Liposuction

Liposuction, also known as liposculpture, is the gold standard in the treatment of unwanted fat deposits. These are often hormonally determined and not significantly affected by diet or exercise.

For example, unwanted fat deposits in women are often located on the thighs, hips ('saddlebags'), buttocks, knees, upper arms or abdomen. In men, fat distribution is more centred around the abdomen, chest (pseudogynaecomastia) or chin.

Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery and has little to no effect on cellulite. Due to technological advancements, liposuction performed by an accredited plastic surgeon is a safe operation with remarkable results and nearly invisible scarring.

• If you have localised fat deposits that you can't get rid of with diet or exercise and your skin still has good elasticity, liposuction could be a good solution.

• If the skin’s elasticity has disappeared (e.g. after pregnancy or severe weight loss), liposculpture will not be the appropriate procedure for you. However, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift or body lift.

Liposuction is usually performed under general anaesthesia. Only very limited fat deposits can be treated under local anaesthesia. The duration of the procedure depends on the size and number of fat deposits you wish to have treated.

First, the surgical area is infiltrated with a large amount of fluid (tumescent technique). This fluid allows the fat to be removed with minimal blood loss and protects delicate structures such as nerves and blood vessels. Then, the fat is removed through incisions of a few millimetres using specialised suction cannulas.

Moreover, by using the 'WAL' (Waterjet Assisted Lipoplasty) technique, fat cells are loosened with a fine jet of water so that they are more easily removed, which aids the healing process. Fat extracted via this technique can also be reused afterwards to augment other regions (e.g. the buttocks or breasts). This technique is called ‘lipofilling’.

In liposculpture, the plastic surgeon can 'sculpt' the body, as it were, by removing certain fat deposits and filling in other areas of the body. After surgery, special pressure garments (pressure corset or tights) are put on the patient. Liposuction is done on an outpatient basis (day hospital).

Patients should take two weeks of rest after this procedure. The blue discolouration disappears after two to three weeks. Certain areas may feel numb for several months. The compression tights should be worn for about 6 weeks (day and night for four weeks, then during the day for two weeks). Post-operative follow-up consults are standardly scheduled for 1 week, 6 weeks and 3-6 months. The pain is well tolerated with classic post-operative analgesics. The final result is visible only after three to four months. If the elasticity of the skin is not sufficient, it may be possible to improve it with an additional radio frequency skin treatment.

Post-operative bleeding and infection are very rare complications of liposuction.

Thromboembolic phenomena (clot in the calf veins, fat embolism or lung embolism) is avoided by the tumescent technique, possible administration of a blood thinner before and after the procedure in high-risk patients and wearing special compression stockings during the procedure. Stopping smoking can also reduce the risk of these complications.

Liposuction is considered a purely aesthetic procedure and is not eligible for reimbursement by health insurers.

Latest publication date: 13/08/2024
Supervising author: Dr Vertriest Rudolf