Liposuction

Liposuction sculpts the body by removing fat that diet and training will not shift — abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. It is a contouring operation, never a substitute for weight loss.

At a glance

Operating time

1–3 hours by area

Anaesthesia

General or sedation

Hospital stay

Day case or one night

Recovery

1–2 weeks

Back to work

5–10 days

How it is performed

Over the past decades the operation has been refined considerably. Tumescent and super-wet techniques and ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) allow more precise contouring with less bruising and quicker recovery than the older methods.

At consultation your health is assessed, the fat deposits are mapped and the quality of your skin is examined. This matters: sometimes the honest answer is that an abdominoplasty, or a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction, will meet your goal better than suction alone. Being frank about your expectations lets the surgeon be equally frank about what is achievable.

You will be given specific instructions on eating, drinking, smoking and medication before surgery. A cold or skin infection can postpone the procedure. Arrange for someone to take you home and to help for a day or two afterwards.

Who is it for

Normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin and localised pockets of excess fat.
Physically healthy, psychologically stable patients with realistic expectations.
Age is not a major consideration, though older skin has less elasticity and may not retract as well.
Not suitable as a treatment for obesity, nor for patients with poorly controlled diabetes, significant heart or lung disease or poor circulation.

Recovery timeline

Days 1–2
A compression garment is worn continuously. Bruising and swelling are at their peak; walking is encouraged early.
Days 3–7
Discomfort settles into soreness. Many patients return to desk work at the end of the first week.
Weeks 2–4
The garment is worn as instructed. Swelling reduces steadily and the new contour begins to show.
Weeks 4–6
Strenuous exercise is resumed gradually.
Months 3–6
Final contour; skin retraction completes.

Risks & honest expectations

Bruising and swelling that can take several weeks to settle.
Contour irregularity or asymmetry, more likely where skin elasticity is poor.
Numbness of the treated skin, usually temporary.
Fluid collection (seroma), infection and reactions to anaesthesia.
Higher risk in patients with diabetes, circulatory, heart or lung disease, or recent surgery in the same area.

The information on this website is for general information only and is not a substitute for a personal medical consultation. Every surgical procedure carries risks; outcomes vary from person to person. Content is reviewed by Dr. H. Seçkin Öksar, Board Certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon.

Questions about this procedure

Will the fat come back?

The fat cells removed do not return. Substantial overall weight gain afterwards will still be stored — more evenly distributed — so the result is best preserved with stable weight.

Liposuction or a tummy tuck?

If the problem is fat with good skin tone, liposuction is enough. If the skin is loose and the abdominal muscles are separated, an abdominoplasty is the honest answer; the two are often combined.

How many areas can be treated at once?

Several areas are routinely treated in one session, within safe limits for volume and operating time — this is assessed individually.

Related procedures

All procedures

Body

Contact

Start with a conversation

Tell us what you are considering. You will get an honest answer about whether it is the right procedure for you — including when the answer is no.

+90 532 722 84 52 WhatsApp

Yeşilbahçe Mah. Metin Kasapoğlu Cad., Gökhan İş Merkezi No:19 D:9, Muratpaşa / Antalya, Türkiye