Houston Liposuction & Body Contouring

Henry A. Mentz, M.D., PA, FACS, FICS

Liposuction is one of the most requested plastic surgery procedures in Houston, and Dr. Mentz has been one of the leaders in the field of liposuction. He has presented new ideas in liposculpture and liposuction in more than 6 countries and has written papers and presentations on innovations in body contouring. He is the inventor of abdominal and pectoral etching, worked to create safer liposuction, was the first to use local anesthetic pumps for pain relief, and developed a new device for smoother liposuction.

Liposuction in Houston - Texas

Liposuction is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. A small incision is made in the skin so that a small hollow tube called a cannula may be inserted to assist with the removal of excess fat. No sutures are used and the incisions are left open. This reduces bruising and fluid collection under the skin. Patients generally return to work in five to seven days. Normal athletic activities can be resumed in about three weeks.

While some patients undergo major liposuction to remove 10 to 25 pounds of excess fat, most patients prefer to have small amounts of fat removed from specific areas. Moderate volume liposuction is liposuction during which less than 5 liters or 10 pounds of fat are removed. During large volume liposuction up to 10 liters or 20 pounds are removed and patients are required to stay overnight in one of our private rooms with their nurse.

The tumescent technique enables Dr. Mentz to remove larger volumes of fat under anesthesia and can lessen your recovery time. Strategies for safer liposuction have been studied by Dr. Mentz for many years and Dr. Mentz has made many contributions to the field in safety and effectiveness. These include limits on removal, maintaining body warmth, increasing postop mobility, decreasing postop pain, incrimental compression lower leg garments, overnight recovery, and postop DVT prophylaxis.

Abdominal and Pectoral Etching in Houston - Texas

Abdominal Etching was first performed in Houston, Texas and was invented by Dr. Mentz in 1992. Basically, the abdominal fat is suctioned smooth, then the linea alba (line down the middle) and the transverse incriptions (six pack) are etched or aggressively suctioned. This enhances the contours and creates a more athletic appearance in the abs. Dr. Mentz published the first article in 1993 and has been the leader in the field of plastic surgery in this area. He developed the "modified etch" for less muscular and female patients and recently has developed the "pectoral etch" for the chest. In the pectoral etch, the lower and outside edge of the pectoralis muscle is etched after the removal of fat in the chest and axilla. This provides a more linear contour and harder look to the pectoral muscle.

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in Houston, Texas

Abdominoplasty or a "tummy tuck" is the most common plastic surgery procedure used to flatten the stomach. Women whose stomach muscles have become stretched due to pregnancy or losing a great deal of weight are candidates for this procedure.

During abdominoplasty, excess skin is removed from the middle and lower abdomen and the muscles of the abdominal wall are tightened.This operation has classically been one of the most painful, but Dr. Mentz was the first to use the Marcaine pump (local anesthetic) to reduce pain after tummy tucks. The "Pump" can reduce the amount of pain after surgery, allow for better mobility, and generally reduce risks for postoperative complications and make the tummy tuck recovery more comfortable. [Research performed in 2003 by Dr. Mentz].

Abdominoplasty is generally performed in one to two hours, and most patients plan for an overnight stay in our overnight facility with one of our private nurses. Your recovery period usually lasts one to two weeks, with exercise being resumed after six weeks. Abdominoplasty does result in a permanent scar, but Dr. Mentz can hide the scar below your bikini line. During your office visit, Dr. Mentz will discuss your options as well as any risks associated with the procedure.

Arm Liposuction or Brachioplasty (arm lift) in Houston, Texas

Brachioplasty is the technical term for an arm lift, a surgical procedure used to remove loose skin and excess fat deposits that accumulate in the upper arm, caused mostly by aging. For some patients, Dr. Mentz may recommend liposuction in conjunction with an arm lift to remove excess fat in the upper arms.

During liposuction of the arm, small incisions are made in the armpit and the elbow so that a small, hollow tube called a cannula can be inserted to suction the fat from the area. Dr. Mentz also will sculpt the desired contour of your arm. Your skin quality will not change during this procedure, although some swelling and bruising may occur. These side effects usually diminish after about three to five weeks. Loose skin requires skin removal and a subsequent scar that is on the inside of the arm form armpit to elbow. This removal, called brachioplasty, is less common than liposuction of the arms.

Neck liposuction or Platysmaplasty in Houston, Texas

Aging causes the skin to eventually begin to sag, but even patients who are relatively young can prematurely age in the neck area due to laxity of the neck muscle and accumulation of fat in this area. Liposuction can often relieve the neck area of unwanted fat, but depending on your condition, Dr. Mentz also may combine liposuction with tightening of the neck muscles for longer-lasting results. Dr. Mentz presented multiple strategies in his facelift chapter on neck lifts in 2001 and has lectured on new techniques for neck tightening and lifting.

This outpatient procedure is called platysmaplasty and may be performed under general anesthesia. Stitches are removed in about one week, and any bruising or swelling will usually diminish after a month. Dr. Mentz will discuss the procedure with you in great detail during your office visit, as well as any risks associated with the procedure.

To learn more about Body Contouring and Liposuction Surgery contact Dr. Mentz at 713-799-9999.

View Entire Publication List