Liposuction is a fat removal and body contouring surgery which has been performed by plastic surgeons for a long time. The target areas of the surgery are localized fats on the abdomen, hips, back, thighs, calves, arms, neck, and chin. During the surgery, the specialists first liquefy this excess fatty tissue and then remove the liquefied fat through a thin tube called a cannula. This surgery is suitable for people who have localized fat, and not for obese and overweight patients.

What is liposuction?

It is a surgical procedure based on removing fatty tissue from the body by using vacuum suction. Plastic surgeons usually perform this procedure on the abdomen, thighs, hips, neck, and chin, upper and back parts of arms, calves, and back.  Plastic surgeons remove fatty tissues by inserting thin, long, and hollow cannula tubes through 2-4 mm incisions. A powerful, high-pressure vacuum is applied to the cannulas. Liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic surgical operations around the world.

How does liposuction work?

For liposuction procedures, plastic surgery specialists first liquefy the fatty tissues with different methods such as ultrasound, or vaser. They then make small, inconspicuous incisions (2-4 mm) on the skin. They suck the liquefied fatty tissues and remove them from the area by inserting vacuum cannulas with a diameter of 2-3 mm through these incisions. The area cleared of fatty tissue becomes thinner and contoured.

For what purpose is liposuction used?

Plastic surgery specialists apply liposuction to remove excess fat tissue and contour the bodies of people who are not obese or overweight, but have regional fat deposits that cannot be removed by weight loss methods. They prefer this procedure especially for areas with stubborn fat and localized fat such as hips, abdomen, waist, and knees.

Which points should be considered before getting liposuction?

People who will get liposuction should first check and record their weight. They should also have their body fat percentage measured with smart scales. In this way, they can see more clearly how much weight and fat they have lost. The patients should quit smoking and taking aspirin three weeks before this surgery. In addition, they should avoid medicines and similar substances that can thin the blood for the last week prior to the surgery, and they should get detailed information about that from their specialist doctors.

Which points should be considered after getting liposuction?

The patients underwent liposuction should wear special corsets, which called compression garments, after surgery. These compression garments should be worn for about 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the amount of fatty tissue removed during surgery and patient’s characteristics. Edema and bruising are expected after the procedure and these will fade over time. Plastic surgeons remove the stitches a week after the procedure. Depending on their general condition, patients can return to work and daily life one to three weeks after surgery and can start to workout and exercise after three to four weeks. These patients should exercise regularly and avoid frequent weight loss in their postoperative life to maintain the results of the surgery.

How is the recovery process after liposuction?

The recovery process varies depending on the size of the area where liposuction is performed. You can eat and stand up three hours after surgery. You will usually be discharged from the hospital on the same day. There are small stitches and bands on the incisions sites. For the first 24 hours, a bloody fluid oozes out of the seams. You can take a bath after two days. After a follow-up visit three days later, you can return to work, your daily activities, and driving. At first, there may be numbness in the surgical sites, but it will go away with time. Patients underwent the surgery may need to have some special massages and treatments to tighten their skin. The operated areas will take their final shape at the end of three months.

Frequently asked questions

How much fat can be removed from the body during liposuction?

Plastic surgeons can remove up to 8-10 kg of fatty tissue in a single session. However, they calculate the most accurate amount by considering the patient’s excess fatty tissue. Removing too much fat tissue may lead to increased risks.  The ideal amount of fat to be removed is 6 percent of the patient’s body weight.

How long does a liposuction surgery take?

The surgery takes 1 to 4 hours when it is performed under general anesthesia. Local anesthesia can also be used when the procedure will be applied on a smaller area in the lower parts of the body.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction surgery? 

Plastic surgeons can safely perform liposuction on anyone who does not have systemic diseases. They ask people with conditions such as heart disease, hypertension or diabetes to have some extensive examinations first. They recommend this procedure for people who are close to their ideal weight. Having a firm and elastic skin and not smoking increase the chances of success of the procedure and reduces the risk of complications.

Is liposuction a risky surgery?

The amount of fat that can be safely removed with liposuction surgery is limited. Like any surgery, this surgery may have complications that can even be life-threatening. There are some post-operative risks such as infection, loss of sensation, and scarring, but these are very rare. It would be best for patients to discuss these possibilities with their plastic surgeon who will perform the surgery, get information and decide on the ideal procedure together. The patient’s compliance with the rules of post-operative care will also reduce the risks considerably. To remove too much fat can lead to skin defects such as swelling or crushing.

Such risks are related to the amount of fat removed from the body. Therefore, the procedure must be performed by a surgeon specialized in this field to mitigate such risks.

Is weight loss possible with liposuction?

Liposuction is absolutely not a method for weight loss. It is not a treatment for obesity and it is not used to remove cellulite and stretch marks. It is an alternative that can be a solution to localized fat. Specialized doctors also use this method to treat some diseases.

Can elderly people have liposuction?

Liposuction is suitable for anyone who does not have a systemic disease, is not pregnant, or has not recently given birth. Although age does not pose an obstacle directly for this surgery, the skin loses its elasticity over time. This affects the success of the surgery.

When will the results of a liposuction surgery be seen?

In order to see the final result of liposuction surgery, it is necessary to wait about 6 to 9 months. Surgical scars also fade over time and become barely noticeable.

Is weight gain back after liposuction?

Patients who have liposuction may gain weight again if they do not pay attention to their diet and exercise. Especially frequent weight changes greatly affect the success of the surgery. Even if the operated area is slightly getting fat, there will be no weight gain again.

Is a lot of swelling and edema expected after liposuction?

The areas where fat is removed are filled with blood and fluid for a while. However, this edema begins to go away shortly after the operation. It disappears completely in about 3 months. Therefore, patients cannot see the weight difference and the change in their body immediately after surgery.

Liposuction price 2022, liposuction prices

One of the questions that patients who decide to get liposuction ask on the Internet is “liposuction prices”. Price varies depending on several factors such as the city or region you are in and the hospital where the procedure will be performed. You can get necessary information about liposuction prices from your plastic surgeon. For more detailed information on this subject, please click on the link https://ersoykonas.com/liposuction-and-application-areas/, or contact us by phone at  0 536 511 40 51, or by e-mail at ersoykonas@gmail.com.

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