Liposuction (VASER)

Liposuction removes localized fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise, using fine cannulas. With VASER technology the fat is first emulsified with ultrasound waves; this means less trauma, less bruising and better skin retraction.

The abdomen, waist, back, arms, inner and outer thighs and the area under the chin are the most commonly treated areas. Multiple areas are treated in a single session, within the safe limit for the amount of fat removed.

Planning is done standing at the examination; fat deposits, skin elasticity, and the underlying muscle wall are assessed separately. The total volume of fat to be removed is kept within a safe limit set by body weight; rather than exceeding this limit, a second session is planned. The date is not confirmed until preoperative blood tests and, if needed, an anesthesia consultation are complete.

In every liposuction technique, fat is removed by vacuum through cannulas after tumescent fluid is infused under the skin; the difference is how the fat is loosened. The classic (SAL) method uses only cannula movement, PAL vibrates the cannula, laser melts fat with heat, and VASER uses ultrasound to separate fat cells selectively; the choice depends on area and skin.

The technique alone does not determine the result; from what depth, how much, and how evenly the fat is removed matters more. VASER is the primary method at our clinic; it is finished off with classic cannulas in areas that need a fine contour.

In Istanbul, liposuction is most often done on the abdomen, waist and flanks, back, upper arms, inner and outer thighs, inner knees, and the chin. Several neighboring areas, such as the abdomen, waist, and back, can be treated in one session; the limit is set not by area count but by a safe total fat volume based on body weight.

360 liposuction shapes the front and back of the torso — abdomen, waist, flanks, and back — as a whole in the same session, with the patient turned over during surgery. When fat is taken only from the abdomen, deposits on the waist and back can stand out; the 360 approach defines the waistline from every angle. Because the volume increases, general health, blood values, and surgery duration are assessed more carefully.

• Abdomen (upper and lower abdomen, around the navel)
• Waist and flanks — defines the waistline
• Back (bra line and above the waist)
• Upper arms
• Inner thighs and outer thighs (hips)
• Inner knees
• Chin and under the jaw (small volume; often under local anesthesia)
• Male chest (with gynecomastia correction if needed)

The decision rests on skin elasticity and the muscle wall. Firm skin, a localized fat deposit, and an intact muscle wall mean liposuction is enough; sagging skin, widespread stretch marks, and abdominal muscles separated by pregnancy or weight loss mean removing fat alone would worsen the sag, so a tummy tuck is needed instead.

Three questions are asked at the examination. Does the skin spring back quickly when pinched and released? Skin that springs back slowly tends to look looser once the fat is removed. Does the skin fold below the navel when you sit? A noticeable fold favors a tummy tuck. Does the midline of the abdomen bulge when you lie on your back and lift your head? That is a sign of muscle separation, corrected only with sutures, not by removing fat. When both pictures overlap, the two procedures are planned together in the same session.

In postpartum patients, two problems are usually present together: excess skin and muscle separation in the lower abdomen, and fat accumulation in the waist and flanks. In this case, a tummy tuck is combined with waist and flank liposuction in the same session; if the excess skin is limited and the area above the navel is fine, a mini tummy tuck with liposuction may be enough.

Hi-Def liposuction removes fat selectively to reveal the muscle lines beneath, rather than simply reducing fat; the goals are six-pack lines on the abdomen, lines under the chest and along the flanks, and, in women, a softer midline and waistline. It suits people with low body fat, firm skin, and a regular exercise habit, not those with general excess fat.

Work is done deeper over the muscle bulges and more superficially in the grooves between them, so the muscle contour and the lines between them stand out. VASER's selective action allows this superficial work to be fine-tuned without damaging the skin. In men the goal is defined blocks and a V-line; in women it is an athletic, softer midline and flank lines, planned conservatively since over-defining can look masculine on a woman.

The Hi-Def result changes along with weight: with marked weight gain, the remaining fat cells enlarge and the grooves blur; with significant weight loss, the lines can look out of proportion. For this reason, Hi-Def liposuction is recommended for people whose weight has been stable for at least six months and who have an established exercise habit.

A stay of about 6–7 days in Istanbul is generally recommended for liposuction, covering the examination and tests, the surgery, one night in the hospital, the first lymphatic drainage sessions, and the check-up where clearance to fly is given. In most patients, flying is approved 5–7 days after surgery, once the entry points close and the surgeon gives clearance.

Exact timing depends on the number of areas treated. The plan below is for liposuction covering one or a few areas; staying 1–3 days longer should be expected if 360 liposuction or a tummy tuck is added. On a long flight, the main concern is clot prevention (deep vein thrombosis): getting up to walk every hour, moving your ankles while seated, wearing compression stockings, and drinking plenty of water are recommended, and your surgeon may also prescribe a blood-thinning injection if needed.

• Arrival day — Standing examination, photographs and measurements, blood tests, anesthesia consultation; garment size is determined.
• Surgery day — Standing markings in the morning, 1–3 hours under general anesthesia; the garment is fitted in the operating room, overnight observation in the hospital.
• Day 1 after surgery — Discharge after a dressing and garment check; resting at the hotel, a few minutes of walking every hour.
• Days 2–4 — The period when swelling and bruising are most noticeable; the first lymphatic drainage sessions begin, and clearance for showering is obtained.
• Days 5–6 — Check-up: assessment of entry points and seroma, a second drainage session, home-care instructions, and clearance to fly.
• Days 6–7 — Return flight wearing the garment and compression stockings.
• After returning home — Remote check-ups by photograph at week 2 and months 1, 3, and 6.

The first six weeks after liposuction are when the result takes shape; the garment, lymphatic drainage, and activity routine help swelling subside, the skin adhere to its new contour, and the risk of seroma decrease. Swelling increases over the first 3–4 days, starts to subside from week 2, and recedes substantially by week 6; firmness under the skin can last 3–6 months. Looking slimmer in the morning and more swollen in the evening is normal during this period.

• Garment: worn continuously except for bathing for the first 4–6 weeks, snug but not tight enough to restrict breathing; it is kept smooth, since folds can leave temporary marks on the skin.
• Lymphatic drainage: 2–3 sessions a week from the first week onward, totaling 6–10 sessions for most patients; gentle stroking in the direction of lymph flow, not firm pressure.
• Showering: a warm shower is usually allowed from day 2–3 with the surgeon's approval; baths, pools, the sea, and saunas are postponed for at least 3–4 weeks.
• Activity: short walks every hour from day one; brisk walking and light cardio from weeks 3–4, with weight training and abdominal exercises added gradually after week 6.
• Diet: a low-salt diet limits swelling; a protein-rich diet and plenty of water support healing; alcohol is not advised for the first 2 weeks.
• Sun: the treated area is protected from the sun until bruising clears; otherwise permanent discoloration can develop.
• Warning signs: one-sided leg swelling, shortness of breath, fever above 38 °C (100.4 °F), redness or discharge at an entry point, or a fluctuant fluid sensation (seroma) should be reported to the team without delay.

The main factors that determine the cost of liposuction are the number of areas treated and the total fat volume, the technique used (VASER, Hi-Def), whether a procedure such as a tummy tuck is added in the same session, the anesthesia type and hospital stay, and accommodation, transfers, and the drainage and check-up schedule.

Because these items vary from person to person, a written plan is prepared instead of a single list price. The number of areas is the most visible factor but is not decisive on its own: two small areas and a 360 liposuction covering the whole torso do not take the same time, and Hi-Def work takes longer than standard fat removal. When a tummy tuck or fat transfer is added, the surgery time, hospital stay, and garment-drainage plan all change.

Under Turkey's regulation on promotional and informational activities in health services, our website does not publish prices or promotional offers; the cost is communicated through a written plan covering every item after the examination. When comparing, we recommend checking, alongside the total amount, how many areas and how many drainage sessions are included, and how a second session would be planned if one is needed.