Liposuction

If the skin is able to shrink after liposuction and reform around the reduced body volume, satisfactory results will be obtained. Therefore, patients considering liposuction as the sole reshaping procedure must have good skin quality. Inelastic skin with reduced tone and pronounced stretch marks (striae) will not be able to contract sufficiently. In such cases, we can get a smooth and even surface just by removing the excess skin. We recommend postponing the procedure if further weight loss or pregnancy is planned in the near future.

Minor liposuction procedures, such as chin liposuction, can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. For larger amounts of fat removal, general anesthesia is usually used and patients may need to stay overnight for observation. After the procedure, it is recommended to wear a compression garment to prevent the accumulation of fluids and to form the remaining fatty tissue. This garment should be worn continuously for two weeks, except during showers, which can be taken after two days. Mild discomfort and swelling are expected for a few days after surgery, with bruising usually diminishing within three weeks and most swelling diminishing within a few additional weeks. Patients can usually return to work within a week and resume physical activity within a month. The final result becomes visible after a few months as the tissues are completely resolved.