Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical body-contouring procedure in which part of the subcutaneous fat is removed through a special thin tube called a cannula.

It is used in areas where localized fat deposits are difficult to reduce through diet and exercise alone. The most commonly treated areas include the abdomen, flanks, thighs, back, arms, chin, neck, and male chest.

The purpose of liposuction is to change the shape and proportions of specific areas of the body, not to significantly reduce overall body weight.

Fat cells removed from the treated area do not return in their previous numbers. However, if the patient gains weight, the remaining fat cells can enlarge and body contours may change again.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

The best liposuction results are generally achieved when the patient:

• has a body weight that is close to normal and relatively stable,
• has one or more localized fat deposits,
• has sufficiently elastic skin,
• is generally healthy,
• does not smoke or stops nicotine use before surgery.

Skin elasticity is important because the skin needs to adapt to the body’s new contour after fat is removed.

If significant excess or sagging skin is present in the abdominal area together with excess fat, liposuction alone may not be sufficient. In such cases, abdominoplasty may be required to remove excess skin and, when necessary, correct the abdominal wall.

Which areas can be treated with liposuction?

Abdomen and flanks

Liposuction of the abdomen and flanks is used to improve the waistline and reduce localized subcutaneous fat.

If the skin is sufficiently elastic, it usually adapts to the reduced volume. If there is significant sagging skin, tissue laxity, or separation of the abdominal muscles known as diastasis, liposuction alone will not correct the problem.

In such cases, it may be combined with abdominoplasty.

Chin and lower face

Chin liposuction is intended to reduce localized submental fat and create a more defined transition between the chin and neck.

Small-diameter cannulas and relatively small volumes are used in this area. The result also depends greatly on skin elasticity. If the skin is significantly lax, fat removal alone may not be sufficient.

Arms and underarm area

Arm liposuction is mainly performed for localized fat deposits in the upper arms.

If the skin has good elasticity, it may adapt to the new contour. When there is significant loose skin, brachioplasty, or arm lift surgery, may be more appropriate because it also removes excess skin.

A lump or fullness in the underarm area that appears to be fat is not always simply fatty tissue. In some people, accessory breast tissue may also be present and should be properly assessed first.

Back

Back liposuction may be used to reduce localized fat around the shoulder blades, bra-line area, waist, and lower back.

Fat tissue in some areas of the back is denser and more fibrous, so the surgeon may choose a technique that facilitates more even treatment.

Male chest

Liposuction of the male chest may be effective when the enlargement is mainly caused by fatty tissue.

In true gynecomastia, however, glandular breast tissue may not be adequately removed with liposuction alone and may require surgical excision.

Breast reduction in women

In selected cases where large breast volume is mainly due to fatty tissue and the skin has sufficient elasticity, liposuction may also be used.

If there is significant sagging, excess skin, or a large amount of glandular tissue, reduction mammoplasty is usually required to surgically reduce and lift the breasts.

Liposuction techniques

The basic goal of the different liposuction techniques is the same: to remove subcutaneous fat in a controlled manner and create as smooth a contour as possible.

Traditional liposuction

With traditional or suction-assisted liposuction, a cannula connected to a vacuum system is inserted into the subcutaneous fat layer through a small incision.

The fat is removed from the selected area using controlled movements of the cannula.

Tumescent liposuction

With the tumescent technique, a special fluid is first injected into the fatty tissue. It usually contains saline, a local anesthetic, and a vasoconstrictor.

The solution facilitates fat removal and reduces bleeding. Tumescent infiltration is now used as the basis for many forms of liposuction.

Power-assisted liposuction - PAL

In power-assisted liposuction, the cannula performs rapid small mechanical movements. This makes it easier to move through fatty tissue and may be particularly useful in large or fibrous treatment areas.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction

With this method, ultrasound energy is first applied to the fatty tissue, after which the fat is removed with a cannula.

The technique may be useful in certain dense and fibrous areas, although the use of thermal energy also carries a specific risk of burns or tissue damage.

Radiofrequency techniques

Radiofrequency technologies deliver thermal energy to subcutaneous tissues and are used particularly to improve skin tightness and body contours.

The Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Service at Nairi Medical Center offers ATTIVA RF technology to improve skin firmness, tone, and contours in different areas of the face and body. It may be used as a separate component of a body-contouring program, but it is a different procedure from liposuction.

How much fat can be removed during one procedure?

There is no single safe volume that applies to every patient. Body weight, the number of areas being treated, the overall volume removed, the patient’s health, and any other procedures performed at the same time are taken into account.

It is also important to distinguish between the amount of fat removed and the total aspirate. Total aspirate includes both fat and fluid removed during liposuction.

Removal of more than 5 liters of total aspirate is generally considered large-volume liposuction and requires specific safety measures and postoperative monitoring. With large volumes, it may sometimes be safer to divide the procedure into several stages.

Several areas may be treated during the same procedure, but as the number of treated areas increases, so do the duration of surgery, fluid loss, and the risk of complications.

The purpose of liposuction is not to remove as much fat as possible, but to achieve an even and natural body contour safely.

Liposuction or a non-surgical method?

Non-surgical fat-reduction methods may be useful for small localized deposits but do not produce the same degree of volume change as liposuction.

With cryolipolysis, fat cells are damaged through controlled cooling and are gradually eliminated by the body over the following months. After one treatment, the average reduction in the fat layer in the treated area is around 20%, with the result developing over several months.

Ultrasound and HIFU methods use energy to damage some fat cells. They are intended for small localized deposits rather than removal of large amounts of fat.

With injection lipolysis, substances that destroy fat cells are injected. FDA-approved deoxycholic acid is intended only for submental fat in adults. The FDA does not recommend its use in other areas of the body because of the potential for serious complications.

Diet and physical activity reduce overall body fat, but it is not possible to selectively reduce fat only from the abdomen, chin, or another specific area through diet.

Massage may affect swelling and tissue condition but does not remove fat cells and is not considered an alternative to liposuction.

When a significant localized fat deposit persists despite stable weight, liposuction generally provides a more predictable contour change than non-surgical methods.

Contraindications and factors that increase risk

Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity. In cases of significant excess weight, it is generally advisable to address body weight first and then assess whether a body-contouring procedure is needed.

Factors that may increase surgical risk include:

• uncontrolled diabetes,
• severe cardiovascular or lung disease,
• blood-clotting disorders,
• certain severe liver diseases,
• previous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism,
• active infection,
• smoking and nicotine use,
• other conditions that interfere with wound healing.

Liposuction is not performed during pregnancy. Elective aesthetic surgery is also postponed during breastfeeding.

How is liposuction performed at Nairi Medical Center?

The Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Service at Nairi Medical Center performs liposuction, tumescent liposuction, liposculpture, lipomodelling, and lipofilling. Liposuction is also performed on various areas of the body, including the thighs, knees, calves, and chin.

Before surgery, the following are assessed:

• the patient’s general health,
• body weight and its stability,
• the location of fat deposits,
• skin elasticity,
• previous surgeries,
• medications being taken,
• the risk of thrombosis and other surgical risks.

The necessary tests for surgery and anesthesia are performed.

Aspirin, anticoagulants, and other medications that affect bleeding should not be stopped without medical advice. Any changes should be made only in consultation with the prescribing physician and surgeon.

Smoking increases the risk of surgical complications and poor wound healing, so avoiding nicotine is important before surgery and during recovery.

Liposuction of small, limited areas may be performed under tumescent local anesthesia. General anesthesia is more commonly used for larger volumes or when several areas are treated.

During the procedure, the treatment areas are first marked, tumescent solution is injected, and then a cannula is inserted through small incisions to remove the required fatty tissue using controlled movements.

Liposuction usually takes approximately 1–3 hours, although the duration increases if several areas are treated or another procedure is performed at the same time.

After surgery, compression garments or dressings are used to reduce swelling and help the tissues adapt to the new contour.

Recovery after liposuction

The first 1–3 days. Swelling, bruising, soreness, and a feeling of tightness are common. A small amount of fluid may drain from the tiny incisions. Early walking is encouraged to reduce the risk of thrombosis.

The first week. Pain gradually decreases, although swelling remains noticeable. Compression garments are usually continued according to the surgeon’s instructions.

1–2 weeks. Many patients can return to desk-based work and normal daily activities. Recovery may take longer when larger areas have been treated.

3–4 weeks. Light physical exercise can usually be resumed gradually.

Over the following months. Swelling continues to decrease and the new body contour becomes more clearly defined. The final result may take up to approximately 6 months to stabilize.

Numbness or changes in skin sensation may persist for several weeks and usually improve gradually.

Lymphatic drainage massage after liposuction

Lymphatic drainage massage may help reduce postoperative swelling and promote the drainage of accumulated fluid.

According to a 2026 systematic review, postoperative manual lymphatic drainage was most commonly started 2–5 days after surgery, and the studied programs generally included 6–12 sessions. The most consistently supported effect was reduction in swelling, while evidence regarding pain and fibrosis was more variable.

Massage should use a gentle lymphatic drainage technique. Strong, painful, or aggressive massage is not advisable early in recovery because the tissues are still healing.

Diet after liposuction

There is no special diet. The most important factor for maintaining the result is keeping body weight stable over the long term.

It is recommended to:

• obtain sufficient protein from food,
• eat vegetables, fruits, and whole foods,
• limit very salty foods, especially when swelling is pronounced,
• drink enough fluids,
• maintain regular physical activity after recovery.

Very restrictive weight-loss diets are not advisable after surgery because the body requires adequate nutrients for tissue healing.

Possible risks and complications

Swelling, bruising, soreness, and temporary numbness are expected postoperative effects after liposuction.

Possible complications include:

• skin irregularities or asymmetry,
• seroma, or fluid accumulation,
• hematoma,
• prolonged changes in sensation,
• infection,
• poor wound healing,
• skin laxity,
• skin discoloration,
• rarely, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism,
• very rarely, fat embolism or injury to an internal organ.

Shortness of breath, chest pain, significant changes in heartbeat, worsening pain, high fever, or rapidly increasing swelling in the treated area require immediate medical evaluation.

Does the result of liposuction last?

Yes. The result can last for many years if body weight remains stable.

Fat cells removed during liposuction do not return in their previous numbers. However, the remaining fat cells can enlarge if the patient gains weight. As a result, even the treated area can become larger again, and the distribution of fat deposits throughout the body may change.

Liposuction at Nairi Medical Center

The Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Service at Nairi Medical Center performs:

• liposuction,
• tumescent liposuction,
• liposculpture,
• lipomodelling,
• lipofilling,
• chin liposuction,
• liposuction of the thighs, knees, and calves,
• body-contouring procedures combined with liposuction.

After appropriate processing, the removed fat can also be used for lipofilling, for example to adjust the volume of the breasts, buttocks, or certain areas of the face. Nairi Medical Center performs lipofilling procedures for the breasts, buttocks, and face.

ATTIVA RF technology is also available at the center’s Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Service to improve skin firmness and contours in selected areas of the face and body.

To book an appointment, call 89 00 or visit Nairi Medical Center at 21 Paronyan Street.