All about belly liposuction

• a prior appointment with the cosmetic surgeonmust take place, to examine the liposuction area, the feasibility of the operation, the general evaluation of the silhouette and the retraction capacity of the skin (accordion test);
• An appointment with the anesthesiologistis also necessary, to define the type of anesthesia to be performed. In the case of liposuction of the belly, it can be local (via epidural) or general.

Then comes the time of hospitalization, generally on an outpatient basis. The procedure is as follows  :

• the delimitation of the area to be treated (in this case, the belly) with a surgical felt;
• local disinfection;
• in the case of tumescent liposuction, the injection of a solution to liquefy the subcutaneous fat  ;
• the incision of the skin at the level of the groin, the pubis or the navel;
• the introduction of a micro-suction cannula, connected to the suction system, then suction by back and forth movements;
• removal of the cannula and suturing of the incision points, then application of dressings.

The surgery for belly liposuction generally lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes . It can give rise to a night of hospitalization, if the quantity of aspirated fat is significant. Note that this quantity cannot exceed 5% of the total body weight.

What are the consequences of belly liposuction?

Like any operation, liposuction of the belly gives rise to bread, but these are moderate and are generally relieved by the painkillers prescribed by the plastic surgeon. The belly may also be marked withBruisesfor 2 or 3 weeks. The scars associated with the incisions are generally fine, heal quickly, and fade quickly in the months following the operation of the belly.

Otherwise:

• professional activities must be stopped for 1-2 weeks after the intervention;
• Sports Activities as Well , within 3 to 6 weeks;
• Wearing a compression garment , typically a panty or a girdle, is compulsory for 2 to 6 weeks, day and night;
• follow-up visits with the surgeon are to be planned;
• The Scarsshould not be exposed to the sunor UV in the 12 months following the operation, otherwise they will be more visible.

Know that the first results are visible immediately after liposuctiontag. Thebelly is flatter and the silhouette refined. After 3 to 6 months , the time required for the local edema to completely resolve and the skin to retract, the result is “stabilized”. As such, some cosmetic surgeons prescribe abdominal lymphatic drainage sessions to speed up the process.

What are the risks of liposuction?

The side effects exist  : bruises and bruises, oedema, numbness and temporary loss of sensitivity in the abdomen, mild pain (appeased by analgesics), post-operative anemia (the patient can then be supplemented with iron).

The risks exist, but they are rare, liposuction being a generally well-controlled operation, as it is common and old. However, they are not absent.

The most serious risk is thrombosis with the possibility of pulmonary embolismtag. It occurs especially in case of negligence. The contributing factors are:

• overweightthat belly liposuction is intended for individuals of slim build suffering from very localized excess fat;
• insufficiency – which must be detected by the surgeon during the preparatory consultation;
• excessive fat removal – as previously said, it should not exceed 5% of total body weight;
• too early postoperative discharge  ;
• non-compliance with post-operative measures – eviction of the wearing of compression and drug treatment (anticoagulant).

Other risks may arise, including:

• due to lack of hygiene and/ or
• intra -abdominal perforation by the suction cannula;
• yearunsatisfactory correction , with asymmetries, depressions, surface irregularities, sagging skin or weak retraction of the skin;

In any case, the risks of death associated with abdominal liposuction are minimal, and are very often due to a reaction to general anesthesia.

What long-term result can be expected?

In principle, the operated area no longer develops excess fat, because the number of adipocytes has been drastically reduced. Nevertheless:

• Belly liposuction does not allow you tolose weight , nor is it a treatment for overweight;
• nor does it prevent you from gaining weight – the fat will just tend to be stored in other areas that are better endowed with adipocytes;
• it presupposes a healthy lifestyle, to maintain a harmonious silhouette, a healthy weight , prevention of the appearance of visceral fat (liposuction consists of removing only superficial fat).

What is the cost of belly liposuction?

The price depends on the hospitalization costs, the fees of the anesthetist and the surgeon, the technique used, the volume of fat to be removed and the general complexity of the operation.

In general, This cost varies between 2500 and 4000€.To the latter must be added the cost of medication and restraint.

Finally, be aware that liposuction of the bellydoes not give rise to any reimbursement from Social Security or mutuals, since it is a purely aesthetic medical act (called “comfort”. The only cases derogating from this rule are:

• the proven presence of lipedema (syndrome resulting in abnormal fat storage);
• reconstructive surgery following drastic weight loss;
• Launois-Bensaude disease (appearance of lipomas on the upper body but can spread to the belly).