During the initial consultation, the doctor will determine whether you are a suitable candidate for liposculpture and lipofilling treatment and whether there are any contraindications (for example, an increased risk of thrombosis). During this time, the doctor will evaluate if and how much fat can be removed and will look at where liposculpture should be performed to get the best possible result from the lipofilling. In addition, you will discuss what result to expect, the risks and the aftercare. The doctor will advise you whether one or two lipofillings are necessary to achieve the desired end result. Lastly, you will be asked about your medical history and what medications you are currently taking. You must stop using blood thinning medications at least one week before the treatment.

You will receive a preoperative prescription for a course of antibiotics for one week which will serve as coverage for the procedure. Along with it, an antiseptic iodized soap with which you cleanse yourself the day before, and the morning before the procedure.

Before the procedure, the doctor will accurately mark the areas to be treated and photographs will be taken for your medical file. A fine cannula is used to insert the tumescent anesthetic. Once the anesthetic is working, the incisions are made. We employ the “Vibro” liposculpture which uses a vibrating cannula. This liquefies the fat cells, and allows the fat to be easily removed (with little suction) without damaging the surrounding tissue. The result is a lifting of the skin, this in combination with the elastic pantyhose. The duration of a procedure varies between 3 and 3.5 hours.

Only living fat cells, which receive blood again after they are inserted at their destination, remain alive and must therefore be treated with great precision and inserted as quickly as possible. For this reason, the living fat cells are introduced drop by drop, evenly distributed with a very thin cannula into the previously marked areas. In this way, at least 70 – 80 % of the fat cells remain alive, providing that there is a sufficient blood supply at the destination. The limiting factor is, therefore, not whether you have enough fat cells available to move, but whether there are enough blood vessels available at the destination to keep the inserted cells alive. In addition, the pressure in the donor area should not be too high as this will lead to necrosis of the infiltrated fat.

After the procedure

After the treatment, the small incisions are covered with a transparent adhesive patch. After one week, the plasters are removed during the first check-up. The incisions are so small that no visible scars remain. You will be given an elastic, compressive pantyhose which must be worn day and night for 6 weeks. Sanitary napkins are taped over the pantyhose to prevent leakage. After the treatment you will continue to experience leakage until the next morning. During the treatment not all tumescence fluid is removed and some wound fluid may come out. The sanitary napkin should be removed at the latest the next morning. After the treatment you can go home, but you may not drive. So make sure you bring someone who can drive you home.

After pain and recovery

The numbing effect of the tumescent fluid continues for a few hours. You may experience discomfort after the treatment due to bruising and stiffness; a light painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen is sufficient. The treated area is sensitive for the first week but it’s important to keep moving (carefully). You can shower (bath after 10 days) the first day after the operation, at night with the pantyhose on. The swelling usually disappears within four weeks. Most people return to work after a few days to a week, some even earlier for sedentary work.

Immediately after treatment, you will see little difference compared to your previous state. The treated area is swollen, it often takes four weeks before it can subside and the first results are visible. After a few days, there is already a nice improvement in the shapes of the body. The final result can only be assessed after six to twelve months. In that period, the skin adapts to the new contour and is lifted. You will have a final check-up after twelve months and final pictures will be taken.

Due to the sophisticated technique we use at Lipocentrum Maastricht, complications are rare. Complications that can occur after any surgery are bruises, infections, numbness (temporarily), poor wound healing and an allergic reaction. Another complication that can occur after any surgical procedure is the risk of thrombosis. Therefore, regular exercise or staying in motion is highly recommended.