Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures worldwide. During the procedure, doctors insert a cannula into the fatty tissue and remove excess fat cells. Liposuction can be performed on almost any area of the body. Here you will find further information as well as selected doctors and centers for liposuction.
It usually begins after the age of 30: small fat deposits develop on the hips, legs, and especially the abdomen. With diet and exercise, these unwanted shapes are often difficult to address in the long term.
For this reason, many women choose to have excess fat tissue removed through liposuction in a clinic or private practice. Increasingly, men are also turning to a surgical solution for their problem.
Liposuction, also known as liposuction surgery, is always performed for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons.
Unwanted fat deposits particularly affect the overall appearance of body proportions in the following areas:
This not only affects body image but also the patient’s self-confidence. Through liposuction, patients seek to permanently improve and enhance their body shape.
Liposuction is not a matter of age, but it should be performed when the skin is still firm and elastic.
Fat deposits can be removed by liposuction © TATIANA | AdobeStock
Liposuction can be performed on almost any part of the body. The procedure is most commonly used to correct the following aesthetic concerns:
One important question is whether health insurance covers the cost of liposuction.
Both the cost and the length of stay depend on the area of the body and whether the procedure is performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis:
Liposuction is generally a self-pay procedure since it falls under the category of aesthetic surgery. It is therefore considered a lifestyle treatment.
Talk to your doctor to determine whether there may be medical reasons for the procedure. In that case, it may be worthwhile to apply to your health insurance provider.
Since the G-BA resolution of July 17, 2025, liposuction for lipedema has been recognized as a standard benefit of statutory health insurance under certain conditions – regardless of the stage of the disease.
Patients may need to obtain compression garments or support stockings before the operation. In some cases, these are provided by the clinic. This should be clarified with the treating physician.
Because pain relievers such as aspirin can impair blood clotting, they should be avoided for 14 days before surgery. The use of alcohol and sleeping pills is also not recommended.
Required preoperative examinations are performed at the clinic the day before surgery.
Liposuction is an individualized procedure. The technique may vary from patient to patient. The most common methods are vibration-assisted liposuction and water-jet assisted liposuction.
The type of anesthesia (general or local) depends on the area treated and the extent of the procedure.
Sometimes, it may be necessary to remove excess skin in addition to fat during the procedure.
Every plastic surgery procedure requires careful planning to reduce complications and support faster recovery.
In patients with lipedema, the diseased fat tissue can be removed particularly gently using the tumescent technique, which preserves as much of the surrounding tissue as possible.
Liposuction is usually performed on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia if only small corrections are required. Patients receive pain medication intravenously.
Larger procedures are usually performed under general anesthesia. If the hips or legs are treated, spinal anesthesia may be used.
Depending on the extent of liposuction, patients may need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 8 days. Physical activity should be limited for four to six weeks.
As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection. Patients should discuss this in detail with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
By Paravis - Michael S. Schwartz, M.D., CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Before the actual liposuction, the surgeon marks the fat deposits on the body with contour lines.
The goal of liposuction is not simply to remove fat cells but to create a new, smooth contour in the treated area.
The surgeon carefully palpates the fat deposits under the skin, deciding which tissue to remove and which to preserve.
During liposuction, the surgeon makes a small incision 0.5–1 cm long in a discreet area, such as the navel or the buttock crease. Through this incision, a cannula is inserted into the fat tissue.
The excess fat is then suctioned out. Depending on the size and location of the fat deposits, the procedure can take 20 minutes to 2 hours.
The removed fat is collected and measured to ensure equal amounts are removed from both sides.
After liposuction, the surgeon closes the incision. Patients are fitted with compression garments, support stockings, or bandages while still in the operating room.
Illustration of skin layers and the cannula used to remove fat © designua | AdobeStock
Like any surgery, liposuction carries certain risks. After the procedure, patients may experience changes in sensation such as numbness in the treated areas. These may last several weeks.
Other possible complications include:
In very rare cases, embolisms can occur as a complication of liposuction, requiring intensive medical care.
In some cases, bruising or scar tissue may form after liposuction. These are visible as unevenness on the skin surface.
Possible causes include:
If bruising and scar tissue do not resolve after several weeks, a follow-up procedure may be required.
With extensive liposuction, there may be significant fluid or blood loss.
This can be corrected with IV fluids or blood transfusions.
During preoperative preparation, the doctor must know if the patient:
In the latter case, tests should be performed before liposuction to rule out a blood clotting disorder.
Doctors performing liposuction © ilyaska | AdobeStock
Immediately after liposuction, patients usually experience mild pain and bruising, which typically resolve within days to weeks.
Swelling of the treated area is also common and can last up to three months.
The small scars from the incisions fade over time and become barely visible. The final results of liposuction are usually visible after 6 to 9 months.
Liposuction involving larger amounts of fat removal may cause temporary inability to work. In most cases, however, patients experience only mild limitations.
In the first weeks after surgery, patients should avoid:
To promote circulation and support healing, cold showers can be helpful.
For about 6 weeks after liposuction, patients must wear the following garments day and night:
This prevents unwanted scar formation in the hollow spaces created by liposuction.
These scars are caused by:
About one week after liposuction, the doctor should remove the stitches and perform a follow-up exam.
After the removal of excess fat deposits and contouring of the treated areas, the body appears slimmer and more well-proportioned. Body shape can be improved as a result.
However, liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss. Liposuction can only target specific areas with stubborn fat deposits, not reduce overall body weight.
There are now many specialists and clinics for liposuction. Comparing services, costs, and patient reviews is therefore worthwhile.
When choosing a suitable clinic or qualified surgeon for liposuction, you should look for the following quality criteria:
In addition to aftercare and emergency services, any cosmetic surgery requires a strong level of trust in the surgeon.
Liposuction is always one of the most personal surgical procedures for patients.
The Leading Medicine Guide's quality assurance is ensured by the following acceptance prerequisites.
