Liposuction with safety and using local anesthesia in the doctor's office is the best choice for refining localized body imperfections where there is excess fat under the skin. This method allows for, for example, abdominal liposuction in one session and another session addressing love handles or performing liposculpture on the inner thighs and knees. This approach provides greater control over the results and is safer than liposuction under general anesthesia. Additionally, it entails lower costs for the procedure as it does not require hospitalization or an anesthesiologist. Apart from the lower price, it also involves a shorter recovery time. However, this method has limitations regarding the number of areas per session.
What is Liposuction - Liposculpture?
Liposuction - Liposculpture is a safe, painless, and bloodless method for improving body shape. Using local anesthesia without the potential complications of general anesthesia, we remove fat from areas of excess and can redistribute it where it's deficient. This is done using specialized thin tubes after creating tiny holes of minimal millimeters for their entry. Throughout the procedure, you remain conscious and in control without feeling pain.
Moreover, since you're conscious and able to move, after removing the majority of the fat, we proceed to sculpt and contour the area. We ask you to stand up to evaluate the area not only horizontally but also vertically, revealing any imperfections caused by gravity. This allows us to note and correct any irregularities for the most uniform and smooth result without dimples that may 'disappear' when lying down.
This method can improve the shape of areas such as thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and others. Impressive results can also be achieved in the chin area. No hospitalization is required, and you can return to work the next day or even the same day in some cases.
This method is entirely safe as it is performed in a properly equipped office using local anesthesia only. The use of solely local anesthesia is crucial for maximum safety, as it avoids the rare but existing risks associated with general anesthesia.
How is it performed?
In our office, we only use the classic liposuction method, known as syringe liposuction, meaning 'by hand with small tubes'. We deliberately avoid the use of suction machines and manually apply negative pressure and suction, using our fingers, stopping and persisting with micro-adjustments as needed. While more tiring and time-consuming, this allows us to have absolute control and results characterized by uniformity without 'dimples' or sagging. Also, we deliberately avoid using various laser liposuction machines, which, although they save time, have not shown better results in international literature and involve the real risk of skin burns. Additionally, they destroy the fat, making it unusable for fat grafting.
Is anesthesia necessary?
Classic syringe liposuction does not require general anesthesia or sedation. We use special tumescent local anesthesia injected under the skin, aiding in tissue separation to increase safety and reduce bruising during recovery. Throughout the procedure, you don't feel pain, and we can add anesthesia at any time if you feel discomfort, as in any local anesthesia procedure.
Where can Liposuction be applied, and what is the cost?
We emphasize that liposuction is not about weight loss but about improving localized imperfections due to localized fat accumulation, and weight stability is required to proceed. The most common applications are on the outer and inner thighs, lower buttocks, knees, abdomen, waistline, and chin. Naturally, the expected results depend on each case separately and require evaluation beforehand.
The cost depends on the extent and amount of fat to be removed and the time required. For example, liposuction on the chin and knees is shorter than on the abdomen or love handles. Additionally, it depends on the technical difficulty of each case and area. In any case, liposuction is now an entirely affordable process and payment by credit card or in installments is also possible, subject to agreement with your bank.
What should I be careful of during recovery?
After liposuction, we apply special compressive elastic bandages to the area for a period ranging from 3 days to 1 week, depending on the area. Many times, when we remove these bandages, especially within the first week, we don't even have bruises! Then, in some areas, we use a 'corset' to achieve the best results. For this reason, the months with intense heat from mid-June to mid-September are not often chosen for liposuction. In a few cases, we recommend taking Depon for any discomfort, while antibiotics are not required. After 2-3 days, depending on the area, you can return to your daily routine. For large surface areas, we recommend avoiding exercise in these areas for 1 month. Bathing in the sea or pool is ideal exercise after this period, as it functions as a lymphatic massage and rapidly reduces swelling.
Is postoperative monitoring necessary?
After the procedure, you go home, and we recommend rest. Usually, we see you again 3 days later to remove the bandages for an initial assessment. Then, we see you again approximately 1 month and 3 months later. Many times, those who choose to have liposuction continue with a firming program using radio frequencies or shock waves for cellulite in our clinic to maximize the sculpting results. This allows us to have a more frequent assessment of their progress.
Some patients come from the provinces for the procedure and leave 2-3 days later. We stay in touch via phone until the first reassessment within a few months.
Are there any side effects?
Classical liposuction with a syringe and the use of local anesthesia is the safest method of liposuction, with no truly serious published complications. Unfortunately, the most serious complications from liposuction have occurred due to the use of general anesthesia in hospitals and extensive removal of fluids and fat, something we do not do in our practice. Drainage and some postoperative pain at the site are expected, while the likelihood of infections is minimal since the local anesthetic itself has antimicrobial properties. Also, our method does not involve the risks of hospital-acquired bacteria. Following a medical history assessment and depending on the case, in some instances, we recommend prophylactic antibiotic therapy after the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction
Does sagging occur after liposuction?
No. With the tumescent liposuction method we use and by following our postoperative instructions, liposuction does not cause sagging. However, it does not improve it either, which is why sometimes we combine liposuction with the use of threads and radio frequencies for firming and cellulite improvement in the area, with even better results. Laser liposuction devices that claim to tighten after liposuction do not base this claim on objective findings from the international literature.
Does liposuction improve cellulite?
It is possible to see some improvement, but it is not a method for treating cellulite. In a few cases, we can selectively reduce fat swellings and add fat to certain 'dimples', while using a special cannula to break some fibrous bands, improving the appearance. This is not our usual choice and is done only for certain cases. We recommend the use of shock wave machines in our clinic and sometimes a combination with specialized mesotherapy for maximum results.
When do the results of liposuction become apparent?
Results, depending on the area, begin to appear after the first week, and become visible in the first month, with a continuous clear improvement up to the third month. Within this first trimester, most of the swelling caused by the intervention subsides, and we have an excellent, permanent result, although the definitive result is at one year.
What is the cost of the procedure?
Liposculpture is a complex method for addressing body irregularities, and the cost of the procedure can only be determined after taking a medical history and examining the problem. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ioannidis for information, evaluation, and a price quote. In our clinic, there is also the option of cryolipolysis, which in some cases can lead to a visible difference with just one session.
