Physical activity and a healthy diet are the basic requirements for a sporty figure and the related fitness. Unfortunately, there are fat deposits that just refuse to go away. Particularly for patients who have already lost much weight, it can be frustrating when they cannot obtain the desired appearance. Liposuction can help when it comes to reducing fat deposits in certain body regions. At the same time, it is important to emphasise that liposuction is not meant to treat obesity in general. The extent of suction is limited by the loss of blood components and other body fluids.
The procedure of liposuction
In this treatment, excess fat is suctioned to reduce the thickness of the fatty layer under the skin. Most commonly, women opt for liposuction on the abdomen, the thighs or the hips. Even liposuction on the chin or the back is possible. The areas to be treated are clarified in detail beforehand and marked directly on the skin right before surgery. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The areas of the body previously marked are injected with a preparation that numbs the skin and also prepares the fat cells for suction. The necessary incisions in the skin are no longer than 5 millimetres and are made in inconspicuous places, e.g. skinfolds, or in places that will later be covered with clothes. For liposuction, a thin suction tube is inserted into the fatty tissue, with which the prepared fat can be removed over a vacuum pump.
To prevent swelling and pain, the patient must wear a tight bandage or tight compression garment after surgery for four to six weeks.
Liposuction for men
The procedure is identical for women and men but the preferred regions slightly differ depending on gender. Common interventions for men are therefore liposuction surgeries on the chest, abdomen and hips. In this case, please note that the typical „beer belly“ cannot be removed by liposuction as that fat is located beneath the abdominal muscles and can only be reduced by sports and a healthy diet.
| Type of intervention | General anaesthesia, outpatient or 1 day |
|---|---|
| Duration of the procedure | Depending on the extent of the treatment |
| Recovery time | 2 to 3 weeks |