The best results are achieved with fatty pads on the outside of the thighs (so-called “saddlebags”), the bottom, the tummy and in the lumbar area. But this method is also used for the face. Firm, elastic skin over the treated area improves the result later. The doctor and the patient decide on surgery together after a comprehensive consultation to discuss all medical and psychological risks.

For liposuction a metal tube about 2 to 4.5 cm in diameter is inserted into the fatty tissue through a tiny skin incision. This metal cannula is connected to a suction pump by a tube. The vacuum applied by the pump sucks the fatty tissue out. During the procedure the surgeon moves the cannula back and forth to reduce the fatty accumulation as evenly as possible.

The procedure - usually outpatient - lasts two to five hours depending on the size of the area being treated. As a rule, not more than two litres are removed at a single session. In exceptional cases, five litres may be removed. Larger volumes of up to 20 litres should only be removed in very special cases, and only by extremely experienced surgeons. Hospitalisation is indicated in all such cases.

Today there are a number of techniques for liposuction. While liposuction used to be performed dry, and with cannulas up to 10 mm in diameter, this old method has now made way for “wet” tumescent techniques. Other techniques, which are combined with “wet” liposuction, include ultrasound and laser techniques. Today it is even possible to transplant fat cells harvested by liposuction to a different part of the body. This is also called liposculpture.

Aftercare with compression is the same for all these techniques, and serves to ensure the desired permanent success of treatment.

Advantages of liposuction

Apart from small skin incisions the skin layers covering the fatty pads remain untouched. Since the cannula has a blunt, cylindrical tip the blood vessels in the fatty tissue remain largely intact. The risk of more serious bleeding is minimal. Another advantage is that only small skin incisions are used for this technique because this diminishes the likelihood of wound-healing disorders. The operation under local anaesthesia has the benefit of minimising the anaesthesia risk. Outpatient treatment usually improves patient co-operation and mobility. This also reduces the risk of postoperative thrombosis. However, liposuction is still a surgical procedure, and the risks have to be weighed up individually.