What is the Difference Between Liposuction and LAMS?
Anesthesia
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Liposuction: Sedation or general anesthesia is used, and the patient feels no pain and sleeps through the procedure.
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LAMS: Local anesthesia is used, and the patient may experience discomfort but remains awake.
Compression Underwear
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Liposuction: Patients wear compression underwear 24/7 for two weeks, followed by 2-4 weeks of wearing it only at home.
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LAMS: Compression underwear is not required. We recommend wearing leggings, tights, or a tight-fitting turtleneck for the first 2-3 days to reduce swelling.
Gel Polish Removal
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Liposuction: Gel polish needs to be removed before the procedure.
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LAMS: Gel polish removal is not necessary.
Refusal of Food and Nutrition
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Liposuction: Patients should refrain from eating and drinking for 8 hours before the procedure.
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LAMS: A hearty meal is recommended before the procedure.
Post-Rehabilitation
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Liposuction: Involves taking medication for 5 days.
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LAMS: Requires 3 procedures and medication for 3 days.
Stitches
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Liposuction: Small stitches (2-4 mm) are used and removed after 2 weeks.
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LAMS: No stitches are used, and removal is not required.
Effectiveness
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Liposuction: Highly effective (100%).
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LAMS: Effective (85-95%).
Price
- LAMS is approximately 20% cheaper than traditional liposuction because it does not require hospitalization, general anesthesia, and additional medications.
Brief Information about the Procedure
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Procedure Duration: 1-3 hours
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Type of Anesthesia: Local anesthesia
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Hospitalization: 1-2 hours
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Return to Normal Life: The next day
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Clinic Visits: 2-3 times
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Stitches Removal: Not required
Why do patients consider LAMS liposuction?
Patients may consider LAMS liposuction for several reasons:
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Removal of fat deposits: One of the primary reasons people turn to liposuction is the desire to eliminate fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. These deposits are often genetically determined and commonly found in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, back, or arms.
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Body contour improvement: Liposuction can help enhance the overall contour and shape of the body, creating a more streamlined appearance. This is especially relevant for individuals who are close to their ideal weight but want to improve specific areas that appear bulky and less aesthetic.
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Boosting self-esteem and confidence: Many patients view liposuction as a way to increase their self-esteem and self-confidence. Improving one’s physical appearance can have a positive impact on a person’s psychological well-being, leading to increased self-satisfaction and comfort.
Who is a suitable candidate for liposuction?
An ideal candidate for liposuction should meet the following criteria:
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Close to ideal weight: The best candidates for liposuction are typically within 30% of their ideal weight. Liposuction is not a method for significant weight loss but rather a way to address localized fat deposits.
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Good health: Candidates should be in good overall health, without serious medical conditions that could hinder healing or increase the risk of complications.
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Realistic expectations: It’s essential to have realistic expectations regarding the results of liposuction. While it can significantly improve appearance, it may not entirely reshape the body or resolve issues related to excess weight.
Why South Korea?
South Korea is the only country where the LAMS (Local Anesthesia Liposuction) procedure is available. There are no equivalents to LAMS, making it the sole option for those seeking liposuction under local anesthesia. Local doctors are considered the most educated and competitive globally, as only 0.01% of medical school graduates become plastic surgeons here. Korea’s medical equipment is on par with the quality of the USA and Germany, ranking it among the top three countries with the best technical equipment in clinics.
All liposuction procedures are performed in accredited clinics authorized to treat foreign patients, with in-house anesthesiologists. Surgeons operating on our patients have between 15 to 30 years of experience specializing in liposuction and perform no more than 2 surgeries per day. Please fill out the form to calculate the treatment cost, conduct a preliminary consultation, and prepare a plan for your trip to South Korea for the surgery.
How to prepare for lams liposuction in South Korea
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Take a shower: Before the procedure, take a shower and have a good meal. Stay hydrated.
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Avoid certain medications: Refrain from taking aspirin, ibuprofen (including Advil or Motrin), and other medications that may increase the risk of excessive bleeding for two weeks before the surgery. Tylenol is prohibited only for three days before the operation.
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Quit smoking: Avoid smoking, including hookah and e-cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow down tissue healing. Your surgeon may recommend quitting smoking before the surgery. Some doctors may refuse to operate on patients who smoke due to the high risk of complications.
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Review your medical history: Be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses and any recent medications you have taken. Please do not withhold this information from the surgeon and coordinators.
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Consult with the surgeon: Schedule a consultation with the surgeon and show them photos of your desired results. Try to select photos where the patient’s body type is similar to yours.
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Bring recent medical tests: If you have had tests done less than a month ago, you can bring them with you. Otherwise, necessary tests will be conducted in Korea.
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Arrange transportation: Ask someone to drive you to the clinic or assist you after the surgery if you plan to arrive by car.
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Prepare essentials: Place items near your bed that you may need during your recovery, such as lip balm, water, a chocolate bar, or your mobile phone.
Liposuction procedure
Before taking the patient into the operating room, the surgeon sketches a design on the body. Don’t worry about marker traces as they will be wiped away with warm towels after the procedure.
Before the procedure begins, the patient is escorted to the restroom, asked about their well-being, and positioned on the operating table. The procedure area is disinfected, and the patient’s limbs are secured with straps to minimize movement. Blood pressure is measured, and the surgeon administers a pain-relieving injection (usually in the buttocks) to start the procedure. Tiny incisions are made initially, followed by the injection of a medical solution under the skin, which turns solid subcutaneous fat into liquid. After a few minutes, the surgeon starts the suction process using a small cannula.
After completing the fat suction procedure, any remaining fluid is removed from the incisions, and the operation area is dried with towels. Medical pads are applied to prevent any remaining fluid from soaking the patient’s clothing. The patient is then assisted to the recovery room for rest and recuperation.
What to expect after surgery
Relief. The procedure may not be the most pleasant experience you’ve had in your life. We have had patients who fell asleep and others who held the coordinator’s hand during the process.
In any case, it will all be over quickly, and after you relax, you will be offered some orange juice to speed up your recovery. You’ll be encouraged to walk around the clinic’s corridors for 5-10 minutes to check how you’re feeling. If you don’t experience symptoms like nausea and dizziness, the clinic staff will prepare you for discharge. You can change clothes, collect your medications and recommendations, and go home.
Every time you move and exert the area where the surgery was performed, you will feel discomfort similar to muscle soreness. However, there will be no painful sensations at rest, and within 5-7 days, your body will recover.
Schedule a consultation with the clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon today!
You can book a consultation by filling out the QUESTIONNAIRE or contacting us via phone or messaging app at +82-10-4214-9603.
Recovery process and post-liposuction procedures
Immediately after the procedure: Pain at rest is absent, and medical fluid may discharge from the incisions (don’t be alarmed if it’s red). You can leave the clinic within 1-2 hours after the surgery if you don’t experience symptoms like nausea, weakness, or dizziness. By evening, you can remove and discard the medical pads, but we recommend placing an old towel under the procedure area to avoid staining your bedding.
Days 1-2: The operated area starts to swell, and bruises may appear. Active movements can cause discomfort. Try to move and walk as much as possible to reduce swelling and accelerate recovery.
Days 3-7: Swelling reaches its peak and gradually begins to decrease. Hematomas (if present) start to turn yellow. Both swelling and hematomas can move lower from the procedure area, such as from hips to knees, knees to calves, or underarm pits to elbows or chest. Don’t be alarmed; this is a natural part of rehabilitation.
Days 7-14: Reduction in swelling, possible disappearance of hematomas, and a return to normal life. Regular long walks are recommended for faster recovery.
Days 14-21: Patients can perform everyday activities without discomfort. Intensive workouts and physical exercises should still be avoided. Compression garments can be removed briefly.
Days 21-30: Swelling continues to subside, and a new shape of the liposuction area gradually emerges.
Days 31-60: Residual swelling diminishes, symmetry is restored, and you can start engaging in sports, swimming in the sea or pool.
Days 60-90: Swelling completely subsides, and the rehabilitation process concludes.
6 months after the surgery: Full recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
We provide our patients with a final cost that includes post-operative care, anesthesia, room stay, medications, and even VAT (which can be refunded as tax-free). The cost of LAMS is 80-85% of the cost of traditional liposuction, ranging from 4,000,000 to 8,000,000 KRW for legs, 3,000,000 to 6,000,000 KRW for arms, and 2,400,000 to 7,800,000 KRW for the abdomen.
Slightly shorter than traditional liposuction, approximately 1-1.5 hours.
With a properly performed operation, skin sensitivity will fully return within three months after surgery (usually within 2-3 weeks).
There is no need to remove stitches after LAMS.
In the areas where the incisions were made, small red dots measuring 2-4mm will be visible for several weeks. Approximately 2 months later, they will start to fade, and within 6-12 months, they will almost completely disappear. If you want to accelerate the process, don't forget to apply scar-reducing ointment or use silicone patches.
You can return to your regular activities as early as the day after the operation.
The procedure can be performed from the age of 16 with the consent of a guardian
Within a month, most of the swelling will subside, and you will be able to see the new shape of your body. However, the final result will be visible within 3-6 months.
If the operation was performed by an experienced surgeon, and you followed the rehabilitation guidelines, there should be no irregularities.
Within 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Fat can be removed from two complex areas, such as arms + abdomen, abdomen + legs, legs + back. If you want to remove fat from 3-4 areas, you will need to undergo the operation twice with a minimum 24-hour break, for example, arms and abdomen on one day, and legs and back 2-3 days later. This approach is safe for the patient.
Skin itching may occur due to wearing compression garments; this is completely normal and will soon subside. You can use a skin cream to reduce itching.
Compression garments are not necessary after LAMS.
It should be at least three months after childbirth and the end of breastfeeding.
Yes, pregnancy is possible as early as 2-3 months after the operation with no restrictions.
A repeat operation is not necessary if your surgery was performed by an experienced doctor and you did not gain more than 15-20 kg.
You can start exercising 4 weeks after the surgery.
Yes, but liposuction should be performed first, as during the procedure, the patient is turned from the back to the abdomen. After facial surgery and breast surgery, lying on the abdomen is prohibited. Please inform us about your plans for other surgeries in advance.
Surgeons agree that any time of the year is equally comfortable for patients. The most popular seasons for plastic surgery are spring and autumn, so we recommend booking at least 1-2 months in advance during these times.
Yes, online consultations are available.
Step 1: Fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE
First and foremost, you need to fill out a form. This will help us and the surgeons better understand your expectations and review your medical history. In the form, be sure to provide your personal information, details about any previous surgeries, and your current health condition. Unfortunately, patients with HIV infection are not eligible for plastic surgeries in Korea.
Step 2: Attach photos
Attaching photos of the areas of your body or face that you would like to have corrected is a crucial step. This allows us to make a preliminary cost estimate and direct you to a specialist who can address your concerns.
Step 3: Submit and wait for confirmation
After submitting the form and photos, your application will be reviewed, and we will contact you to confirm details and schedule a consultation.
Step 4: Prepare for the consultation
Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask the coordinator and surgeon during the consultation. We recommend bringing a phone with notes or a notepad to help you stay organized and obtain all the information you need. Additionally, you can always ask any questions you have in a personal chat created for discussing the details of your trip.