Body Contouring

Liposuction surgery makes it possible to eliminate excess fat deposits which cannot be burnt by diet and exercise. Areas such as hip, thigh, calf, waist, ankle, knee, arm, back, neck, and similar areas are suitable for this surgery. However, liposuction is not a weight loss surgery. On the contrary, patients with suitable weight who have regional fat are ideal for this operation. Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body to improve body contour and proportion. It may also be combined with other applications to help achieve desired results.

 

What is Liposuction and How is it Done?

Liposuction is the operation of reducing fat by subcutaneously entering the skin with a special thin hollow tube, called a cannula. The cannula is inserted through a few incisions to loosen excess fat, using a controlled back and forth motion. Since only a few 4-5 mm incisions are made for cannula insertion, this surgery can be considered as a no scar surgery. Depending on the condition of the patient and the number of areas to be treated, surgery may be performed under local or general anesthesia.

Liposuction can generally be classified as a dry technique, wet technique, super-wet technique, and tumescent technique. Today, liposuction is often done with superwet and tumescent techniques. These techniques involve injection of liquids and medicines under the skin to prevent bleeding and pain and to efficiently remove fat cells.

 

VASER Liposuction

It is now possible to benefit from new technologies for higher volume and easier and less traumatic elimination of fat from body. The VASER device “selectively” breaks down fat cells by sending ultrasonic frequency waves. Fat can be eliminated with less bleeding and less edema since this technology does not damage nerves and vessels in the fat tissue. I often employ the VASER Liposuction technique for Hi-Def body sculpting. This technique results in an ideal body shape for patients with a good muscle shape but slight persistent fat deposits. By transferring fat into the muscle, we enlarge shoulders (deltoid muscle) and the pectoral muscles and make the adonis more apparent, resulting in a “six-pack” appearance.

I mostly prefer VASER assisted tumescent liposuction method in the back, waist, and belly region, as a part of body contouring surgeries. It is important to note that liposuction and body shaping involve the art of hand. No device can directly affect the end result, but it can assist by making the surgeon’s job easier. The most important factor affecting the result of surgery is the surgeon himself.

 

Laser Liposuction (Smart Lipo)

Laser is another technology that facilitates excess fat removal in liposuction. In laser liposuction, fat tissue is broken down with the help of laser beams before surgery (laser lipolysis) and followed by removal with liposuction techniques. It is also possible to tighten the skin with laser liposuction.

 

Which Patients are Good Candidates for Liposuction?

Liposuction surgery is not suitable for overweight (obese and morbidly obese) patients. Many patients perceive liposuction surgery as a method of weight loss. Liposuction is not a method of weight loss as it can only be applied to subcutaneous fat tissue and cannot be used for intra-abdominal fat. Hence, liposuction is suitable only for regional fat deposits in normal to mildly overweight patients. In my general practice, I prescribe a diet for patients with BMI higher than 30, and perform liposuction surgery after BMI falls below 30.

 

Liposuction Recovery Period

There is usually little pain following a liposuction surgery. Depending on the condition, slight bruising may occur, which disappears completely within 1-2 weeks. A slight edema occurs after the liposuction operation and begins to disappear in 15-20 days. The body begins to assume its shape after 1 month and takes its final shape within 3-6 months.

 

Liposuction Prices

The cost of liposuction depends on factors such as the amount of fat to be removed, the number of areas, the duration of the operation, assistive techniques and devices (VASER / LASER), difficulty of the operation, and the choice of hospital. Physical examination is required for a correct price evaluation.