LIPOSUCTION

What is liposuction?

A liposuction is a surgical procedure to remove localized fat deposits to improve the body’s contour.

It is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. Both men and women can achieve an improved and more contoured body shape through liposuction.

The most treated areas in women are the outer thighs and stomach, whereas the most commonly areas in men are the abdomen and the flanks, or ‘love handles’. Some men also have excess fat tissue in and around the breast, which can also be removed (gynaecomastia).

A good candidate for liposuction: patients (men and women) who want to reduce stubborn fatty deposits that have resisted dieting and exercise. Liposuction is not a treatment for overweight or cellulite. The best result is achieved with persons who are close to their ideal body weight (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 20-25). Therefore, in some cases, a prior diet of healthy eating and exercise is recommended.

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): If a person also has loose skin, an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) may be required to remove excess skin. Click here for further information on tummy tuck.

Treatment

The treatment area will first be injected with a tumescent fluid, using micro cannula. The fluid also contains anaesthetic (to numb the area) and medication to constrict blood vessels and reduce post-procedure bleeding. The excess fat will become tumescent and will be suctioned out with micro cannula. Traditionally liposuction was performed with a larger cannula to aid the extraction of larger volumes of fat. The use of micro cannula takes longer and requires more precise work but will cause less bruising and bleeding. In some cases, an ultrasonic liposuction will be performed. The ultrasonic vibrations make the fat cells burst, making its subsequent removal easier and quicker. A further advantage is that more skin shrinkage can be expected as a result of the generated heat.

A liposuction is done in day surgery under sedation with local anaesthesia or under general anaesthesia (by our anaesthesiologist).

Before-and-After photos

Click here for before-and-after photos liposuction.

LIPOSUCTION COST

Click here to see the prices for liposuction.

Course of your treatment

We refer to the information mentioned under course of treatment. Please read this information very carefully.

Postoperative care

It is important to remember that liposuction is surgery, requiring diligent post-operative care. After surgery, the patient can expect to be swollen and bruised and to experience a sore feeling for a few days. It is also common to experience some numbness in the treated areas although this should go away in the first weeks. Patients are required to wear a pressure compression garment/belly garment day and night for minimally 3 weeks in order to avoid fluid accumulation and to promote the skin shrinking. Your first check-up appointment is required in the week after treatment for wound control and removing the stitches. The next check is done after 3 to 6 months. The postoperative controls are extremely important because problems can be detected at an early stage so that further surgical intervention can be avoided. No consultation fees will be charged for these check-ups.

Side-effects / postoperative complications

This surgery has the same risks as any other surgery. Please refer to the information concerning the side effects. The specific risks and possible complications are also explained during the interview with the plastic surgeon.

Global Care Clinic liposuction

LIPOLYSIS

What is a Lipolysis treatment?

A local form of body contouring/fat reduction by injections. Only minimal fat excess can be treated with Lipolysis. For larger fat excess, liposuction is a better treatment.

Treatment

The unwanted fat will be injected with the substance phosphatidylcholine (PPT). This substance is a natural substance, derived from the soy plant. The human body makes this substance itself as part of the fat metabolism. The injections activate and speed up the natural metabolism process whereby fat melts away and is removed from the body in a natural way within a few weeks after the treatment.

QUESTIONS ABOUT LIPOLYSIS

For which body areas is a Lipolysis treatment possible? Lipolysis is only intended for smaller areas. One lipolysis treatment will only dissolve 100 to 200cc fat, compared to 1 liter fat when undergoing a liposuction. The most common areas for lipolysis are: the fat under the BRA-strap (front and back), fat around the belly button, knees, double chin, jaw line,…

How many treatments are necessary? The number of treatments varies from person to person, of the body area and surface to be treated. As an indication normally 1 to 3 treatments are performed with intervals of 6 to 8 weeks. For a double chin 1 session is normally sufficient.

Is the treatment safe? The injected medicine is a natural substance that our body produces in order to protect the liver and which has been used already several years in the medical field to prevent fat clots in the blood.

How long does it take until I can continue my normal activities? Apart from the redness and swelling of the skin and possible bruises on the treated area, there are no major side effects, so that one can continue normal activities immediately after the treatment.

What will my skin look like after the treatment? After the treatment the skin will be red and swollen and in some cases bruising. These side effects will disappear after a few days.

How does the treatment feel like? The treatment is done by injections with very small, thin needles and is usually well tolerated. The treated area may feel a bit irritated or itching during a few days.

What other methods are there to remove local fat deposits? Liposuction is used to treat a larger area at once. A body lift surgery removes fat and skin (for example an abdominoplasty).