Frequently asked questions about liposuction

Liposuction, or liposuction, is the most commonly performed body contouring surgery in the world. While the technique is proven, you may have a number of questions that remain and we will answer them below.

How is liposuction performed?

Liposuction is performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the number and volume of the areas to be treated. The surgeon uses a cannula to remove the excess fat by suction. After the procedure, a support garment is put in place.

Where to get liposuction?

Liposuction is performed exclusively in the operating room. You can contact us for more information.

How to pay for liposuction?

Liposuction can be paid in one or more installments without charge by cash, bank transfer or credit card. To learn more about our rates, please visit our dedicated page.

When to have liposuction?

You can resort to liposuction when you have localized or diffuse fatty deposits, in case of failure or unwillingness to diet.

Why have liposuction?

Liposuction is the only real method of fat removal. It is a very reliable and effective technique that allows you to reshape your figure in an efficient way and to lose one or two pant sizes.

What is the price of liposuction?

It varies from 3000€ to 6500€ depending on the number of areas to be treated and the quantity of fat to be removed. To learn more about our rates, please visit our dedicated page.

Which anesthesia for liposuction?

Liposuction is performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the number and size of the areas to be treated. To learn more about the types of anesthesia used, see our page on liposuction.

How to prepare for liposuction?

It is important to stabilize one's weight before any liposuction and to avoid excess weight in the days preceding the procedure. Finally, taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs is formally contraindicated in the 10 days preceding the procedure.

How to recover from liposuction?

It is important to rest in the days following the operation. Nevertheless, a quick return to walking is recommended in order to avoid thrombo-embolic complications such as phlebitis. Finally, to improve skin retraction and to reduce postoperative oedemas, palpate and roll sessions or lymphatic drainage may be necessary.

How to wash after liposuction?

Showers are allowed from the day after the operation. It is sometimes preferable to wash with your panty the first two days when the risk of edema is important. The use of mild, superfatted soaps is recommended. Finally, baths are allowed from 1 month onwards.

What are the risks of liposuction?

After liposuction, swelling and bruising are quite common. Healing or sensitivity problems may also occur, but these tend to disappear spontaneously. Thrombo-embolic disorders such as phlebitis and pulmonary embolism are rare but serious complications that can be prevented by taking anticoagulants, wearing compression stockings and quickly resuming walking.
Anemia may occur after the operation and require iron supplementation. Rare cases of infection have been reported and justify the use of antibiotics. Finally, deep organ lesions are exceptional.

What are the benefits of liposuction?

Liposuction is a fast and effective method of treating localized or diffuse excess fat.
It allows to reshape the silhouette.

How is chin liposuction performed?

Liposuction of the chin is most often performed under local anesthesia. An incision of 0.5 cm under the chin is made to infiltrate the area to be treated, then the cannula is introduced and the fat is suctioned out. The incision is then closed by a single stitch which will be removed after one week.
It is recommended to place ice packs on the treated area in the following days to prevent the appearance of edema.

How is hip liposuction performed?

This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. The patient is positioned on his/her stomach. Two 0.5 cm incisions are made at the level of the hips or the lower back in the area hidden by the panties. They allow the infiltration of the area to be treated and then the introduction of the cannula and the suction of the fat. The incision is then closed with a single stitch. Once the procedure is completed, a compression garment is put in place and the patient is awakened.

Why wear a panty after liposuction?

This limits postoperative swelling and allows the skin to reattach itself in the right position.

What areas are treated by liposuction?

Several areas can be treated by liposuction in isolation or in combination:

  • the chin
  • the arms
  • the chest
  • the belly
  • the hips
  • the sub-gluteal region
  • thighs
  • the knees
  • the calves
  • ankles

How does the skin react after liposuction?

In the immediate aftermath of a liposuction, an edema appears which will gradually disappear. The skin will then begin to retract. At one month post-op, this retraction is already noticeable but it will continue for 6 months to a year, improving the result. However, beware of poor quality and/or mature skin whose retraction capacity is often insufficient.

How to maintain your post liposuction figure?

A healthy lifestyle is recommended. A balanced diet is necessary but a low-calorie diet is not necessary. Regular practice of sports is recommended.

What is the difference between liposuction and cryolipolysis?

Liposuction is a technique that allows a mechanical removal of excess fat by suction. It takes place in the operating room under local or general anesthesia. It is a very effective technique with the advantage of being able to treat small or large surfaces. Cryolipolysis is a technique for destroying fat by subjecting adipocytes (fat cells) to a negative temperature of about -8°C. The treated cells go into cell death and are naturally eliminated by the body in an average of 3 months. This is intended for small localized fatty clusters. This technique is performed in the office.

What are the different liposuction techniques?

A distinction is made between liposuction under local anesthesia, formerly called soft liposuction, and classic liposuction under general anesthesia. Depending on the number of areas to be treated and the amount of fat to be removed, one or the other technique is preferred.
On the other hand, the size of the suction cannula can also differ from one procedure to another. The larger the cannula, the greater the quantity of fat that can be removed per pass, but the less regular the result. In principle, fine cannulas should always be preferred in order to avoid the "wave effect" on the skin.

How to get thinner thighs with liposuction?

To refine a thigh, it is generally necessary to perform a circular liposuction that includes the outer side of the thigh or saddlebags, its inner side, its front side and its back side with the area of the buttocks. In order to perfect the result, an associated liposuction of the inner side of the knee is sometimes recommended.

What are the different types of liposuction and for which patient?

There are :

  • Liposuction under local anesthesia, formerly called gentle liposuction, which concerns patients with small excess fat. It is most often limited to a single area (e.g. chin).

  • Classical liposuction under general anesthesia which concerns all types of patients. It has the advantage of being able to treat large areas and to redefine a silhouette globally.

Have a question? Please contact us!

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Docteur Yaël Berdah and Docteur Marc-David Benjoar
Plastic surgeons in Paris France

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