Eliminate stubborn body fat with liposuction.
Liposuction in Corpus Christi, TX
As you age, some weight fluctuation is inevitable, no matter how much you diet and exercise. Stressful lives combined with genetics and pregnancies are a recipe for trouble when it comes to unwanted fat. These fat deposits are extremely difficult—if not impossible—to get rid of with exercise and diet alone.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that improves body contours by suctioning away unwanted fat cells. Dr. Vijay offers liposuction to his Corpus Christi patients.
What Can Be Achieved With Liposuction?
How Is Liposuction Performed?
Consultation
Your consultation with Dr. Vijay at his Corpus Christi office is an essential part of your liposuction treatment. Dr. Vijay will take your measurements, provide you with before and after photos of possible results, explain your treatment options and discuss your personal goals and expectations.
Step 1
Liposuction is performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the location and size of the treatment area.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that can last between 1 and 5 hours depending on the amount of fat being removed.
Step 2
Dr. Vijay offers multiple liposuction techniques to achieve optimal results.
- Ultrasound-assisted lipectomy (UAL)
- Medicated fluid is injected into the treatment area
- Small incisions are made to insert the cannula (a hollow tube used for suctioning unwanted fat)
- Ultrasound energy is administered to liquefy the fat cells before removal
- Suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL)
- Medicated fluid is injected into the treatment area
- Small incisions are made to insert the cannula
- The cannula breaks up the fat layer and suctions out the fat cells
Step 3
While not required, some patients choose to transfer the fat removed with their liposuction to another area of the body that has lost or is lacking volume. Fat transfer is commonly used for natural breast and buttock augmentation or to restore facial fullness. It can also be transferred to other areas, including scars, to improve the contours and skin quality.
Do You Have Concerns About Liposuction?
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Recovery
Immediately Afterward
Your treatment areas will be wrapped in compression garments that will protect the healing incisions and help reduce postoperative swelling and bruising.
Because liposuction is performed with anesthesia, you will need to have someone drive you home from the procedure.
24 to 48 Hours After the Procedure
You can expect to develop mild to moderate bruising and swelling in the treatment areas. Any postoperative discomfort can be alleviated with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.
You will need to have someone help you around the house for the first 1 to 2 days. Get plenty of rest, increase your fluid intake and start walking as soon as possible to promote circulation and reduce the chance of blood clots.
In addition to wearing the provided compression garments and foam, it is very important to perform aggressive massage techniques to the liposuction areas, as instructed by Dr. Vijay and his staff. This will optimize the results and minimize the risks of contour deformities.
1 Week After the Procedure
Most patients can return to work and their normal activities within 1 to 2 weeks of their liposuction treatment.
Drains are sometimes used to remove the fluid that can accumulate after liposuction. They are most often removed 1 week after surgery.
2 to 4 Weeks After the Procedure
Most bruising and swelling should resolve within 2 to 4 weeks. Strenuous exercise can be resumed 2 to 6 weeks after your procedure.
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Scars
Liposuction relies on tiny incisions made near the treatment area. These incisions heal well and usually do not leave behind much in the way of scarring. Any scarring that does develop will fade naturally with time and can be lessened by keeping the incisions out of the sun, avoiding tension on the healing incisions and applying silicone strips or gel.
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Cost
Liposuction is a highly personalized procedure. Therefore, the total cost of your liposuction treatment is impossible to know prior to a consultation with Dr. Vijay.
This surgery usually ranges between $2,000 and $3,500 per treatment area, but this will vary significantly depending on the size of the treatment area and the number of areas being treated. Additional liposuction cost factors include anesthesia fees, surgeon’s fees, facility fees, pre-surgical tests and postoperative dressings. Dr. Vijay’s fees include most of the above and will be detailed for you during the consultation.
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Aftercare
Dr. Vijay will provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for yourself and your incisions after your procedure. It is important to follow all of his postoperative instructions to ensure a safe recovery and optimal results.
During your healing process, you should:
- Only take pain medications as prescribed
- Focus on a nutritious diet
- Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Stop smoking
- Refrain from alcoholic beverages
Before & After
Patient Testimonial
“My experience with Dr. Vijay and his staff was quite pleasant. The level of attention is incredible. Everyone is polite and knowledgeable and graces you with a warm welcome. I had liposuction done, and I am extremely happy with the results. Dr.Vijay is very patient, compassionate, and honest in his assessment. He thoroughly explains what he will be doing and what you are to expect post-op. Anytime I had a question day/night, he was available. He is quite tough on you to make sure you’re following his instructions to achieve your maximum results. He and his staff truly care about each patient.” – A.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Am I a candidate for liposuction?
Liposuction is performed for men and women who are struggling with localized fat deposits. Ideal liposuction candidates are non-smoking, healthy individuals who are close to their ideal weight.
Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, and patients should have realistic expectations of their results.
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What are the risks associated with liposuction?
Most patients never experience any significant side effects after their liposuction treatment.
Unfortunately, complications are possible. These risks include:
- Adverse reactions to the anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Prolonged wound healing
Aesthetic complications include:
- Unfavorable scarring
- Contour irregularities
- Asymmetry
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Will I require drains after liposuction?
Occasionally, drainage tubes are necessary to prevent fluid build-up following liposuction. This tube will be inserted beneath the skin in the treated area. Dr. Bindingnavele will provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for and monitor your drains. These directions will include emptying the drain bulb 3 times a day and recording the outputs.
Most drains are removed within a few days to a week after your liposuction treatment.
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How much does liposuction cost?
The cost of liposuction can vary depending on the number and locations of treated areas. The price of liposuction can also change depending on the doctor, anesthesiologist, and facility fees. There are also changes in price based on the complexity of the operation, any combined procedures, and the costs of prescribed medicines following the operation. Your surgeon will provide you with a personalized quote after your consultation.
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Is liposuction painful?
During the procedure, patients should experience no pain. Mild to moderate pain can be expected in the first two weeks of recovery as the incisions heal and swelling subsides. Pain medication may be prescribed as needed, although many patients find relief with over-the-counter pain medication, such as TYLENOL®.
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Are the results of liposuction permanent?
The fat cells removed during a liposuction procedure are gone permanently and cannot grow back. However, that does not preclude a patient from gaining weight again in another area. If a patient gains an excessive amount of weight after a liposuction procedure, most of the benefits may be lost. The treated area will tend to show weight gain slower than other areas of the body, but it is not immune to additional weight gain.
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When will I see my liposuction results?
The results from your liposuction treatment will begin to show immediately but will improve over the following 3 months as the bruising and swelling subside. While most of the swelling will dissipate within 6 to 8 weeks, some swelling may take up to 6 months to completely disappear.
The fat that is removed with liposuction is gone for good, but additional fat deposits can accumulate if a healthy lifestyle is not maintained. Patients should eat a nutritious diet and follow an exercise program.
We also offer CoolSculpting®!
CoolSculpting® is a non-invasive way to get rid of fat permanently. This method has no downtime and is non-surgical.
To learn more about CoolSculpting®, click here.