We often hear about it without necessarily understanding exactly what it means, what is liposuction? Why resort to it and how? We tell you everything.

To perfect a silhouette, get rid of saddlebags, or bat wings... it is sometimes necessary to surgically remove excess fat! That is the whole point of liposuction. While it may be appealing in principle, liposuction is first and foremost a cosmetic surgery that should not be taken lightly. Before taking the plunge, you must be aware of all the pros and cons of this operation by consulting a surgeon, but above all, be certain of your decision.

Understanding what liposuction is

Liposuction (lipo = fat, suction = remove) is a surgical technique that involves aspirating the excess fat mass that settles in specific areas of the body in order to quickly reshape the silhouette. Also called liposculting (recently) or lipoaspiration, it is performed using a cannula inserted under the skin that will aspirate the excess fat without leaving a single scar! It emerged in the 1980s, conceived in France by French surgeon Yves Gérard Illouz; today, the procedure is always performed by a healthcare professional and requires day hospitalization with local or general anesthesia and social withdrawal.

Why resort to liposuction?

You may resort to liposuction when you want a harmonious silhouette. Liposuction allows you to remove excess fat from the thighs, belly, arms, neck, or even back rolls... Be careful, it is important to understand that this surgical technique will not actually help you lose weight! You can think of liposuction as an eraser that will erase the excess localized fat that spoils the harmony of a silhouette in order to give it a more sculpted appearance. Liposuction also has the merit of boosting morale, since regaining a beautiful silhouette greatly contributes to self-esteem!

Which area of the body can undergo liposuction?

Liposuction can be performed on all areas that have excess fat such as: the neck, chest, calves, belly, thighs, lower belly, arms, thighs, knees, buttocks, saddlebags, hips, unsightly rolls... Obviously, it is best to see with the surgeon which area to treat first, although several areas can be treated at the same time.

How does liposuction work?

First of all, you must find the surgeon who will perform the liposuction. To do this, do not hesitate to visit several offices and ask for several quotes and choose the practitioner whose method will resonate best with you. Once the surgeon and the office have been chosen, you must go through a consultation session to establish the needs: which area to treat? What is the expected result? Should we expect side effects? But also check the patient's physical condition (allergies, medical history, etc.) with the patient before planning the operation. Following this consultation, if the surgeon believes that the operation is feasible without problems, a session is scheduled. Subsequently, a consultation with an anesthesiologist is essential to define the type of anesthesia that will be used during the procedure. Indeed, liposuction is an operation that requires local or general anesthesia depending on the person's needs.

When the big day arrives, the patient is entitled to a room in the hospital where the procedure will be performed. In this room, they will then be invited to get ready before the start of the procedure. Sedatives may be given by the nurses to calm the state of anxiety that some patients may experience before the procedure.

• How much does liposuction cost? It all depends on the area that will be operated on. On average, you should expect between €700 and €3000 (for hip liposuction, for example), not counting the first consultation with the surgeon (€50 to €150), plus the price of the consultation with the anesthesiologist and the prescribed post-operative care... So plan a generous budget!

How long does the procedure take?

A liposuction performed on a single area takes an average of 30 minutes. If the surgical procedure addresses several areas of excess fat, the operation can take up to 2 hours or even slightly more.

What to follow after the operation

After the surgery, whether you have chosen to operate on one or several areas, you will need to follow certain points so that the result is as optimal as possible. A few hours after the operation, you must start by wearing a compression panty (bought in advance in your usual size), it will serve as support for the liposuctioned areas. This "compression stocking" will help compress the treated areas and absorb the hematomas left after the passage of the cannula. It must be worn day and night for about 4 weeks.

Liposuction is an operation that involves social withdrawal. Indeed, it is impossible to leave the operating room and return to your normal life two hours later. For at least a week, the body must rest, without professional and physical activity! You must avoid sudden movements and strenuous efforts at the risk of reinforcing the pain caused by the operation. In the first few days, the pain can be equivalent to severe muscle soreness. Nothing surprising, since the body undergoes a shock between the insertion of the cannula and the removal of the fat, so painkillers can therefore be prescribed. Note that physical traces can occur after the operation (ecchymoses, bruises) and last between two to three weeks.

A follow-up consultation with the cosmetic surgeon takes place at the end of the first week following the operation. This consultation will allow the surgeon to examine the work and remove the suture threads. In some cases, it is possible to undergo an abdominal plasty to tighten the loose skin (particularly in the lower belly area) if the amount of fat extracted was very large.

What about the result?

Liposuction is effective but is not miraculous either. The final results are not visible right after the end of the operation! You will have to wait at least a month before observing the first changes in the silhouette, but wait up to a year before having the final result you hoped for. To optimize these results and make sure not to ruin the surgeon's work (and lose your money), during the year following the operation, you must make sure to have a balanced diet by following a specific diet.

You must reduce or even completely stop your tobacco consumption, get back into or start a regular physical activity and treat yourself to regular massages such as lymphatic drainage, for example... If the liposuction took place on the upper body (nape, neck...) and you want to harmonize the result by maintaining the skin of the face, think about the hydrating anti-dark circle serums that lift the gaze! To go further, you can also extend your beauty routine with the eyelash serums that lengthen and strengthen the lashes for a doe-eyed look...

By permanently adopting this course of action, the results should be promising in the long term!

Are there contraindications for liposuction?

As with any surgical procedure, liposuction also has its share of side effects and contraindications. Although it is rather rare to be unable to perform liposuction, the operation is not recommended for people suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, HIV positivity, or severe mental disorders.