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+41 44 388 15 15Age or weight related loss of contour
Liposuction
Even people of normal weight may have genetically determined or age-related pockets of excess fat that do not respond to dieting or sporting activity. Liposuction can be the solution for anyone who is seeking a more beautiful and better proportioned body shape. The removal of this fat is therefore especially beneficial for women and men with localised fat distribution problems. A surgical intervention known as liposuction is used to remove the excess fat from the problem areas, improving the silhouette.
There are numerous critical points at which fat can accumulate: the abdomen, legs, buttocks, hips or waist (also known as love handles).
But it is important to know that liposuction is not a procedure for general weight loss, and neither does it help in removing stretch marks or excess skin.
Getting rid of abdominal fat
Liposuction is especially suitable for sculpting the abdominal area in women and men. The lower abdomen often fails to respond to a balanced diet and exercise. Even extremely sporty and active people can feel dissatisfied with their figure. Pregnancy or caesarean section can alter the appearance of the lower abdomen in such a way that the changes cannot be reversed, even with exercise and diet.
Much of the abdominal fat frequently lies directly under the skin and is therefore easy to remove. However, fat that is located deep in the abdomen (between the organs, also called visceral fat) cannot be removed with liposuction, as this could result in serious complications. If excess skin is present before liposuction or if there is a risk that excess skin could develop afterwards, liposuction can be combined with abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck).
Before surgery, Frequent problem areas, After surgery (from left to right)
Liposuction in the hip area (love handles)
Removal of fat from the hips is generally a good way to optimise the body shape. This type of liposuction is usually used for women, as men are less prone to fat deposits in these areas. Female patients who have liposuction in order to improve the appearance of their hips may require additional surgery to achieve the desired shape. Liposuction of the hips is often combined with liposuction of the thighs. The procedure can also be supplemented with an extended abdominoplasty.
Fat deposits located directly over the pelvic bone are often referred to as love handles. In men, but sometimes also in women, this ring of fat can protrude like a bulge over the belt and extend around to the back. Fat in this location is often somewhat firmer and therefore more difficult to remove. However, the shape of this zone can be significantly improved with our liposculpture methods.
Skin firming in this zone, when combined with liposculpture, often delivers the best results in cases where there is excess skin.
Liposuction of the legs
Fat deposits on the legs can often be localised. However, they can also be due to the shape of the underlying muscle and are sometimes caused by venous congestion or even lymphoedema (blockage of the lymphatic system). When the cause is fat deposits, liposuction is an elegant and permanent way to achieve a more beautiful shape for the lower leg.
Liposuction of the arms
Liposuction of the upper arms is popular and leads to beautiful results. The arms appear slimmer following treatment. This can also make the rest of the body appear shaplier. Liposuction of the arms should be accompanied by an arm lift if the skin is already very loose and a lot of fat is being removed.
LIPOSUCTION OF THE FACE (DOUBLE CHIN)
Women and men who are otherwise of normal weight can find that fat deposits around the chin are particularly unwanted, especially if they form a double chin. This occurs in different variants. One is a very discreet, but clearly localisable pad of fat which is particularly noticeable when your face is looking downward. This is often hereditary, but can easily be removed with liposuction. In these cases it is often a question of using liposuction to achieve a slight firming of the skin, rather than to remove a lot of fat. The other variant is the double chin, where the transition from the chin to the neck is indistinct. Here, too, the contour of the chin and neck can be restored by liposculpture.
ADDITIONAL SKIN LIFTING FOR POOR SKIN ELASTICITY
Skin elasticity is a significant factor in achieving a satisfactory result. After liposuction, the excess skin needs to shrink to fit the new contours. If the skin elasticity is very weak or there is a lot of excess skin (e.g. following significant weight loss or several pregnancies), improvement is often only possible with additional skin lifting. This, however, does leave scars.
Treatments for skin lifting are available for various areas of the body. Skin lifts range from selective firming of the abdomen, upper arms, thighs and buttocks to a full body lift. The latter involves corrective surgery for the whole body and is normally only necessary following extreme weight loss.
Excess skin is removed, with scars being located in areas that can be easily covered with clothing. The amount of skin to be removed is measured precisely before and during the operation, resulting in reliable and permanent firming of the skin. Scars are finely sutured to ensure that they are as inconspicuous as possible after healing. Skin lifts can only be performed under general anaesthetic.
The Operation
On the day of the operation you will arrive at the Day Clinic of the Centre for Plastic Surgery 45 minutes before your scheduled surgery. Our nursing staff and your specialist will prepare you for the operation ahead. This includes taking the “before” photos and marking the new body contours on your skin. An experienced anaesthetist will explain the details of the anaesthetic planned. Liposuction can be done under general as well as under local anaesthesia. With minor liposuctions and only small areas to be treated tumescent anaesthesia may offer an alternative in selected cases.
The duration of the procedure varies from one to three hours. The incisions are very small and will be scarcely visible after a few months. Directly after the operation you will be fitted with a compression stocking or compression garment.
Postsurgical Care
You will be able to shower again on the first day after the procedure. For best results, you will need to wear the compression stockings or compression garment day and night for at least four weeks. For liposculpture using local anaesthetic, this is reduced to two weeks. The first follow-up appointment will be a week after the liposuction.
In the first few weeks after the liposuction, the treatment sites may still be a little swollen, but most of this swelling will gradually disappear within the first four weeks. It will take three to six months for the tissue to return to normal, so some patience is required before the final results of the liposuction can be seen and fully appreciated.
As the suction process removes many fat cells from the body, you can expect the results to be permanent, as long as your weight remains stable. Liposuction is not to be viewed as a general weight reduction measure.
BoDy Surgery
Slackening of the tissue – caused by significant fluctuations in weight, genetic predisposition or due to aging – can result in surplus skin and tissue. Excess skin on the upper arms, thighs and abdomen can be particularly unwanted. These regions can be firmed and tightened using a targeted procedure. The most commonly requested procedure is an abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck”. This may be desired, for example, by women who have had multiple pregnancies or who have been pregnant with twins. The skin has been stretched so often and so much that it does not return to its original state. Skin tightening procedures can also be helpful following liposuction.
A body lift may be indicated when the individual has excessively loose tissue in various areas of the body at the same time, i.e. on the abdomen, hips, buttocks and thighs. This is frequently the case following significant weight loss.
body lift
A body lift is a correction of the entire figure. While previous surgical procedures focused mainly on the anterior abdominal wall and the inner thigh, today’s body lifts use techniques that allow for correction of the figure as a whole, especially in the area of the hips and buttocks.
The incisions required under this procedure will be placed so that they are concealed by your underwear or swimsuit. A body lift can be combined with liposuction on the thighs or correction of the upper arms.
The operation
On the day of your body lift you will arrive at the Pyramid Clinic one and a half to two hours before your scheduled surgery. Our nursing staff and your specialist will prepare you for the operation ahead. This includes taking the “before” photos and marking the new silhouette on your skin.
The body lift takes from four to six hours and is performed under general anaesthetic. First, the buttocks and outer thigh area will be lifted while you lie on your stomach. Then the abdomen and inner thighs will be treated while you lie on your back.
A body lift is a major medical intervention that generally requires an overnight stay in the clinic of five to seven days.
Postsurgical care
After the operation you will have to wear a special stomach belt during the day for a period of six weeks. You will need to allow several weeks before the extended incision lines over various parts of the body have fully healed. You may also be off work for up to four weeks.
Figure 1: Excess skin folds are clearly visible around the buttocks and thig
Figure 2: The incision lines are marked on the skin in preparation for “full body” correction
Figure 3: The surgical scars will be positioned in such a way that they are concealed by your underwear or swimsuit
Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty or a “tummy tuck” is indicated when massive weight reduction or pregnancy leaves excess, loose skin and fatty tissue around the abdomen. These noticeable folds of excess skin and fat not only interfere with sport and clothing choices but are also out of proportion to the rest of the body. Many of those affected – particularly women – will understandably want to have this unpleasant effect corrected.
The operation
On the day of your abdominoplasty you will arrive at the Pyramid Clinic one and a half to two hours before your scheduled surgery. Our nursing staff and your specialist will prepare you for the operation ahead. This includes taking the “before” photos and marking the new tummy contours on your skin. An experienced anaesthetist you will explain the details of the anaesthetic planned.
The loose skin and excess fatty tissue will be carefully measured and surgically removed. However, the incisions will be so well positioned that any scars will be concealed by your underwear or swimsuit. Often some internal tightening is necessary as well as the external tuck. This involves suturing of the abdominal muscles so that they act like an internal corset.
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic and takes two to three hours. It requires a stay in the Pyramid Clinic of four nights.
Postsurgical care
After the abdominoplasty you will be fitted with a special compression garment that you must wear for six weeks – especially when standing up during the day. In the first few weeks you will feel a temporary tautness around the tummy and possibly some muscular pain as a result of the associated muscle firming. Expect to be off work for about two weeks. The abdominal muscles in particular should be rested (e.g. no lifting weights). After about six to eight weeks your scars will have healed.
Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover comprises a number of procedures that are performed in a single operation to address unwanted changes caused by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. The needs and problem areas vary from woman to woman in these cases. Therefore, the interventions used are always combined individually. Typical problem areas are:
- Loose skin around the abdomen
- Loss of volume in the breasts
- Thinning of the labia, loosening of the vagina, perineal injuries
- Localised fat deposits on the hips and thighs that are resistant to changes in diet and exercise
Combination of procedures on the breast, abdomen, genitals and legs
A classic mommy makeover consists of a tummy tuck and a breast lift. Liposuction
can also be included, depending on the scope of the individual
interventions. Not everything can and should be combined together,
because the more that is included, the greater the recovery period. The
same applies to procedures in the genital area.
It is best to first discuss your concerns with an experienced plastic,
reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon, and then define with them what
your main problems are and what the best treatment and surgical plan
would be.
Ideal time for a mommy makeover
Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding are formative experiences that every woman will perceive differently. You should definitely allow your body enough time to regenerate and return to its “old” form. Having a child demands a lot of energy from your body. Initially, you need to be able to focus on your child, their health and your health without putting your body under additional stress through dieting or excessive exercise. The ideal time for a mommy makeover is when:
- You stopped breastfeeding 6 to 12 months ago;
- You have reached your desired or normal weight again;
- Your family planning is complete;
- Your children are independent in as much as they don’t need to be carried constantly;
- You are unsatisfied with problem areas and this is affecting your quality of life, your sense of self and possibly your relationship.
Genital surgery
The need for physical reconstruction and rejuvenation can also apply to the genital area. Thanks to the emancipation of women and the breaking down of taboos around sexuality, topics that were once hushed up can be discussed in the open today. Overall well-being is an entirely legitimate need of every woman, and this includes “down there”.
The need for vaginal reconstruction may develop over time or may even arise in younger women, especially following multiple pregnancies (e.g. vaginoplasty or perineorrhaphy) or to address congenital variants involving larger and/or asymmetrical inner labia. Having labia that are too big, thick and/or long can cause women considerable psychological problems. Many of these women seek treatment because of problems when wearing tight clothing and during sexual activity. Feelings of shame and rejection are not infrequent in these cases. Sometimes labia that are too large can cause problems that are purely medical, such as when their size means that they lead to pain or discomfort during sports such as cycling or horseback riding, for example. Labial reduction is the most frequently performed labiaplasty procedure.
In addition to labial reduction, procedures can also be carried out to enlarge the labia, known as labial augmentation. In these cases, the outer labia is enlarged using fat grafting or augmentation with hyaluronic acid. Other procedures for women may include vaginal tightening, reconstruction of the vagina (vaginoplasty) and correction of perineal scars.
An experienced team of experts
Our doctors have many years of experience and are highly skilled in aesthetic surgeries & treatments. We guarantee rapid, expert investigation and advice. Treatment is provided using the most up-to- date equipment and facilities. You can also contact us to receive a second opinion.
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