Liposuction Frankfurt: For a new, slim body feeling!

Introduction

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a procedure in plastic and aesthetic surgery in which fatty tissue is surgically removed. Liposuction is usually performed for aesthetic reasons to remove unwanted fat deposits and define the body silhouette. In some cases, however, there are also medical reasons, such as lipoedema (abnormal fat distribution disorder), which make liposuction necessary.

Who is liposuction suitable for?

Liposuction is suitable for all patients who suffer from fat deposits that persist despite dieting and exercise and make their figure look unflattering. It does not matter in which part of the body the fat deposits are located.

Liposuction can be performed on classic problem areas such as the stomach, hips or bottom, as well as on the neck, chin or male chest. A common indication is lipoedema, which occurs predominantly in women but rarely in men. This involves an uncontrolled increase in fatty tissue on the arms and legs, which is often very sensitive to pain and pressure and severely restricts the quality of life of those affected. As conservative treatment can only delay the progression at best, liposuction is the only way to permanently remove the fat deposits and alleviate the symptoms in the long term.

However, liposuction is not suitable for pure weight reduction. You should have already reached your comfortable weight before liposuction and have successfully maintained it for some time. With the help of liposuction, Dr. Nichlos can then remove the last unwanted fat deposits and optimize the contours of your body so that you feel completely comfortable again.

Methods

What methods are available for liposuction?

Since the early days of liposuction in the mid-1970s, the methods of liposuction have developed steadily so that several surgical procedures are now available. They differ in terms of procedure and offer various advantages:

Tumescent liposuction (TAL method)

The standard method and the most commonly used liposuction procedure is tumescent-assisted liposuction (TAL for short). This involves first injecting a large amount of a so-called tumescent solution into the treatment area, which has an anaesthetic effect and also loosens the fat cells so that they can then be loosened and suctioned off more easily. TAL allows the low-risk suctioning of larger amounts of fat.

Vibration liposuction (VAL or PAL method)

Vibration-assisted liposuction (short: VAL (Vibration Assisted Liposuction), sometimes also called PAL (“Power Assisted Liposuction”)) uses vibrating cannulas during liposuction. They make it easier to detach the fat cells so that they can be suctioned out evenly. This gentle and low-risk method is very suitable for precise body contouring, even in difficult areas such as the knee or back, and is also used in lipedema treatment for liposuction.

Laser lipolysis (LAL method)

Fast, gentle and low-risk laser lipolysis or laser-assisted liposuction (LAL for short) also uses a tumescent solution to loosen the fat cells, but then uses a medical laser in addition to the suction cannula. This laser uses two wavelengths, one of which liquefies the fat cells and the other tightens the skin and stimulates the body’s own regeneration and collagen production. This improves the appearance of the skin and achieves a good tightening effect, which even makes additional tightening of the abdomen, thighs or upper arms unnecessary when removing smaller fat deposits.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL method)

This gentle and low-risk procedure also involves liquefying the fat cells in advance. Ultrasound is used to cause the fat cells to burst before they are suctioned out using a conventional cannula. This method also allows precise modeling of the treatment areas. It is also very suitable for treating firm areas (e.g. back). If there is little excess skin, it can already achieve a tightening effect on the skin, as the skin shrinks slightly due to the intense heat of the ultrasound.

Water-jet assisted liposuction (WAL method)

In water-jet assisted liposuction (WAL for short), a device is inserted together with the suction cannula, which injects a fan-shaped jet of water into the fatty tissue. This gently loosens the fat cells from the tissue, which are then directly suctioned out via the cannula. For smaller excess fat, the treatment can be performed without general anesthesia.

Preparation

What happens before liposuction?

Before the treatment, we invite you to a detailed consultation with Dr. Nichlos at our practice in Frankfurt. During this consultation, which takes place in a relaxed atmosphere, the plastic surgeon would first like to find out more about you and your wishes and goals associated with liposuction. Dr. Nichlos will also carry out an initial physical examination of the areas with unwanted fat deposits.

If liposuction is an option for you, Dr. Nichlos will explain the treatment procedure to you in detail and inform you about the associated risks. You can of course ask questions about the procedure at any time, which the specialist will be happy to answer in detail.

To prevent complications during and after the treatment, it is important that you inform us in advance of any allergies, intolerances and previous illnesses and, if available, provide us with a medication plan. Blood-thinning medication in particular is problematic and should be temporarily discontinued before liposuction (after consultation with the doctor).

Procedure

How does liposuction work?

For liposuction, come to the Berger Klinik in Frankfurt. Here, Dr. Nichlos performs liposuction in a state-of-the-art operating room. Depending on the indication, the operation is performed on an outpatient basis or with a short hospital stay under general or local anesthesia and takes about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the extent of the procedure.

Before the procedure, Dr. Nichlos will mark the areas with the fat deposits to be removed. As soon as the anesthetic takes effect and you are asleep, the specialist injects a so-called tumescent solution into these areas. This ensures that the fatty tissue separates from the surrounding tissue and the fat cells can be suctioned out more easily. At the same time, the tumescent solution reduces bleeding and has an anaesthetic effect, meaning that a general anaesthetic is not always necessary for smaller liposuctions.

After a certain exposure time (approx. 30 to 40 minutes), Dr. Nichlos uses a scalpel to make small incisions in the skin, through which he inserts fine cannulas into the fat deposits. Using gentle movements, he loosens the fatty tissue and sucks out the excess fat cells until the body contour is shaped as desired. He then sutures the small incisions in the skin or uses special plasters. Finally, he will apply a bandage or compression garment to reduce swelling.

Aftercare

What happens after liposuction in Frankfurt?

After liposuction, you will wear the bandage or compression garment for 4 to 6 weeks. In the first 10 days after your liposuction, please wear it continuously so that the pressure on the operated area remains constant, no fluid can collect and swelling subsides better.

To support the healing process, you should also make an appointment with a physiotherapist or masseur for lymphatic drainage early on (preferably a few days after the operation). The gentle massage removes excess fluids and toxins from the tissue and relieves pain. It also helps to prevent the development of seromas (fluid accumulations). In the first few weeks after the operation, 1 to 2 sessions per week are recommended.

Please also remember to take it easy physically in the initial period after the operation. If possible, avoid strenuous housework and do not exercise. You will usually be able to work and socialize one week after liposuction.

Approximately one month after your liposuction, the swelling from the operation will have subsided to such an extent that the preliminary result of the treatment can be assessed during the follow-up check. The final result of the liposuction will be visible after about a year.

Risks

What are the possible risks and complications associated with liposuction?

As a surgical procedure, liposuction is associated with general surgical risks, including post-operative bleeding, wound healing disorders and infections. However, these can be minimized by the professional performance of an experienced specialist such as Dr. Nichlos and compliance with the strictest hygiene guidelines at our practice in Frankfurt. Nevertheless, side effects may occur in rare cases, such as temporary feelings of tension or numbness in the treatment area. Experience has shown that these subside within a short time, as do redness, bruising or swelling in the operated areas. Despite the greatest care, it cannot always be ruled out that slightly irregular contours or small dents may be visible in the skin after the operation.