rich foods and drink lots of water to help with digestion and keep you energized.
- Continue walking around the house for a few minutes every 1 to 2 hours during the day.
The first week
- The foam padding is removed around 4 days after your procedure.
- The incision dressings are removed about 5 or 6 days after surgery.
- Most people are back to non-strenuous work and social activities within a week.
2 to 4 weeks
- You can transition from a surgical binder to a softer compression garment after around 2 weeks.
- During this time, you may also resume exercise, starting slowly and carefully.
3 months
- Your sutures have completely dissolved and incisions are fading.
- Bruising is gone and swelling should be resolved.
6 months
- By this time, most people are entirely healed and enjoying their final results.
- You will have your “after” photos taken at our office.
After your 6-month appointment, you will be scheduled for annual follow-up appointments to monitor your results and make sure you’re happy and healthy.
A Patient for Life™
When you get plastic surgery at The Piazza Center, we make a long-term commitment to your recovery, your beauty, and your well-being. Learn about the dedication you receive when you become a patient for life.
Learn MoreAre You Ready for Liposuction?
At The Piazza Center, we believe that beautiful surgical results are enhanced by a healthy lifestyle. Our aim is to help you achieve your cosmetic goals and desires. Our reputation for personalized care attracts plastic surgery patients from San Antonio and throughout Texas. If you would like to find out more information regarding liposuction, you can request an in-person or virtual consultation online, or call our office at
(512) 288-8200.
Real Patients. Real Stories
Helping Our Patients to Live Confidently
Find out what it's like to be a patient of The Piazza Center. Review the stories and "after" photos of some of the plastic surgery patients who've shared their experiences with us.
View StoriesDr. Piazza Answers Common Questions
Can liposuction be combined with other procedures?
Liposuction can be used to complement other surgical procedures, such as a tummy tuck or a face lift. I like to use liposuction for patients who would like additional contouring. Used sparingly in these instances, I’ve found that it can provide the finishing touch to another procedure, and can produce optimal cosmetic results.
Will the fat return after my procedure?
Many of my patients ask me if the fat will return to the area treated with liposuction. I make it a point to tell my patients that while the fat will not return to that specific area, an unhealthy lifestyle may result in weight gain in other areas of the body. Liposuction is not meant to be perceived as weight loss surgery; it is a way to help improve areas that are resistant to other more traditional fat loss methods.
What are some of the diet-resistant fat pockets that are treated most frequently?
This is a great question because some of the areas where fat is hardest to lose can be the ones most easily treated with liposuction with minimal recovery. The area that I like to call the anterior axillary fold (AAF) is a rewarding area to treat. This is the stubborn area of fat located in the upper outer area of the breast that bothers patients when they wear certain dresses or tank tops. It takes approximately 30 minutes to treat the AAF using a tiny concealed incision. Another nearby area is the upper arm in which fullness is removed between the elbow and the armpit. This is a great area to treat in patients with good skin quality. The inner knees at the top of the legs, which may be treated in under 20 minutes, are really rewarding to treat as patients appreciate the contour change after surgery.
Delivering an Exceptional Anesthesia Experience for Our Patients
At The Piazza Center, our patients come first. We have listened to our patients and in an effort to reduce the uncertainty with the anesthesia experience, The Piazza Center has developed a collaborative relationship with Dr. Cady to deliver an exceptional anesthesia experience for patients like you.
“By far the best anesthesia experience I've ever had. Thank you!!”
Learn more about Dr. Cady, D.O. and The Piazza Center’s approach to taking the fear and stress out of anesthesia.
Learn MoreIs liposuction surgery safe?
In the hands of a board-certified plastic surgeon, liposuction is extremely safe. When performed as a standalone procedure, liposuction has a major complication rate of less than 1%. When combined with other surgical procedures, the risk of complications increases, but is still very low. You can minimize your risk of complications by avoiding tobacco products, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and following your surgeon’s pre- and post-op instructions closely.
Can liposuction replace a tummy tuck?
Liposuction and tummy tuck surgery address different things. Liposuction is great for reducing areas of unwanted fat where the skin is firm and elastic. When there is excess, sagging skin and separated abdominal muscles—as is often the case after pregnancy or weight loss—a tummy tuck is the appropriate solution. Liposuction surgery is often performed to enhance the results of a tummy tuck by sculpting the waist and flanks.
Is liposuction surgery painful?
Most people find the recovery from liposuction surgery to be fairly mild. Some have even described it as feeling sore, like after a tough workout. Of course, every individual is different, and it can vary depending on the extent and area of your liposuction. Your surgeon will discuss pain management options with you prior to surgery. Most individuals do not require prescription pain medication.