Liposuction

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is one of the most popular aesthetic operations worldwide, not only in women, but also in men. Modern and advanced medical techniques give us the opportunity to achieve excellent aesthetic results, safely.

Liposuction can achieve the following:

• Excess fatty tissue is removed from specific areas of the body
• Body is refined in specific areas
• Body is sculpted according to patient’s wishes

What are the advantages of Liposuction?

Liposuction is a guaranteed solution for people who would like to get rid of excess fat permanently, to improve their body shape and sculpt their bodies.

Apart from the impressive physical results, liposuction has also many psychological benefits, since:

• you regain your lost self-confidence
• you love your body again
• you feel comfortable with yourself, without being ashamed
• you are renewed, since you are getting rid of extra weight at once
• you enhance your social and sexual life
• you can see in the mirror the same change that you feel deep inside you

In which areas of the body can Liposuction be performed?

Liposuction is the ideal technique to treat stubborn areas of fatty tissue such as:

• Thighs (Inner Thigh Liposuction)
• Buttocks (Buttocks Liposuction)
• Inner surface of the knee
• Calves and/or ankles
• Abdomen and waist
• Upper arm
• Chest area
• Back
• Chin and neck

In addition, liposuction can sometimes be used for breast reduction  or treatment of gynecomastia.

As your body weight increases, fat cells increase in size and volume. What liposuction achieves is to reduce fat cells count in a specific area.

The amount of fat that is removed depends on fat volume. The results are in general permanent, provided that your weight remains stable.

Following liposuction, skin adapts to its new contour. If you have satisfactory skin elasticity, you will have soft skin as an immediate result, whereas if your skin is thin with poor elasticity, it should be treated with more care for an acceptable result.

It’s important to state that liposuction does not improve cellulite or other skin irregularities. Similarly, through liposuction stretch marks are not removed.

A good candidate for a liposuction is someone without medical conditions. Liposuction is contraindicated to patients with the following health issues:

• coronary heart disease
• diabetes
• weakened immune system
• patients receiving anti-coagulant therapy

Who is a good candidate for a Liposuction?

Candidates for a Liposuction are the following:

• people who are not obese
• people with satisfactory skin elasticity and satisfactory muscle tone
• people without medical conditions that may delay recovery
• people with stubborn pockets of fat that cannot be lost with diet and exercice

What is the purpose of Liposuction?

Liposuction is performed in order to improve not only physical appearance, but also particular areas of the body. It’s important to state that liposuction is not a slimming method or a substitute of an appropriate training program.

It’s important to know that large or sudden weight fluctuations post-op, can affect the optimal result.

If you are planning to reduce your weight significantly, it would probably be better to postpone liposuction until the moment you have stabilized your weight.

What you should expect at your first appointment:

At your first appointment you will discuss:

• what is your concern in your physical appearance
• if liposuction is the appropriate treatment for you
• your past medical history, if you are on any medication, vitamins or other herbal supplements
• if you smoke (if the answer is yes, how many cigarettes per day)
• if you have any allergies or any other operations in the past

Afterwards, Dr Karmiris:

• will evaluate your general health condition and any other risk factors
• will examine you and will take all the detailed measurements from stubborn areas of fatty tissue
• will evaluate your skin quality
• will take preoperative photographs
• will discuss with you all the possible surgical options,depending on your case
• will discuss with you all the possible results of the surgical procedure and any risks or potential complications,and finally
• will discuss with you about the anaesthetic plan

Preoperative check:

Before the operation you will undergo a preoperative check.

Dr Karmiris will answer all the questions in relation to the necessary pre-operative check and he will inform you in detail.

The surgical procedure:

Liposuction is performed under general anaesthesia or sedation, depending on the areas that need to be operated as well as the volume of fat that needs to be removed.

During the operation, small incisions of 5mm are made. These small incisions are hidden within the natural creases of the body and become indistinguishable after 6-12 months.

Initially, a diluted solution is injected with local anaesthetic and vasoconstrictor in order to reduce bleeding and minimize post-operative pain.

Then, a special tube (liposuction cannula) is inserted subcutaneously and with controlled movements, excess fatty tissue is removed through vacuum suction.

At the end of the surgical procedure, wounds are closed with a single absorbable suture, if any.

Post-operatively

Immediately after the surgical procedure, you will have medical gauze or bandages on the wounds which will be reduced very shortly. Drains are not used in liposuction.

During your recovery, you will need to wear a post-op compression garment, depending on the area that has been operated. This period refers to the first post-op month, in order to minimize swelling and restore skin elasticity faster.

Patients are discharged on the same day, following the procedure.

Dr Karmiris will give you particular instructions on how to take care of your incisions immediately post-op, what medication you should take and when you will be seen for a follow up.

Risks and safety information:

In general, liposuction is a safe, painless and effective surgical procedure, which is performed with great success.

However, like any other surgical procedure, liposuction has some risks, potential complications and safety data sheet, that every patient should be aware of and fully understand.

The most important potential complications are the following:

• Bleeding or haematoma
• Bruising
• Wound infection
• Fat necrosis
• Poor healing
• Asymmetry or over/under correction
• Hypoesthesia at the incision line, which most of the times is temporal
• General risks from anaesthesia such as deep vein thrombosis, cardiac or pulmonary complications

Dr Karmiris will explain you, in detail, the whole surgical procedure and will answer any questions related to that.

What are the results of liposuction?

After liposuction, you will notice an impressive improvement both in shape and symmetry. You will also notice a noticeable change in the areas you had the problem.

Apart from the improvement of your physical appearance and the achievement of a perfect aesthetic result, it’s important to mention again that liposuction has considerable psychological benefits, improving self-esteem and social confidence.

Which other operations can be combined with liposuction?

Liposuction is used as an adjunct to other surgical procedures. For example, in most cases of tummy tuck, liposuction is suitable for fat deposits around abdomen in order to sculpt the shape of the body.

In addition, it can be combined also with upper arm lift, face lifting, as well as inner thigh lift.

Frequently asked questions about liposuction

What is the cost of liposuction?

The exact cost usually depends on how many areas are treated with liposuction. In case that only one area of the body is treated with liposuction, the cost is lower in comparison to that of treating more than one. However, combination of areas is generally more cost-efficient as a solution than to treat each area individually at different time periods.

What questions should I ask before choosing a Plastic Surgeon?

Decisions about liposuction should not be based exclusively on the price of the operation. A low-cost surgical procedure does not mean that the Plastic Surgeon proceeds to liposuction promptly or in an adequate manner.

Do not hesitate to ask any question you may have about liposuction. In fact, it is patient’s responsibility to ensure that all important questions have been made and answered, before taking the final decisions about liposuction.

Will I experience any pain or discomfort in liposuction post-operatively?

For the first 48 hours you may feel discomfort and/or pain, especially when you are moving. However, this dull ache should be treated effectively with common analgesics such as paracetamol (Depon). The intensity of the pain certainly depends not only on how many areas have been treated but also on each patient’s tolerance to pain.

However, usually after 5-7 days all patients return to their normal activities.

Is it normal to worry pre-operatively?

The answer to this question is “Yes”. Almost everyone has some degree of stress before any surgical procedure, including liposuction. Some people are more stressed than others, but in any case, it is normal to feel anxious or impatient.

Why should I choose Dr Nikos Karmiris?

By choosing Dr Karmiris, you can be sure that you have chosen an experienced Consultant who will listen carefully to your problem. Dr Karmiris will be happy at your first appointment to discuss all your queries and will help you to become the best version of yourself.

Take the first step now to get rid of excess fat easily and without pain, permanently.

For more information regarding the cost of liposuction as well as for a portfolio of before- and- after photos, book today your appointment with Dr Nikos Karmiris.