Michael M. Papalian, MD

Duet plastic surgery recommended I see Dr Papalian for liposuction. I chose Dr. Papalian for abdominal liposuction after being told I would receive strong definition and abdominal etching. Unfortunately, the results were far below what was discussed. Only 1.2 lbs of fat were removed — a bottom-decile amount compared to the 3–5 lbs other board-certified surgeons estimated for the same areas. My procedure was highly conservative despite asking for 10/10 maximum reduction, high definition. It felt like I received another patient’s treatment plan. I underwent suffering and time off for a procedure that was not at all what I asked for and immediately needed revision. There was no visible etching, and key regions I paid to have treated — including parts of the middle abdomen and mid-back — were not meaningfully addressed. I was told afterward that sections of the upper abdomen were “too hard to reach,” which left major areas untreated. Overall, the result felt like roughly 30% of what I expected based on our consultation. I raised these concerns multiple times (starting from 2 days after surgery), hoping for a path toward correction or a partial refund, but no solution was offered. I am now pursuing revision with a surgeon who specializes in high-definition VASER, which aligns more closely with the aesthetic I was originally seeking. For anyone considering liposuction — especially if you want high-definition results — I strongly recommend consulting surgeons who specialize specifically in HD VASER, such as Dr. Sieber or Dr. De La Cruz in Houston, so that expectations, technique, and outcomes are aligned from the beginning. While this was my personal experience, I hope it helps others make a more informed decision.

The procedure left me with noticeable scarring, and I’m disappointed with how it was handled. The surgeon was difficult to work with, dismissive of concerns, and unwilling to adjust the approach despite clear issues. Overall, it felt like a stubborn, one-size-fits-all experience rather than patient-focused care.

It seemed he was more interested in talking me out of doing the procedure I was interested in than anything else. The $50 consultations fee was the biggest waste of money.