Each area calls for a different approachLiposuction tailored to your body
Liposuction (Abdomen · Thighs · Arms)
Liposuction suctions subcutaneous fat to refine the contour of each area; when loose skin is also present, it is combined with excision surgery.
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Overview
Even when you lose weight through diet and exercise, fat in certain areas often remains until the very end. The abdomen and flanks, the inner and outer thighs and the upper arms are typical. Liposuction suctions this subcutaneous fat through thin cannulas to refine the contour of each area. It is surgery to refine shape, not surgery to reduce weight.
Each area differs in the thickness of the fat layer, skin elasticity, and the shape of the muscle and bone. On the abdomen, the superficial and deep fat layers must be distinguished; on the inner thigh the skin is thin, so over-suctioning leaves the surface uneven; on the arms the suction layer must be set to avoid nerves and blood vessels. The result is decided not by how much is removed but by how evenly it is removed, within a range from which the skin can recover.
When the skin is already loose, reducing fat alone makes the sagging more noticeable. In that case, excision surgery such as abdominoplasty, an arm lift or a thigh lift needs to be combined. At Atelier Plastic Surgery, we check skin elasticity and the fat layer with ultrasound at consultation to first judge whether liposuction is enough or excision is needed. Dr. Go performs the surgery herself, and we perform only one general anesthesia surgery per day.
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Recommended for
Abdominal and flank fat that does not reduce with diet and exercise
Inner thighs that touch, or outer thighs that protrude
Fat remaining on the back and inside of the upper arm that makes the arms look thick
Skin elasticity that remains, so the skin can contract after suction
A wish to refine the side contour together with abdominoplasty, breast surgery or similar
A wish to address localized fat at the same time, such as accessory breast tissue in the armpit
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Surgery & treatment methods
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Abdominal and flank liposuction
Small access ports of a few millimeters are placed around the navel, in the lower abdomen and on the flanks, tumescent solution is infiltrated, and the superficial and deep layers are suctioned separately. Suction must continue through the flanks to the upper back for the waistline to connect naturally. If diastasis recti is present, suction alone leaves a bulge, so abdominoplasty is considered.
Suited for · Abdominal and flank fat with remaining skin elasticity
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Thigh liposuction
The inner, outer, front and back (the crease below the buttock) are suctioned separately. The inner thigh has thin skin and its surface easily becomes irregular, so it is suctioned conservatively, mainly in the deep layer; on the outer thigh we focus on blending the protruding part smoothly into its surroundings. Addressing fat on the inner knee at the same time lets the line of the leg connect.
Suited for · Inner thighs that touch, outer thigh protrusion, inner knee fat
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Arm liposuction
Fat on the back and inside of the upper arm and in front of and behind the armpit is suctioned. In the arms, nerves and blood vessels lie close beneath the skin, so the suction layer and direction are chosen with care. If the skin hangs and swings noticeably when you raise your arm, sagging may remain after suction, so an arm lift is combined or recommended instead.
Suited for · Upper arm fat with mild skin sagging
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Combined with excision surgery
When liposuction is combined in the same session as abdominoplasty, an arm lift or a thigh lift, it reduces the thickness of the areas not being excised so that the contours connect. The extent and layer of suction are limited to protect the blood supply to the skin in the excision area.
Suited for · When loose skin and fat are present together
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Combined with fat grafting
The suctioned fat can be purified and grafted to areas that need volume, such as the breasts or face. When planned together with non-implant breast augmentation, the suction sites and amount are set to match the grafting plan.
Suited for · When you want to reduce fat and add volume elsewhere at the same time
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Key facts
Surgery time
About 1–2 hours per area
Anesthesia
Sedation or general anesthesia (depending on the area and extent; with an anesthesiologist for general anesthesia)
Hospital stay
Same-day discharge (1 day for extensive liposuction)
These may vary depending on your condition; we will give you precise details at your consultation.
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Atelier Plastic Surgery's approach
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The suction layer and cannula differ by area
On the abdomen, the deep layer is used mainly to reduce volume and the superficial layer to even out the surface. On the inner thigh and arms the skin is thin, so we suction mainly in the deep layer with a thin cannula. Changing the thickness and direction of the cannula according to the area and layer is the basis of keeping the surface smooth.
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Removing fat evenly comes before removing a lot
Removing too much fat from one area leaves the surface hollow and the skin sagging. We adjust the amount suctioned so that the borders blend into the surroundings, aiming for a shape in which left and right, upper and lower connect naturally when checked standing. There is a safety limit on the amount suctioned in one session.
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If the skin is loose, we do not recommend suction alone
If the skin does not return straight away when pinched and released, sagging becomes more visible after suction. In that case, combining excision surgery or putting excision first is the right approach. We explain first at consultation whether liposuction is enough or excision is needed.
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Dr. Go follows your care through after surgery
After liposuction, swelling, bruising and firmness beneath the skin continue for several weeks. You visit on a set schedule so that Dr. Go can check your progress herself and look for seroma with ultrasound. As needed, treatments such as SmartLUX and Omega Light help with swelling and recovery.
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After surgery
Day of surgery
Remaining tumescent solution may seep out through the access ports, so you wear absorbent pads and a compression garment. With sedation you go home the same day; with general anesthesia or extensive liposuction you may stay one night.
Days 2–3
Bruising and swelling are at their worst. Keep wearing the compression garment and take light walks. Pain is similar to muscle soreness and is controlled with prescribed medication.
Week 1
At the first visit we check the access ports and look for seroma. You can shower and return to light daily life, including desk work.
Week 2
Bruising fades and the stitches at the access ports are removed. Firmness beneath the skin is part of the healing process and softens over several weeks.
Weeks 4–6
You finish wearing the compression garment and begin light aerobic exercise. Much of the swelling has gone, and the change in contour becomes visible.
Months 3–6
The remaining swelling settles and the skin contracts, completing the final contour. Minor surface irregularities are observed until this point, and we then consider a touch-up if needed.
Recovery care and the aftercare schedule are described in the Safety Care System. Safety Care System
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Side effects · Precautions
Liposuction can involve the following complications: bleeding and hematoma; seroma, a collection of fluid in the suctioned space; infection; contour irregularities such as unevenness or depressions in the skin surface; left-right asymmetry; reduced sensation and numbness in the suctioned area (usually recovering over several months, though in some cases it may persist for a long time); skin pigmentation; scars at the access ports; skin sagging from excessive suction or insufficient skin elasticity; and, rarely, skin necrosis. With large-volume liposuction or general anesthesia there is a risk of fat embolism, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and fluid imbalance, so we limit the amount suctioned and prevent these with compression stockings and early walking. Side effects related to the local anesthetic in the tumescent solution are also possible. Results vary by individual, the remaining fat cells can enlarge again if you gain weight, and additional touch-up treatment may be needed. All of the above is explained fully at consultation.
The content on this page is general medical information provided in accordance with the Medical Service Act. The results of surgery and treatments and the recovery period may vary by individual. All surgeries and treatments carry a risk of side effects, so please decide after a thorough consultation with a specialist.
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FAQ
Q1How much weight will I lose with liposuction?
Liposuction is surgery to refine shape, not weight-loss surgery. There is a safety limit on the amount suctioned in one session, so the change in weight is not large; what changes instead is the thickness and contour of specific areas. To reduce your weight itself, diet and exercise come first.
Q2How is it different from CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a non-surgical treatment that cools fat cells to reduce them, without incisions or anesthesia; the amount reduced per session is limited and several sessions may be needed. Liposuction reduces a larger amount in a single surgery and can refine the contour of the whole area. We review the two together at consultation, depending on the size of the area, your recovery circumstances and how much change you want.
Q3Will my skin sag after liposuction?
If skin elasticity remains, the skin contracts over several months after suction. However, skin that is already loose does not shrink with liposuction, and the sagging may become more noticeable. We check skin elasticity at consultation and decide in advance whether to combine excision.
Q4What happens if I gain weight again after liposuction?
The number of fat cells in the suctioned area is reduced, but the remaining cells enlarge again if you gain weight. The area tends to gain less than others, but if your weight rises substantially the suctioned area will also thicken. Keeping your weight stable after surgery is the condition for a lasting result.
Q5Will there be scars?
The access ports are a few millimeters in size and are placed where they are hidden by skin creases or underwear; they generally fade over time and are not very noticeable. However, depending on your skin, pigmentation or thickening may remain.
Q6Why do I need to wear a compression garment?
It reduces the collection of fluid in the space created by suction and helps the skin adhere to its new contour. It is generally worn for about 4–6 weeks: all day at first, then for gradually shorter periods. We will explain how to wear it for each area.
