Liposuction

What qualifies you for liposuction surgery?

Liposuction is not recommended for obese individuals or patients considering liposuction as a weight-loss method. Patients suffering from heart problems, diabetes, or certain infections are at risk of developing complications from liposuction surgery and they may not be good candidates for this procedure.

How many trips do I need to take abroad to complete the procedure? 

You will need 1 trip abroad to complete the whole procedure and follow up with your local doctor. 

How long should you stay in the hospital after the surgery? 

You may spend one night in the hospital after the procedure to monitor your status. 

How long is the surgery? 

The procedure normally takes 1 to 4 hours.

How many days should I travel/stay abroad to do liposuction? 

You will need to stay a minimum of 3 days abroad in your chosen destination.

What you should avoid before the surgery? 

The patient should avoid the intake of vitamins, herbal tea, any aspirin-based medicine and should quit smoking at least 10 days before the liposuction surgery.

Does lipo leave scars?

Potentials risks of the surgery 

According to a study focused on liposuction complication rates, the average liposuction surgery complication rate is around 5%, with most complications being minor.

Side effects that are common with liposuction

During the first 5 to 10 days after the surgery patients may feel discomfort, swelling, bruising, and inflammation. Depending on the type of anesthesia, some patients may feel nausea or dizziness.

Liposuction success rate

A study on laser-assisted liposuction success rates reveals that around 89% of patients report being satisfied with the procedure and would do it again, with around 94% willing to recommend it to family and friends.

How soon after lipo will I see results?

How long does it take before going back to work? 

You can expect to get back to work after 3 to 7 days after the surgery.

When can I get back to sports after the treatment? 

You can expect to get back to exercise after 2 weeks.

Types of Liposuction

Patients opting for liposuction surgery have plenty of different techniques and options available to them, depending on their needs, expectations, and the part of the body where the liposuction will take place. Different parts of the body store different types and amounts of fat, meaning that better aesthetically pleasing results can be achieved by using the proper type of liposuction.

SAL or Suction Assisted Liposuction

Suction-assisted liposuction is the traditional type of liposuction where the surgeon breaks down fatty deposits with the use of a cannula (a hollow tube). This is the simplest type of liposuction available for patients.

Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction is similar to suction-assisted liposuction, with a slight difference. Large amounts of anesthetic fluids are used in order to make the tissue swollen or tumescent, making it easier for the doctor to remove the fat.

SmartLipo or Laser-Assisted Liposuction

Laser-assisted liposuction is similar to traditional liposuction techniques with the only difference being that a laser is used to further break down fatty tissue before suction is applied to remove it. The heat generated by the laser will melt fat, tighten skin and coagulate blood vessels within the skin.

It can also make the recovery process easier for the patient, contributing to a quicker recovery with reduced bruising and better-looking skin, compared to other liposuction procedures such as suction-assisted liposuction. SmartLipo can be performed under local or general anesthesia, as is the case with other types of liposuction.

Being a more complex procedure, laser-assisted liposuction should be performed by the most experienced plastic surgeons.

VASER Liposuction or Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

VASER liposuction is similar to laser-assisted liposuction with the only difference being that VASER liposuction uses ultrasound energy in order to break up fatty tissue within the liposuction area. The doctor creates the necessary incision and a special cannula fitted with a low-frequency device is inserted through the incision in order to emulsify the fatty tissue.

The fat is then removed through traditional suction techniques. VASER liposuction provides some advantages such as reduced bruising, reduced swelling, and reduced blood loss from the procedure, the only drawback being that it requires a larger incision to accommodate the ultrasound device.

That being said, this technique is recommended for areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks.

Power-Assisted Liposuction or PAL

Power-assisted liposuction is a great choice for patients with a high volume of fat that has to be removed. Similar to VASER liposuction, power-assisted liposuction uses an improved cannula, fitted with a vibrating device that breaks up fatty tissue before removing it through suction. 

High Definition of Liposuction or HDL

High-definition liposuction is a relatively new technique through which the underlying muscle is defined through fat grafting and selective liposuction. This is a more time-consuming procedure, compared to other techniques but the results tend to be more aesthetically pleasing.