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Liposuction
in Austin, TX

Even with a healthy lifestyle, certain pockets of fat can be frustratingly resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction offers a highly effective way to address these stubborn areas, creating smoother contours and enhancing your natural proportions. Whether you’re looking to refine your abdomen, thighs, arms, neck, or other treatment areas, modern liposuction techniques can be tailored to your unique goals with minimal disruption to your daily routine.

At Aspira Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Venkata Erella combines advanced body contouring techniques with a personalized approach to help patients achieve natural-looking, balanced results. Conveniently located in Austin, Texas, our practice is dedicated to providing exceptional care and customized treatment plans designed around each patient’s vision for their body.

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Person displaying toned abdominal and hip contours after liposuction treatment
Table of contents
Woman posing confidently with arms raised, displaying toned midsection and arms

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess body fat from specific areas to enhance their shape and contours. This procedure is particularly effective for fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.

At our practice, we perform liposuction while you are awake, using local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia. This approach significantly enhances patient safety, reduces downtime, and enables quicker recovery.

Liposuction Techniques

This is the most common and traditional form of liposuction. It involves injecting a large volume of a special saline solution, called tumescent fluid, into the treatment area. This fluid contains a local anesthetic to numb the area and epinephrine to constrict blood vessels, which minimizes bleeding and bruising. The fluid causes the fat to swell and makes it easier for the surgeon to remove with a thin tube called a cannula.
LAL, often known by brand names like SmartLipo, uses laser energy to liquefy fat cells before they are removed. A thin fiber optic cable is inserted through a small incision to deliver targeted laser heat to the fat deposits. This process not only melts the fat, making it easier to suction out, but also stimulates collagen production in the surrounding skin, which can lead to improved skin tightening.
PAL uses a specialized cannula that vibrates at a high speed. This rapid, gentle vibration helps to break apart the fat cells, allowing the surgeon to remove them more easily and with greater precision. Because less manual force is required, PAL can be less traumatic to surrounding tissues, often resulting in reduced swelling and bruising and a shorter recovery time.
UAL employs ultrasonic energy to liquefy fat cells before they are suctioned out. A special probe delivers sound waves that break down the fat, turning it into a liquid. This technique is particularly effective for dense, fibrous areas, such as the upper back, chest, and areas previously treated with liposuction. The liquefied fat is then gently removed via suction.
Woman displaying toned abdomen and arms in white bikini against neutral background

Areas Treated

Liposuction can be performed on various body parts, making it a versatile option for body contouring. Common areas include:

  • Upper and Lower Abdomen: To remove love handles and sculpt a more defined waistline.
  • Hips and Flanks(waist): Targeting saddlebags and other fat deposits to enhance body proportions.
  • Arms: To remove excess fat and create a more defined arm contour
  • Thighs: Inner and outer thighs are often treated to reduce chafing and improve the silhouette.
  • Back: Addressing bulges around the bra area and lower back.
  • Chest Area: Particularly in men with gynecomastia (enlarged male breast tissue).
  • Chin and Jowls: Refine the jawline and reduce the double chin for a youthful appearance.

before & afters

Before and after liposuction results showing abdominal contouring
Before and after liposuction comparison showing reduced abdominal fullness and improved waistline definition
Before and after liposuction results showing reduced abdominal and flank contours
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Ideal Candidates for Liposuction

Candidates should be in good physical health without any serious medical conditions that could impair healing or increase surgical risks. A thorough medical evaluation with our surgeon is necessary to ensure you are a safe candidate for the procedure.
Good skin elasticity is important for achieving a smooth, natural-looking result. After the fat is removed, the skin must be able to retract and conform to the new, slimmer contours. Patients with significant skin laxity may require an additional skin-tightening procedure.
Liposuction is most effective for individuals who have specific, stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. This procedure is designed to target and sculpt these problem areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, or love handles, rather than providing overall weight reduction.
Liposuction is most effective for individuals who have specific, stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. This procedure is designed to target and sculpt these problem areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, or love handles, rather than providing overall weight reduction.
Smoking and nicotine use severely impair the body’s healing process by restricting blood flow. To ensure a safe recovery and optimal results, candidates must be willing to stop smoking for a significant period before and after their surgery.
Ideal candidates are at or near their goal weight and have maintained it for several months. Since liposuction is a body-contouring tool rather than a weight-loss method, a stable weight ensures that the surgical results will be long-lasting and not compromised by future fluctuations.
While liposuction permanently removes fat cells, maintaining the results depends on a continued commitment to a healthy diet and regular exercise. A healthy lifestyle prevents the remaining fat cells from enlarging and helps ensure your new contours last for years to come.

Consulting with our board-certified plastic surgeon is essential to assess whether liposuction surgery is appropriate for your needs and goals, discuss the potential risks and benefits, and recommend the best course of action based on your circumstances.

Benefits of Liposuction

One of the primary benefits of liposuction is its ability to precisely target and remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, and neck. This targeted approach allows sculpting and reshaping of body contours in ways that diet and exercise alone often cannot achieve.
Liposuction can enhance the body’s shape and proportion by removing excess fatty tissue. This procedure helps define the abdominal muscles, slim the waistline, and balance body proportions, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing figure.
Our patients experience a significant boost in self-esteem and confidence following liposuction. Improving body shape and contours can make people feel more comfortable in their skin and more confident in their appearance, positively impacting their social interactions and personal lives.
The fat cells extracted during liposuction are permanently eliminated from the body. The procedure results can be long-lasting if the patient sustains a stable weight through a healthy lifestyle. When you gain weight, additional fat cells may accumulate, yet regions subjected to liposuction tend to accumulate less fat than untreated areas.
The visible improvement in body contours following liposuction can powerfully motivate individuals to maintain their results through a healthy diet and regular exercise. This can lead to long-term lifestyle changes and overall improvements in health and well-being.
Although liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for weight loss, removing fat, particularly visceral fat around the abdomen, can reduce certain health risks associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Compared with other body-contouring procedures, liposuction usually results in minimal scarring. The incisions made for the cannula (the instrument used to suction the fat) are small and strategically placed to be as inconspicuous as possible.
Although recovery times vary, many liposuction techniques benefit from a relatively quick recovery period. Numerous patients can resume work and normal activities within several days to a week following the procedure.
Woman displaying toned abdominal contours after liposuction

Pre-Operative Preparation

This begins with a consultation, during which Dr. Erella will evaluate your health, discuss your aesthetic goals, and explain your options and the associated risks. This crucial step ensures that you have realistic expectations and allows for meticulous procedural planning.
A comprehensive medical assessment will be conducted to verify that you are a suitable candidate for surgery. This will involve reviewing your medical history, performing physical examinations, and possibly undergoing laboratory tests.
You will be provided with detailed guidelines on how to prepare for your surgery, including dietary recommendations, adjustments to your current medication regimen, and advice on tobacco cessation, all aimed at facilitating a smooth procedure and recovery.

The Surgical Procedure

Your liposuction will be performed under local anesthesia. This approach helps our patients recover faster and reduce downtime. If you are not a candidate for local anesthesia, then Dr. Erella will offer general anesthesia.
Dr. Erella will make small, carefully placed incisions in the targeted areas. These incisions, typically just a few millimeters long, are strategically located to minimize visible scarring.
A thin tube, known as a cannula, will be inserted through the incisions. Dr. Erella will manipulate the cannula to loosen the fat, which will then be suctioned out of your body using a vacuum pump or a syringe attached to the cannula.
Usually, incisions are left open to facilitate the drainage of excess fluid.

Recovery After Liposuction Procedure

Woman in profile showing defined waistline and contoured body shape

Recovery after liposuction is a critical phase that requires careful attention 
to the body’s signals and adherence to medical guidance. Post-operative care is central to shaping the outcome and ensuring a smooth return 
to daily activities.

Swelling and fluid retention are among the most common experiences during the recovery stage. These conditions can last from a few days to several weeks. Wearing a compression garment is standard after liposuction surgery to reduce swelling and support the body’s natural healing process.

  • Wearing the compression garment as directed contributes to a more contoured healing process.
  • Monitoring any changes in swelling or fluid retention is crucial and should be communicated to Dr. Erella.

Typically, patients observe a marked improvement in their ability to perform work and light activities within 1 to 2 weeks after the liposuction procedure. However, rigorous exercise and physically demanding tasks should be postponed for several weeks after the surgery to facilitate proper healing.

  • Engage in gentle walks to promote circulation, as recommended.
  • Avoid heavy lifting and high-impact workouts until clearance from Dr. Erella.
Follow-up appointments after liposuction are essential for monitoring recovery, addressing concerns, and ensuring the healing process is on track. These sessions allow us to evaluate the healing process and address any problems that may arise.

Is Liposuction Safe?

Person displaying toned abdominal and thigh contours after liposuction treatment
Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed and well-studied cosmetic procedures, and when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Erella, it carries a strong safety profile. Performing the procedure under local anesthesia while you’re awake further reduces risk, since it eliminates the complications that can sometimes come with general anesthesia.
As with any surgical procedure, liposuction does carry some potential side effects and risks. These can include:
  • Temporary swelling, bruising, and numbness in the treated areas
  • Skin irregularities or contour asymmetries
  • Fluid accumulation beneath the skin
  • Contour irregularities that may take few weeks to resolve
  • Infection or poor wound healing, though this is uncommon with proper post-operative care

Most of these effects are temporary and resolve naturally as your body heals. Dr. Erella takes extensive precautions to minimize risk at every stage, from a thorough pre-operative medical evaluation to careful surgical technique to close follow-up care during your recovery. Choosing an experienced, board-certified surgeon, being honest about your health history, and closely following your post-operative instructions are some of the most important factors in ensuring a safe procedure and a smooth recovery.

During your consultation, Dr. Erella will walk you through your personal risk factors and answer any questions you have so you feel fully informed and confident going into your procedure.

Add-OnProcedures

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Rather than discarding the fat removed during liposuction, it can be purified and reinjected into the breasts to add natural, soft volume. This approach offers a more subtle enhancement than implants, using your own tissue for a natural-looking, natural-feeling result while simultaneously contouring the donor area.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
In a Brazilian butt lift, fat harvested through liposuction, often from the abdomen, flanks, or back, is purified and strategically injected into the buttocks to enhance shape, volume, and projection. This procedure allows Dr. Erella to sculpt your midsection while simultaneously enhancing your curves, all using your own natural fat.

Your Trusted Destination for
Liposuction in Austin, TX

At Aspira Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Venkata Erella takes a personalized approach to liposuction, creating treatment plans tailored to your body, goals, and desired outcome. Using advanced body contouring techniques and awake liposuction performed under local anesthesia, we help patients achieve smoother, more defined contours with a focus on safety, comfort, and natural-looking results.

Whether you’re targeting stubborn fat in a single area or seeking a more comprehensive transformation, our team is committed to guiding you through every step of the process. Schedule a consultation to learn how liposuction at Aspira Plastic Surgery can help you achieve a slimmer, more confident silhouette.
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What People Are Saying

Five green stars representing a five-star rating
“Fantastic doctor very attenative. He takes the time to explain in detail every procedure. Love his office staff always polite and helpful.”
 

-Richard H.

Five green stars representing a five-star rating

“I’m extremely happy with both the office visits and my procedure. Dr. Erella did such a great job. His attentional to detail as well as concerns for safety helped me to feel comfortable and at ease.”

 

-Susan

Five green stars representing a five-star rating

“I had double chin liposuction with Dr. Erella, and I’m really happy with the results. The procedure was smooth, he was very professional, and looks natural and exactly what I wanted. Highly recommend..”

 -Nadeen H.
Five green stars representing a five-star rating

“Fantastic doctor very attenative. He takes the time to explain in detail every procedure. Love his office staff always polite and helpful.”

 -Richard H.
Five green stars representing a five-star rating

“Fantastic doctor very attenative. He takes the time to explain in detail every procedure. Love his office staff always polite and helpful.”

 -Richard H.

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Cost of Liposuction Procedures in Austin, TX

The cost of liposuction in Austin, TX, typically ranges from $7,000 to $15,000. However, since these figures represent averages, it is crucial to consult Dr. Erella for a personalized cost estimate. This consultation will enable us to tailor your expenses to your needs and cosmetic objectives.

For your convenience, we collaborate with CareCredit, Cherry, PatientFi, and Alphaeon to offer financing options. These companies provide low-interest payment plans to eligible applicants, allowing you to pay for liposuction gradually rather than all at once. Feel free to inquire with our staff for further details.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Because our liposuction procedures are performed using local anesthesia while you’re awake, most patients report only mild discomfort during the procedure itself. You may feel some pressure or vibration as Dr. Erella works, but the tumescent fluid keeps the area numb throughout the procedure. Some soreness, tightness, and swelling are normal during the first several days of recovery and can typically be managed with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication.
Awake liposuction under local anesthesia allows for a safer procedure with fewer risks, since it avoids the complications sometimes associated with general anesthesia. It also means a faster recovery, less grogginess afterward, and the ability to go home the same day without the need for someone to monitor you through sedation recovery.
The fat cells removed during liposuction are gone permanently. As long as you maintain a stable weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise, your results can last for many years. Keep in mind that significant weight gain after the procedure can still cause remaining fat cells, in treated and untreated areas alike, to enlarge.
The best technique depends on the treatment area, fat density, skin quality, and your goals. Tumescent liposuction is a versatile, tried-and-true option, while laser-assisted (LAL) and power-assisted (PAL) techniques offer certain advantages for skin tightening or precision, and ultrasound-assisted (UAL) liposuction is often preferred for fibrous or previously treated areas. Dr. Erella will recommend the best approach for you during your consultation.
Most patients return to work and light daily activities within one to two weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks until Dr. Erella clears you, but many people are up and moving, with some restrictions, fairly soon after surgery.
Yes. A compression garment is a standard part of recovery and helps minimize swelling, support the treated tissue, and encourage smooth, even healing. Dr. Erella will let you know how long you should plan to wear it.
In many cases, yes. Depending on your goals and candidacy, liposuction is sometimes combined with other body contouring procedures for more comprehensive results. This is something to discuss with Dr. Erella during your consultation, as it will affect your surgical plan and recovery.
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