Liposuction

Liposuction provides a quick effective solution by permanently reducing the numbers of fat cells in specific areas of the body.

Liposuction body contouring

Dr Filipe will slim, tone, and contour your body to create balance and proportion that enhances your natural beauty.

Many people who are overweight or have excess fat in some areas of their body look for a quick and effective way of getting rid of it. You can try different diets and exercise plans, but there are also surgical methods to consider. One of them is liposuction. To help you decide whether this method is for you, we are going to present you with the basics of ‘lipo,’ as it is often called by patients, and explain what you can expect from it.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is an invasive surgical procedure which is performed to remove excess fat, and shape and contour the body. It is performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient, and during the procedure, the doctor will suck fat out of small areas which are difficult to target with diet or exercise. This type of procedure is used for cosmetic purposes on stubborn fat which remains after dieting and exercise. Liposuction is also used in the treatment of certain medical conditions. Liposuction is in top 5 cosmetic surgery procedures conducted.

How is liposuction performed?

There are several steps involved in this procedure. After you get the anesthetic determined by your doctor, a solution will be injected in the targeted area. This solution can contain the anesthetic or medication which will prevent swelling and bruising. The next step is conducted by using high-frequency vibrations, whereby the doctor treats the targeted area with the frequency to break up the fats cells. Other methods can be used for this part, such as a high-pressure water jet or a weak laser pulse.
After the cells are broken up, the doctor makes a small cut on the area and inserts a suction tube. This tube sucks the fat out with the help of a vacuum machine. To facilitate this process, the doctor moves the suction tube back and forth to extract as many fat cells as possible.
Finally, the excess fluid and blood are drained, and the doctor stitches up the incisions and finishes the procedure. The whole process can last several hours, and usually, the patients stay in the hospital for at least one night for observation.

What parts of the body can be treated with liposuction?

Starting from the top, liposuction can be performed on the cheeks, chin and neck area, then on upper arms and chest area, and also on the abdomen and waist area. You can also treat back, hips and buttocks, thighs, inner knee, calves, and ankles. All of these areas can be shaped by liposuction, but you should not expect to lose cellulite if you treat your legs with liposuction. If you have a cellulite issue, please consult Dr Filipe to determine the effectiveness of liposuction in your case. What is also important to note is that the best “treatment” for excess fat are diet and exercise and that a surgical method such as liposuction should be the last resort.

Am I a good candidate for liposuction?

Besides treating obesity or excess fat with diet and exercise first, there are some other conditions you should fulfill to be a good liposuction candidate. You should be within 30% of the ideal weight for your body type, and you should also have elastic, firm skin and preferably be a non-smoker.

According to an article on liposuction published in the Indian journal of plastic surgery, liposuction has successfully been performed on patients from 14 to 67 years old, that differ in weight from 45kg to 178kg. This shows that almost everyone can be a candidate for liposuction, but it is best to consult Dr Filipe to determine your individual effectiveness.

Is liposuction dangerous?

As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks when it comes to liposuction. The common side effects patients experience are: swelling, bruising, scaring and inflammation.

Other less common side-effects or risks involved are lumps and unevenness, bleeding under the skin, numbness in the treated area even after eight weeks, pulmonary edema or embolism, i.e., build up fluid in the lungs or a blood clot. Finally, the biggest risks are potential damage to the internal organs, which can happen during the procedure or infection.

In most cases, these side effects are minimal, but it is important to be aware that there are potential side effects, even though the chances are very small.

So, are you a good Liposuction candidate?

As you can see, liposuction is not a simple, non-invasive cosmetic procedure. You should carefully consider every aspect of it since this is a serious surgical procedure, which carries a certain degree of risk with it. It can be used both for cosmetic and health purposes, but the best way to find out whether you are a good candidate for this procedure is to consult Dr Filipe.

More information on Liposuction for women and | Liposuction for men