Liposuction

Summer means swimsuits, shorter skirts for women and generally more flesh exposed. People with normal body weight become more aware of small trouble areas, such as the lower abdomen, hips and love handles.

Many individuals suffer from localized areas of fatty pockets which prove to be virtually resistant to dieting or exercise. These areas are often inherited and do not respond to conservative treatment which makes liposuction often the only way to eliminate them. Due to their distribution a disproportionate or sometimes unaesthetical appearance is frequently caused which may demoralize even the most serious attempts to stick to a diet or exercise in both, female and male.

Operation

Liposuction and liposculpture has been refined and is a quite safe procedure. It removes localised deposits of excess fat from specific areas of the body by using small cannulas introduced through small incisions. Microcannulas (between 2-3 mms in diameter) are inserted into the accurately defined region through tiny incisions and the excess of fat cells is removed keeping a consistent negative pressure. Prior to this a specific solution is instilled which loosens up and liquefies the fat cells. Under regular moulding movements the fat is suctioned while it is crucial to emphesize the effect of a proper shaping-technique. A recurrence of fat at the suctioned sites is excluded, the areas will remain slim because the fat cells will not be replaced by new fatty tissue.

Regions

Typical regions to perform liposuction in women are: inner and outer thighs, hips and buttocks, knees, abdomen and waist, calves and ankles, upper arms, cheeks, jowls and neck. The characteristic regions in male patients are: abdomen, waist, chest and jowls.

Anaesthesia

Regarding the size of the suctioned regions and considering the patients desires it is possible to perform liposuction under local anaesthesia (small regions), sedation or under general anaesthesia (larger regions). "Tumescence" liposuction introduces large amounts of a special solution which enables the surgeon to extend the local anesthesia to greater regions and is a very elegant option. After the suctioning of large depots of fat it is mandatory to monitor the patient carefully.

Duration of stay in the clinic

It is possible to undergo the procedure as an outpatient (day surgery) or to stay at the clinic for 2 days which in some cases might be more comfortable.

After the procedure

There is a minimal recovery time. A special compression garment should be worn for 4-6 weeks. Exercise should be refrained from for about 2 weeks. To avoid the formation of dark spots it is sensible to keep out of the sun, solarium or sauna for approximately 3 months.