Liposuction is a technique invented in France in the 70’s. It was developed by Doctor Yves-Gérard ILLOUZ, a French surgeon.
Since then, liposuction has become one of the most practiced operations in the world.

The technique seems simple: excessive fat cells are sucked out with a cannula to redefine the silhouette. But this simple gesture is not that easy; the marriage of safety and results must be achieved...

- To guarantee your safety: ensure that your procedure is carried out by a fully qualified cosmetic surgeon, in a surgical environment recognised by the DDASS (Direction Départementale des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales), and the rules of the procedure are carefully followed, as well as the maximum volume allowed.

- Obtaining the best result using the last advanced thin cannulas, infiltrations 1 by 1, taking time, and above all having an eye for aesthetics.

With the good indication and the good practitioner we can redesign the silhouette on demand.

For whom?

Women and men from 18 (in exceptional circumstances during adolescence) to 55-60 years old, after which the skin’s ability to retract are diminished.

For which indications?

All the areas containing fat cells localised accumulations or zones of protruding fat. It is not meant to lose weight but to correct the silhouette (hence the term used body contouring). The main areas concerned are the abdomen, hips, outer thighs (saddle bags) and inner thighs; but also knees, calves, ankles, cheeks, arms and double chin.

What are the risks?

Apart from dangers resulting from the anaesthetic, there is also a real risk of phlebitis (early mobilisation), haematoma (rare and linked to the volume) and infection (exceptional a properly qualified practitioner is used). In fact all these risks are exceptional and we must concentrate more on the defects of the results (surface irregularities, post-operational cellulite, asymmetry: more frequent but can be corrected).

By whom?

It is a surgical procedure and the risks are limited provided that you go and see a professional. There are only little or no risks (or the risks are always minimised) when in good hands. To this day in France, only surgeons qualified in plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery and recognised as such by the Medical Board have had their full necessary training to give you these guarantees of skill and security.

How?

Under local anaesthetic (for small zones), spinal anaesthetic, or general.

In a perfect sterile environment, i.e. an accredited centre for the practice of cosmetic plastic surgery.

The technique is important: the more confidently the procedure is carried out, using fine cannulas, the less the risks of defects and bruises.

The duration of the operation depends on the number of areas: between 1 and 3 hours.

Outpatient or overnight stay, depending on the amount removed, to offer the maximum safety and compensate for fluid losses.

What are the after-effects?

The after-effects are usually minor, with a quick recovery within 24 to 48 hours for small liposuctions, to 10 days for the extensive ones. A compression garment (lipopanty) has to be worn for about 1 month, day and night, which will limit the bruises and will make the post operational oedema disappear. Immediate results to the silhouette can be seen under the lipopanty. The result already looks good after 1 month, but the final effects are really only visible after 6 months.

The future?

Used for the treatment of mass obesity (this involves heavy lifesaving surgery, as for a by-pass or gastric band operation).

Use of a laser which allows the breaking down of fat cells and facilitates liposuction.