Liposuction
Liposuction in Cyprus, Greece and Malta
There are specific areas of our bodies that tend to accumulate fat, such as the abdominal area, hips, thighs, and the back of the arms. Many people try exhaustive diet and intense physical exercise to shape and tone these “difficult to contour” areas, often with no luck.
The concept of targeting particular areas of the body for fat loss – also known as spot reducing – has been a topic for discussion among fitness circles and marketeers. Suffice to say, the spot fat-reducing devices marketed through the Internet and TV commercials are a waste of money and time. The same applies to exhaustive, “feel the burn” type of exercises that cannot sufficiently target the localized and persistent fat that is gathered in specific spots of our body.
Liposuction has been a safe, reliable, and popular cosmetic procedure for over three decades to target the exercise- and diet-resistant body fat deposits efficiently.
However, liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a replacement for healthy eating habits and physical exercise.
It is important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon before undergoing liposuction to ensure the best possible outcome.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat from the body using suction. The purpose of liposuction is to improve and refine the body shape as well as to reduce the overall body size. It is most commonly used to remove stubborn pockets of fat in areas such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks and arms.
The procedure involves making small incisions in the skin through which a thin tube called a cannula is inserted small deposits of fat are removed through the cannula. The cannula is then moved back and forth to break up the fat cells before they are suctioned out with a vacuum device.
The most common areas with subcutaneous fatty tissue that liposuction surgery can efficiently target are:
- Abdomen
- Flanks (Love Handles)
- Waist
- Bulges along the back
- Chest/Male breasts (gynecomastia)
- Hips
- Thighs
- Chin and Neck/Jowls
- Arms
- Knees
- Ankles
- Calves
In comparison to other non-invasive fat reduction procedures, liposuction offers more dramatic and long-lasting results.
Liposuction can be performed under local or general anaesthesia depending on how much fat needs to be removed and where it’s located. In comparison to other non-invasive fat reduction procedures, liposuction offers more dramatic and long-lasting results.
Recovery time varies but typically takes between one week and two weeks for swelling and bruising to subside completely and results are usually visible within 2–3 months after surgery and may continue to improve for up to 6 months afterwards.
Some complications associated with liposuction include infection, bleeding, scarring, nerve damage and fluid accumulation (seroma) however, complications from liposuction are rare. Consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine if liposuction is the right procedure for you.
What is MicroAire’s (PAL) Power-Assisted Liposuction System?
Power-Assisted Liposuction System is designed for small -or large- volume fat extraction, body contouring, and fat harvesting.
It is the most widely used and preferred alternative to manual liposuction.
PAL’s smooth reciprocating cannulas glide through tissue, reducing the amount of physical effort required during liposuction, thus reducing O.R. time.
Reciprocation increases control, helping the surgeon gently guide the cannula with greater accuracy, even through dense fibrous tissue. The result is a faster procedure, less fatigue and more precise outcomes.
What does Liposuction surgery involve?
Before your lipo surgery to ensure great long-term results, consider your lifestyle habits. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine can help ensure long-term results from liposuction. In addition, patients should be aware of any pre-operative instructions given by our doctor prior to surgery, such as avoiding certain medications or supplements that may interfere with healing after the procedure.
Step 1: Anesthesia
The first procedural step is sedation or general anesthesia administered by a certified anesthesiologist. The doctor will also monitor your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels to ensure that you are safe during the procedure.
Step 2: Incisions, Aspiration & Fat Removal
The surgeon makes tiny incisions (no more than 2 mm) in the natural body creases (groin, belly button). Through these incisions, he infiltrates tumescent solution to minimize bruising, prevent bleeding and numb the area.
Before extraction, the surgeon uses a cannula that is good for breaking up the fat cells.
Right after, Dr. Stavrou uses an extraction cannula. With the help of reciprocation, the cannula can move effortlessly through the fat, with little to no resistance. The holes in the tip of the cannula are constantly moving across the fat in order to remove part of it in an even way without creating contour deformities. Also, the surgeon can move back and forth very carefully, resulting in little to no bruising.
Step 3: Closing the Incision
Lastly, the tiny incisions are cleaned and sutured together. Then, they are covered with tape strips.
Advantages of Power-Assisted Liposuction Surgery
- Less bruising, swelling and trauma.
- Increased patient comfort and improved safety.
- Unlike ultrasound or laser liposuction, PAL is not heat-based, so there’s no risk of patient burns.
- The healing process is faster because connective tissue is not destroyed.
- Improved surgeon precision for body sculpting and contouring.
- Faster procedure compared to manual liposuction.
Recovery after Liposuction
After liposuction, mild discomfort requiring oral pain medication and swelling is expected for some days. Mild bruising and swelling is expected for 2-3 weeks. Numbness and overall tiredness is also common for a few weeks after surgery.
Patients undergoing liposuction are provided with a compression garment. The patient should wear the garment for up to 3 weeks. The garment reduces fluid collection, speeds up the healing process and helps with the patient’s new body curves.
Some patients return to work within a few days, but for most patients, full activities can resume after a few weeks.
It can take from 3 months to up to a year for all surgical swelling to subside and for the final liposuction results to be apparent.
The results are long-term, although potential changes in the patient’s body weight or a future pregnancy can alter the outcome.
Follow-up visits with Dr. Stavrou will continue for at least a year after the procedure.
Duration
2 hours
Anaesthesia Used
General Anaesthetic
Hospital Stay
Day Surgery
Pre Admission Tests
Blood Tests and Electrocardiogram
Downtime
2-3 weeks
Driving
A few days
Exercise
2 weeks
Final Result
3 months
Who is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
- Patients with moderate, stubborn fat deposits on hips, belly, thighs, neck, chin, arms or chest that do not respond to diet or exercise.
- Patients who feel like certain body areas are out of proportion with the rest of their figure and need to balance out the body contour differences.
- Patients with firm and elastic skin so that the skin will contract to the body’s new contours.
- Patients who are close to their ideal body weight can be good candidates too. Typically, patients should be within 30% of their ideal weight.
However, it’s important that you make sure you have realistic expectations about what liposuction can do for you; it cannot address issues related to skin laxity or cellulite dimpling on its own but may be combined with other procedures like tummy tuck or thigh lift for more comprehensive body contouring result.
The liposuction procedure can’t address the loose, sagging skin. To improve these issues, other body contouring procedures, such as a tummy tuck or body lift, may be better options.
If you want to lose a significant amount of weight by undergoing a liposuction procedure, you are mistaken. Liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss. It can improve your shape, make you appear more fit, and sculpt a beautifully natural contour to the body.
If you are considering liposuction, speak to our surgeon who will ensure that you understand the risks and potential complications associated with the procedure, such as infection, scarring, and fluid accumulation.
What our patients say!
Where Will Liposuction Take Place?
Dr. Stavrou performs liposuction surgery in accredited medical centers in Cyprus, Greece and Malta.
The procedure takes place in a safe and sterile operation room. The surgeon uses only state-of-the-art medical equipment. The staff involved is thoroughly trained and specialized in cosmetic surgery. Dr. Stavrou wants to ensure a safe, well-controlled and comfortable surgical experience for all the patients.
After the procedure, the patient is transferred to the recovery suite and is closely monitored by the medical staff.
The European Institute of Plastic Surgery (EIPS) offers exceptional health care and meets the high standards of safety and care set by European laws. EIPS clinics provide individualized health care in a beautiful, exclusive and luxurious environment.
Meet Dr. Demetris Stavrou
Dr. Stavrou is a board-certified Plastic Surgeon leading the European Institute of Plastic Surgery since 2012. He was trained in top Medical Institutions in Greece, London, Melbourne and Israel. He has extensive experience in all types of plastic surgery and an artistic eye. He is compassionate and always by the side of his patients to make them feel comfortable, secure and confident. For Dr. Stavrou, paying attention to the details is what makes the difference in cosmetic procedures.
- Assistant Professor, St George’s, University of London / Medical School at the University of Nicosia
- Honorary Tutor at the University of Cardiff, School of Medicine, UK
- MSc with Distinction in “Wound Healing and Tissue Repair”, University of Cardiff, School of Medicine, U.K
- Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS)
- International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) Instructor
- Fellowship in “Advanced Aesthetic Surgery” from the Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery – Monash University, Australia
- Nicosia, Cyprus +357 70088002
- Limassol, Cyprus +357 70088002
- Greece +30 6971881572
- Malta +356 79317641
FAQs for Liposuction
Can I combine liposuction with other procedures?
Liposuction can be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as lifts (arm lift, thigh lift, etc.), abdominoplasty, or a breast reduction. The recovery times will take longer for combined cosmetic surgeries.
Liposuction can also treat medical conditions, like gynecomastia (male breasts) and lipedema, or remove benign fatty tumors.
How many treatments do I need?
Most patients only need one treatment at the clinic or hospital. However, some may benefit from more than one treatment depending on how much laxity they have and their body’s own biological response to the ultrasound and the collagen-building process.
Is liposuction painful?
In general, liposuction is not considered a painful procedure and the healing process is relatively fast.
Patient responses indicated an average postoperative pain level of 1 to 3 on the second or third day after surgery.
Almost all patients can resume their presurgical routines by the tenth postoperative day, depending on the extent and number of treatment sites.
Read our article if liposuction is dangerous.
Does insurance cover liposuction?
Health insurance usually does not cover liposuction surgery costs as it is a cosmetic procedure. Talk to your insurance provider for more information.
How long does liposuction surgery take?
The duration of the liposuction procedure depends on the technique the plastic surgeon will use and whether it is performed in one or more parts of the body.
What is the cost of liposuction?
Liposuction surgery is a cosmetic procedure that requires a talented plastic surgeon with outstanding experience in performing plastic operations. Thus, the priority for every patient who wants to undergo a safe cosmetic procedure is to find a board-certified and experienced plastic surgeon.
The cost of liposuction ranges based on the country and the experience of the doctor. In general, liposuction procedure may include the below charges:
- Tests
- Anesthesia
- Surgeon fee
- Hospital costs
- Post-surgical treatment
- Post-op garment
- Cyprus, Nicosia & Limassol: 70088002 or +357 97873787
- Greece, Athens: +30 6971881572
- Malta, Sliema: +356 79317641
Are liposuction results permanent?
Liposuction can provide long-lasting results, but it is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle to preserve the outcome. The procedure permanently removes fat cells from specific areas of the body, leading to a more sculpted appearance. However, if a person gains weight after liposuction, the remaining fat cells can still expand, affecting the overall results. Adhering to a balanced diet and regular exercise routine can help maintain the benefits of liposuction over time.
Can liposuction get rid of cellulite?
Liposuction is not specifically designed to eliminate cellulite. While liposuction can remove excess fat from targeted areas, it may not significantly improve the appearance of cellulite. Alternative treatments, such as laser therapy or radiofrequency treatments, are often more effective in addressing cellulite.
Can I do liposuction twice?
In some cases, it is possible to undergo liposuction more than once. Individuals may opt for a second liposuction procedure if they have additional areas of concern or if they desire further refinement after the initial surgery. However, it’s crucial to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to assess your specific situation and ensure that you are a suitable candidate for a repeat procedure.
Can I get liposuction on my face?
Yes, liposuction can be performed on the face to remove excess fat and improve facial contours. Facial liposuction is commonly used to address areas like the double chin or chubby cheeks. The procedure is typically less invasive than body liposuction, and smaller cannulas are used for more precise results. As with any surgery, it is crucial to consult with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon to determine if you are a suitable candidate for facial liposuction.
Should I shave before liposuction?
In most cases, shaving the treatment area is not necessary before liposuction. Your surgeon and their medical team will handle the preparation of the treatment area before the procedure. It is essential to follow your surgeon’s pre-operative instructions, which may include guidelines on hygiene, clothing, and skincare before the surgery.
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