Liposuction - Myths and Facts
WHAT IT IS LIPOSUCTION?
Liposuction, also known as liposculpture, lipoplasty, lipectomy or simply lipo, is a surgical technique to remove unwanted fat deposits in specific areas of the body, athe face, neck, upper limbs, trunk, abdomen, buttocks, hips and lower limbs.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR LIPOSUCTION?
The best candidates for liposuction generally have the following characteristics:
- Healthy and stable weight;
- Fat deposits in specific areas of the body;
- Firm skin and with good elasticity;
- Overall Healthy;
- Realistic expectations.
IN WHICH AREAS OF THE BODY
CAN LIPOSUCTION BE PERFORMED?
Liposuction can be performed in any area where there is localized fat that bothers you. The most common areas are:
- Abdomen
- Flanks
- Back
- Hips and buttocks
- Inner thigh
- Arms and “bra fat”;
- Pubic mound (“mons Venus”)
- “Banana rolls” (fat located at the bottom of the buttocks)
- “Jowls”
- Male breast (gynecomastia)
OTHER LIPOSUCTION INDICATIONS
Liposuction is usually performed for aesthetic reasons, but it can also be performed to treat some conditions:
Lipedema
Hereditary chronic dysfunction, characterized by an increase in adipose tissue, usually affecting legs and arms.
Liposuction can be performed to reduce swelling, discomfort and pain.
Gynecomastia
Condition that affects men, consisting in either unilateral or bilateral excess of skin, fat and mammary gland.
Isolated liposuction is performed when the increase in breast volume is due to the accumulation of fat.
Lipodystrophy
Abnormal distribution of body fat, causing asymmetries and disproportions.
Liposuction can improve body appearance, creating a better distribution of fat.
Lipoma
Benign skin tumor composed of fat cells. Liposuction is a treatment option for some cases.
WHAT CAN’T LIPOSUCTION TREAT?
Flaccidity
Flaccid and sagging skin will not adapt to new contour and, therefore, additional surgical techniques may be necessary to remove excess skin.
Irregularities
When the contour irregularities are caused by structures other than fat, they cannot be corrected by this technique.
Cellulite
Liposuction does not improve the skin dimpling, it only treats areas of localized fat.
Overweight
Liposuction is not a weight loss treatment. Overweight patients are not indicated for surgery.
PROCEDURE
Liposuction
Medical consultation: the first step of your liposuction medical appointment is a detailed assessment of the area you want to treat, your overall health condition and your lifestyle. This will allow us to design a fully customized plan for your case;
Simulation with Vectra 3D: in some cases, Vectra 3D XT enables a simulation of what can be achieved with liposuction;
Detailed explanation: during the liposuction medical appointment, a personalized treatment plan will be presented and the risks of the surgery, the pre and postoperative care and the results you can expect will be explained to you;
Quote: after the medical appointment, you will be presented with an exact price for your liposuction. This price will depend on the areas to be treated, the amount of fat to be removed, and whether or not the surgery is combined with other procedures.
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TYPE OF ANESTHESIA
Liposuction can be performed with local anesthesia, local anesthesia and sedation, general anesthesia or epidural, depending on the areas to be treated, the combination of procedures, the characteristics of the patient and what the Anesthesiologist decides is safer.
LIPOSUCTION SCARS
One of the issues that concerns patients who wish to undergo surgery the most is how the scars will look. Liposuction scars are tiny and discreet (about 3mm) and are usually hidden in the natural folds of the body.
MYTHS AND FACTS
ABOUT LIPOSUCTION
Myth: liposuction gets you thinner;
Fact: liposuction is not a weight loss method. People with an indication for surgery should have a stable weight and some localized fat they want to remove.
Myth: liposuction treats cellulite;
Fact: liposuction does not treat cellulite.
Myth: after liposuction you don’t gain fat again;
Fact: to maintain an excellent result after liposuction, it is essential to keep a stable weight. If you gain weight, you will gain fat again, although its distribution will happen differently.
Myth: all clinics can perform the intervention, even in a consultation room;
Fact: liposuction should be performed only by duly qualified plastic surgeons, easily identified in listings by the Portuguese Medical Association or at the Portuguese Society of Plastic Surgery. The procedure must be performed in properly certified clinics with the necessary safety conditions and never in consultation rooms.
Myth: it is a very dangerous surgery.
Fact: it is a dangerous surgery if it is not performed by a plastic surgeon or if it is performed in precarious conditions. The vast majority of fatal cases heard in the media occurred in the hands of doctors without any type of skills to perform the surgery and in clinics with no safety conditions.
Myth: it can replace physical exercise.
Fact: although similar to physical exercise in terms of reducing adipose tissue, it does not compare to physical exercise on its benefits, especially in improving the cardiovascular profile.
Myth: Laser lipo, Vibration Lipo, Ultrasonic Lipo are much better than traditional liposuction.
Fact: scientific studies published by specialized magazines have shown that the results of traditional liposuction are very similar to those of other liposuction techniques. What impacts the results the most is not the device used, but the plastic surgeon performing the intervention. A careful plastic surgeon, experienced with the procedure’s limitations, and knowledgeable about the adequate cannulas for each specific body area is undoubtedly what makes the difference between a good and a bad result. Different devices are available to plastic surgeons in well-equipped clinics, and in many cases they optimize the surgical time, but they do not imply different results. The usage of different terms in association with liposuction is more of a marketing matter rather than corresponding to relevant differences. In the same way that terms like water lipo, mini lipo, SAFE lipo, etc., refer to basic techniques known to all plastic surgeons, being used mostly for advertising the technique.
Myth: liposculpture is not liposuction.
Fact: liposculpture is yet another marketing term created to refer to liposuction in which the person’s own fat is injected it in a different area where there is a deficiency (e.g. creases, loss of volume, etc.). Although the term liposculpture has some charisma as it relates to art, it is still just a liposuction technique.
Myth: liposuction is only for women.
Fact: liposuction is performed on both men and women, with excellent results in both cases, as long as patients have a clear indication for the procedure.
LIPOSUCTION SURGERY
STEP-BY-STEP
MARKING THE PATIENT WHILE STANDING
Liposuction markings are made with the patient standing, before being anesthetized, so that the areas of the body to be treated can be correctly visualized.
SEDATION
Sedation is administered by the Anesthesiologist. Local anesthetics are then injected into the area to be treated when the patient is asleep.
DISINFECTION AND DELIMITATION OF OPERATING FIELDS
The area to be treated is disinfected to reduce the risk of infection. Operative fields are then placed to isolate this area from the external environment.
INCISIONS
Small incisions are made to accommodate the insertion of the liposuction cannulas.
FAT SUCTION
The cannula is inserted in the area to be treated. This cannula is connected to a vacuum suction device that aspirates adipose tissue.
INCISIONS CLOSING
The incisions are closed with small stitches, which are usually removed after a week. Drains are placed whenever necessary to avoid the accumulation of fluids and to minimize the risk of infection.
POST-ANESTHESIA CARE
Before being transported to recovery, the patient is dressed with an abdominal binder which must be worn for 30 to 45 days. The binder will apply pressure to the tissues, providing a more comfortable recovery. The patient is awakened by the anesthesiologist and is then transported to the recovery room where he/she remains under medical observation before being discharged.
PREPARATION FOR LIPOSUCTION
Before surgery
- Perform all preoperative exams requested by the medical team and send them as early as possible.
- Do not smoke the month before and the month following the surgery. Smokers have a higher risk of complications, including healing difficulty.
- Do not take aspirin, weight loss pills or any pills containing acetylsalicylic acid 10 days prior to the surgery. On the day of the medical appointment, you must inform the medical team of any medication she is on, and any medical condition you suffer from.
- Carefully read the documentation that was provided to you before the surgery as questions may arise.
- If you get a cold or feel ill in any way in the days prior to the surgery, the medical team should immediately be informed.
- Organize family and social life in advance. You should have help at home; especially if you have small children.
- If you have any doubts regarding the preparation or post-operative care of the liposuction, do not wait for the day of surgery; ask all your questions beforehand.
Surgery day
- Do not eat or drink (not even water) after midnight, the day before surgery.
- Eat light meals the day before surgery to avoid indigestion.
- Shower with the prescribed antiseptic shower gel the day before and the day of surgery.
- Wear large, easy-to-wear clothes.
- Do not wear perfumes, creams or make-up.
- Do not wear any accessories like earrings, bracelets, piercings, etc.
- Do not wear contact lenses.
- Remove any type of nail varnishes, as these can interfere with vital signs measurements.
- After discharge, you can neither drive nor go home unaccompanied. You must have someone to pick you up. You should also be permanently accompanied during the first 48 hours.
- All social and professional activities must be programmed in order to guarantee complete rest in the days following the surgery.
Postoperative Care
- The recovery period will depend on the extent/combination of procedures, but also on the individual characteristics of each patient.
- You may experience discomfort or moderate pain. Resting and taking the prescribed medication will help relieving these symptoms.
- Take short walks to promote circulation.
- Avoid any kind of physical effort in the first 8 days.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid baths and hot environments in general.
- Do not get direct sun exposure.
- Use the compression garment 24 hours a day for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Start lymphatic drainage massages 3 to 5 days after surgery.
- Do not smoke during the month following the surgery.
- Do not perform physical exercise before medical approval.
- Use compression stockings until otherwise indicated by the medical team.
BENEFITS OF LIPOSUCTION
Better body contouring: liposuction improves body contour and proportion. By eliminating localized fat in problematic areas such as the abdomen, flanks, back, legs, arms, “jowls” and others, you will achieve a more attractive and rejuvenated body appearance;
Improved self-esteem: patients who underwent liposuction and who currently feel satisfied and comfortable with their body, report a significant improvement in their self-esteem. They also mention an increase in the energy level and enthusiasm in their daily lives;
Visible and long-lasting results: a balanced diet and physical exercise are not always enough to eliminate “stubborn” fat. Liposuction eliminates “resistant” fat deposits and, when combined with a healthy lifestyle, promises long-lasting results.
Specialist Doctors
About
Dr. Alice Varanda Pereira / Plastic Surgery
Member of The Portuguese Medical Association, Nr. 47051
Graduated by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, she completed her master’s degree in human sexuality and is currently developing her PhD at this same institution.
She joined the University faculty academic staff in 2008 as a lecturer of the Institute of Anatomy. It is in this unit that she produces most of her research projects, mainly in the area of surgical anatomy, whilst also supervising master’s thesis for undergraduate students.
About
Dr. Mariana da Rocha Martins / Plastic Surgery
Member of The Portuguese Medical Association – Nr. 55124
Graduated by the Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Porto and specialized in reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery at Hospital de São José, in Lisbon.
Throughout her specific training in plastic surgery, she worked in internationally renowned institutions such as Institut Kaplan (Barcelona), La Clinic (Montreux) and Great Ormond Street Hospital (London).
About
Dr. Marta Gouveia Duarte / Plastic Surgery
Member of The Portuguese Medical Association, Nº 57817
Graduated in Medicine from the School of Health Sciences of the University of Minho, where she completed her Master’s thesis in Human Aging.
She concluded her specialty in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery at the Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central – Hospital de São José.
Collaborates in several research projects at NOVA Medical School.
About
Dr. Filipa Oliveira/ Plastic Surgery
PORTUGUESE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: registration Nº. 59147, specialist in Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Graduated in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, where she completed her Master’s thesis on pediatric scars.
PhD in Medicine from the University of Münster in Germany.
After completing her specialty, she became a Senior Graduate Assistant (Oberärztin) at the Fachklinik Hornheide and the University of Münster. She is currently involved in various research projects at the University of Münster, where she is supervising doctoral students. She is also a regular correspondent for scientific and leisure magazines in Germany.
FAQ about
Liposuction / Liposculpture
IS LIPOSUCTION A SAFE SURGERY?
Any surgery has potential risks and complications. Liposuction is a safe surgery as long as it is performed in an accredited clinic, by a plastic surgeon with extensive experience in liposuction and body contouring surgery. It is equally important to perform all the prescribed preoperative exams and to dutifully comply with the needed pre and postoperative care. In your medical appointment, all risks and complications will be explained in detail.
HOW MUCH DOES A LIPOSUCTION COST IN LISBON?
The price is different for every patient and depends on several factors:
- Complexity of the surgery;
- Combination of procedures;
- Number of areas to be treated;
- Amount of fat to be removed.
The exact price for your liposuction will be shared with you during your medical appointment, after the diagnostic.
HOW MANY AREAS CAN BE TREATED AT THE SAME TIME?
Usually, three to four zones can be treated in a single surgical procedure. However, there is both a limit to the amount of fat that can be removed from one’s body and a surgical time limit for the procedure to be safe for the patient. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform a second intervention.
CAN I COMBINE LIPOSUCTION WITH OTHER PROCEDURES?
Liposuction can be performed alone or in combination with other procedures. The procedures most often combined with liposuction are abdominoplasty and buttock augmentation / reshaping.
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FAT THAT CAN BE REMOVED WITH A LIPOSUCTION?
The maximum amount of fat that can safely be removed is about 5 liters. But more important than the amount of fat, is the number of areas that can safely be treated.
WHAT ARE SOME OF LIPOSUCTION LIMITATIONS?
Liposuction is not a weight loss method and will not provide good results in patients who are overweight or have sagging skin. The best results with liposuction are achieved in patients with good muscle tone, with good elasticity and without excessive fat deposits. When the skin is flaccid, additional procedures may be necessary to achieve good results (e.g. abdominoplasty, thigh lift, arm lift, etc.).
AT WHAT AGE CAN I HAVE A LIPOSUCTION?
Technically, liposuction can be performed by any patient who has an indication for surgery, is mature, has realistic expectations, and an overall good health condition. One of the most important aspects to consider is the skin’s elasticity, which deteriorates with advancing age. In these cases, alternative procedures may be recommended.
SHOULD LIPOSUCTION BE PERFORMED BEFORE OR AFTER GIVING BIRTH?
Because liposuction is more suitable for a skin with good elasticity, it may be better to perform surgery before pregnancy. However, if you are thinking about having children in the short term, it might be more prudent to wait and reassess the state of your body after becoming a mother. Each case is different and our medical team will advise you on the treatment that best suits your needs.
Does liposuction cause flaccidity?
Liposuction does not cause flaccidity. When surgery is performed on patients with firm and elastic skin, the tissues are able to readapt to the new body contour. When the skin is flaccid already, eliminating fat may accentuated that flaccidity, as the skin has no retraction capacity.
I AM GOING THROUGH A WEIGHT LOSS PROCESS. CAN I DO THE SURGERY NOW?
If you are in the process of losing weight, it is advisable to wait until you reach your goal. Only then will it be possible to assess the real condition of body and skin, and decide which procedures will be more appropriate.
IS THE LIPOSUCTION RESULT DEFINITIVE?
No surgery guarantees lifetime results. The liposuction success and the long-term condition of your body will depend on the care you have with it – your lifestyle after surgery. A balanced diet and regular exercise is recommended.
Are the liposuction results visible immediately after the surgery?
Soon after the surgery, you may notice some differences. However, postoperative edema distorts the outcome of the surgery. After a month you can already see significant changes, but the end result is only to be expected six to twelve months after the surgery.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS OF LIPOSUCTION?
Liposuction is a safe surgery. However, like any surgical procedure, it is not without risks and complications. The most common complications of liposuction are: infection, prolonged or unsightly scarring, changes in skin sensitivity, irregularities in the contour, asymmetry, etc. Our medical team will work hard for the best possible outcome, and if you consider that the risk of complications for your specific case is too high, they will advise you on other treatment options.
IS THE POST-OPERATIVE PAINFUL?
Postoperative discomfort depends on the extent of the liposuction and combination of procedures. It is expected that you will experience discomfort and moderate pain in the days following surgery, but these are easily relieved with prescribed painkillers.
ARE DRAINS USED?
Drains are used whenever necessary after liposuction to avoid the accumulation of fluids and reduce the risk of complications.
WHEN CAN I RETURN TO WORK AND PRACTISE SPORT?
Depending on the extent of the liposuction, you can return to work 3 to 7 days after the surgery (for sedentary professions). It is important to understand that each case is unique and recovery speed is different in different patients. Activities that involve physical effort, namely sport, can only be resumed one month after the procedure, and this must be done gradually.
WHEN CAN I TRAVEL?
You will be able to travel 3 to 7 days after the procedure, if recovery is going as expected. If you live abroad and want to perform your liposuction in Portugal, it is important to stay as long as necessary for a proper recovery before returning to your country of residence. We have a specialized team that will give you all the necessary support to safely perform your surgery in Portugal.
