What is liposuction?
Liposuction can be used to remove fat deposits to improve the contour of the body. This technique is mainly suitable for areas of fat deposits that do not disappear through diets or exercise. This procedure is therefore not recommended as a substitute for weight loss. The doctor will advise and assist you in this. Once certain goals have been achieved, areas of the body where it is difficult to lose fat can be treated with liposuction. We are thinking of areas such as the love handles, abdomen, riding breeches, upper legs, neck and arms. Liposuction allows these areas to be treated without visible scars. After all, very fine cannulas are used via minimal incisions.
This technique is most suitable for patients with good skin elasticity and no excess skin. If there is excess skin, other techniques such as abdominoplasty, arm lift and thigh lift are recommended. Your doctor will discuss with you which is the best solution for you.
Dr. Doornaert is affiliated with the most famous liposuction clinic in the Netherlands, and through his doctorate on fat tissue is always up to date with the latest techniques. The fat tissue obtained can be reused after purification for lipofilling.
Attention: Even after liposuction, exercise and healthy eating remain very important! The fat that has been sucked away can partly return (in a different place) when you gain weight.
How does liposuction work?
- A cannula is inserted through a small prick in the skin.
- First, a fluid is injected. This fluid will loosen the fat cells from the surrounding tissues, allowing the fat to be sucked away more quickly and efficiently. The fluid is left to work for 10 minutes.
- The fat is then sucked away using a narrow cannula. Thanks to our high-quality medical equipment such as the PAL system (Power-Assisted liposuction), the surgeon can suck away the fat volume in a very targeted manner. The PAL system provides an intense vibration, which loosens the fat cells even faster and allows for very precise liposuction.
What aftercare do I need and how long will my recovery take?
- Immediately after the operation, the skin is swollen, discolored and sensitive or even temporarily numb. There may be residual swelling and sometimes a hardening, which only disappears after weeks or sometimes months.
- The first few days, some wound fluid may come out of the incisions. This is normal.
- After liposuction, you will need to wear tights, an elastic bandage or an elastic corset. This is necessary to ensure that the skin adheres well to the underlying layer. You will need to wear this constricting 'undergarment' day and night for about six weeks. If you want to shower or wash or clean wounds, which is permitted after 24 hours, you can of course take off this 'undergarment'.
- After about 2 weeks the stitches are removed.
- Small incisions will heal and fade quickly, until they are almost invisible.
- The final result of liposuction can only be assessed after months, because the swelling must first subside.
- Depending on the area treated, some people can resume their daily activities after a few days, others need weeks to recover. Ask your surgeon for advice.
What are the possible complications?
- Liposuction has the same risks as any other surgery. There is a risk of bleeding or infection, although this is almost never the case.
- Occasionally, not all of the excess fat tissue is removed or too much fat tissue is removed in an area, which can cause 'dimples' or hollows or asymmetry. Then it is necessary to perform additional liposuction or lipofilling.
How much does liposuction cost?
- The cost depends on several factors (the treatment area, the desired result, the amount of fatty tissue to be removed, etc.). We recommend that you schedule an initial consultation with our surgeon to receive a personalized quote. Without consultation, you will not be operated.
- Here you will find one overview of estimated prices for body surgery (e.g. liposuction).