What is Liposuction, and Who Can Undergo It?

Liposuction is not primarily a weight-loss method but rather a body contouring procedure designed to shape the body aesthetically. It is popular among men as well as women. In particular, the rise of the VASER liposuction technique and its promising results have led many men to choose liposuction, especially for gynecomastia (male breast reduction).

​​​​​Although many people view it as a weight-loss method, liposuction is actually a body-shaping procedure. Briefly, liposuction involves the removal of fat from the body by suctioning it out through a special tube using negative pressure. While it’s typically done for women’s waist and hip areas, it has also gained interest among men in recent years. Prof. Dr. Haluk Duman, an expert in Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery at Anadolu Medical Center, emphasizes that liposuction is often used as an adjunct treatment in cosmetic surgeries and shares important insights on the topic in the following sections.

How is Liposuction Performed?

In liposuction surgery, which is done under local anesthesia for smaller cases and general anesthesia for larger ones, the areas where fat will be removed are first marked on the patient. A special fluid is administered to the patient to help break down fat tissue slightly, making the procedure go more smoothly with minimal bleeding and pain. The procedure is generally performed through small incisions, about 3-4 mm in size. Following the surgery, the patient is fitted with a compression garment to wear for the first month. In addition to the traditional method, laser and VASER techniques, which come with a lower risk of bleeding and pain, also yield successful results in liposuction.

In the laser method, fat is burned through light, while in VASER, ultrasound sound waves are used to break down the fat. Both approaches aim to accelerate the post-surgery recovery process. Particularly for liposuction in the abdominal and chest areas in men, laser and VASER techniques have shown highly successful outcomes.

Who is Suitable for Liposuction?

Although liposuction can be performed on almost anyone, a thorough evaluation of the patient is essential beforehand. It is also important to inform patients accurately about what results can be expected. As previously mentioned, it should be understood that liposuction is not primarily a weight-loss method but a body-shaping procedure. For instance, in patients with loose and soft subcutaneous tissue in areas like the abdomen or hips, they should be informed that the desired tightening may not be achieved through liposuction alone. In some cases, liposuction may not be sufficient as a standalone treatment. For example, in extremely overweight patients, some areas, such as intra-abdominal fat, cannot be reached surgically. While fat in the belly area can be reduced (a thickness of 3-4 cm can be slimmed down to 1 cm), intra-abdominal fat cannot be removed, which means achieving a perfectly flat stomach may not be possible. For these patients, special post-surgery dietary recommendations are provided to help them lose weight. As the body reshapes, its "memory" helps eliminate any irregularities that might arise post-surgery. Therefore, ideal results cannot be guaranteed with liposuction alone.

Liposuction is also effectively used as an auxiliary method in surgeries for inner thigh and arm lifts, especially in older patients. For instance, in addition to performing liposuction just for a double chin, a facelift can be done simultaneously.

Can Weight be Gained Again After Liposuction?

Yes, it is possible, as not all fat in the body is removed during the procedure. The biological fact is that the number of fat cells in the body remains constant; only the size of these cells changes. As a person gains weight, the area occupied by fat cells expands. Therefore, patients should follow their doctor’s recommendations post-procedure and remember that they can still gain weight.

Why Do Men Get Liposuction?

In recent years, we’ve observed that liposuction is now as popular among men as it is among women. Specifically, the increased popularity and visible results of the HD VASER liposuction technique have led many men to undergo liposuction, especially for gynecomastia (male breast reduction). Women, on the other hand, tend to use the procedure more for their waist and hip areas.