Liposuction corrects areas of fat deposits that are out of proportion with the rest of the body and that cannot be shifted with diet or exercise alone.
Liposuction might be considered to treat areas of excess fat in the
- stomach,
- buttocks,
- hips,
- flanks (love handles, saddlebags),
- thighs,
- calves,
- ankles,
- breasts,
- back,
- arms,
- neck/chin,
- gynecomastia (male breast reduction).
Liposuction is equally effective in men and women. For optimum results, good skin elasticity is necessary because liposuction removes fat, causing laxity in the skin and increasing the appearance of skin sagginess.
Liposuction usually improves contours. Because the healing process is gradual, one should expect to wait at least several months for accurate results of the surgery. The small incision scars will fade over a number of months, usually becoming barely visible. The basic technique of liposuction involves the removal of fat via a hollow metal tube (cannula) that is passed through the fatty tissue. One of the most common types of liposuction involves the aspiration of fat by attaching a pump that generates a vacuum.
The incisions are closed with self-dissolving sutures, and scars will only be a few millimeters and, in time, will become almost invisible. We have variety of methods used for this purpose from the manual syringe technique to traditional machine liposuction and power-assisted liposuction machine.
The method is used to reduce localized fat in areas in which diet and exercise alone do not solve the problem. Areas such as the chin, outside thighs, flanks (love handles), abdomen, inner thighs, calves, knees, and breasts in both men and women can be successfully treated by this method. This is not a weight-reduction method but a correction to these areas.
The usual areas on which liposuction are performed include the following:
A. Chin: Liposuction in this area achieves high levels of satisfaction from patients who have chosen it as a treatment for this problem. Provided skin elasticity is good, this procedure results in an appealing jaw profile. However, with an older patient, it might be necessary to combine liposuction and lift to the skin on the neck/throat or a possible facelift to achieve the optimal result.
B. Male breast (gynaecomastia): Men’s breasts consist of fat and a mammary gland. If the gland tissue constitutes the greater part of the breast, it might be necessary to combine the removal of the glands with liposuction. This will be done via a small incision on the nipple edge; the resultant scar will be almost invisible.
C. Female breast: Liposuction of a woman’s breast is unusual but can be combined with breast reduction to even the contour of the breast with surrounding tissue.
D. Abdomen: The tummy area responds extremely well to liposuction, and this is a common procedure on this particular body part. The tissue and muscles are tighter in the tummy region than anywhere else. The skin usually retracts very nicely even when the skin initially looks a little loose. In consultation with your surgeon, we will evaluate very carefully whether we need to combine the liposuction treatment with a tummy tuck to achieve the optimal result. This can be done at the same time or as a separate procedure after liposuction.
E. Hips: The hip area is also suitable for liposuction because the skin here is almost always fairly elastic. Too much skin here will also reduce the effectiveness of the procedure. Often, combination treatment of the abdomen and the hips achieves the best result.
F. Saddlebags (outer thighs): This is the name given pockets of fat that linger on the outside of the thighs. This area is suited to liposuction, and the skin contracts very quickly.
G. Inner thighs: “Chafing” can be an issue in this area in which pockets of fat gather on the inner thighs. The skin here is much thinner and cannot always contract. Patients with good skin elasticity can generally achieve good results with use of gentle liposuction techniques. The inside of the knee is a common problem area. This area is suited to liposuction; however, it is necessary to be careful of the amount of fat removed.
I. Legs: The legs are suitable for liposuction where there is excessive fat.
Pre-Operation considerations:
To get optimal results and avoid complications
Avoid stress, stay out of the sun, eat healthily, keep your weight within a normal BMI range, exercise regularly, and refrain from alcohol for 2 days prior to surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. Please refrain from smoking for at least 1 week before surgery and a minimum of 2 weeks after surgery as smoking can interfere with the final result.
Downtime following surgery
Heavy physical exercise and strenuous body movement or lifting must not be undertaken for a minimum of 2 weeks following the surgery.
You can still move and do normal everyday things the day after surgery.
The final results will emerge between 3 to 6 months following surgery. There is very rarely disappointment in the patient’s perception of the success of the surgery
Where to stay:
If you live some distance from the clinic we recommend that you spend one night in or near Oslo Plastic Surgery Clinic so that our caring staff are on hand to reassure you should any issue arise that will cause you concern. Oslo Plastic Surgery Clinic can highly recommend 2 hotels nearby to our clinic:
Hotel Gabelshus, Gabelsgate 16 or Frogner House Hotel Norum, Bygdøy Allé 53.
Contact us for more information and/or for booking the hotel.
After Surgery:
We will require you to come to the clinic for a follow up check. WITH ALL SURGERY THIS IS IMPORTANT AS YOUR SURGEON NEEDS TO SEE HOW YOU ARE SETTLING.
We do not recommend you fly for 48 hours post surgery. You may feel nauseous and tired in the hours following surgery. It is important to take your painkillers and drink enough fluids.
You may experience dizziness if you get up quickly from a chair or perhaps when you are lying in bed, so be sensible, take it easy and move slowly. This is quite normal following surgery and should pass within a couple of days.
The first 2-5 days following your breast surgery you may feel stiff and sore in the chest region. You will be required to wear a sports bra for approximately 6 weeks after surgery day and night. Your breasts may feel tight and sensitive to the touch and your skin may feel warm or itchy.
Follow ups will be carried out at the clinic/alternatively through phone or video consultation:
1 day after surgery, after 1-2 weeks, after 3-6 months and finally after 1 year when our guarantee to you is completed.
Bleeding and infection are unusual and if they do occur they may need to be treated with a small operation and/or an antibiotic. Asymmetry, thick unpleasant scars or an unsatisfactory degree of the breast lift can occur. In cases where an implant is also required, incorrect positioning of the implant or the formation of hard capsules can also occur. If corrections are needed they will be scheduled free of charge within one year after your surgery. Anaesthesia allergy is extremely rare.