Leg liposuction

Leg liposuction is a popular procedure aimed at enhancing the contours and shape of the lower limbs by removing excess fat deposits. It’s ideal for those desiring to shape more slender and elegant legs. Depending on the client’s preference and initial conditions, you can opt for thinner “Asian-style” legs or more feminine legs by retaining some volume in the upper part.

Typically, during leg liposuction, one can remove between 1,500 to 5,000 ml of fat.

Possible areas for leg liposuction include the outer and inner legs, front and back parts of the legs, above the knees, and under the buttocks area.

Brief information about the surgery

• Duration of operation: 2 hours

• Type of anesthesia: Sedation and local anesthesia; general anesthesia for individuals weighing over 100 kg

• Hospitalization: 2-3 hours

• Return to normal life: The next day

• Clinic visits: 2-3 times

• Stitches removal: 7-14 days

Why do patients consider thigh liposuction?

• Boosting self-esteem: Despite significant weight loss, some individuals may have disproportionate fat deposits, leading to feelings of embarrassment and reduced self-confidence. Liposuction can quickly enhance appearance, boosting self-assurance and revealing natural beauty.

• Treatment: Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure and doesn’t remove fat from all body parts. However, it effectively eliminates disproportionate fat deposits in areas like the thighs, abdomen, upper arms, and smaller areas such as under the chin or forehead.

• Body shape transformation: Some people, even at a healthy weight, may be dissatisfied with their body shape due to stubborn fat deposits in specific areas, like the thighs. Liposuction helps achieve a more slender and proportionate figure without resorting to weight loss or unhealthy diets.

• Desire for an “hourglass” figure: In this case, clients often combine abdominal and leg liposuction with fat grafting to the buttocks area. The volume might not be enough to achieve Kardashian-like curves, but it’s perfect for a feminine “hourglass” figure. For those seeking extra volume, you can read about buttock augmentation with implants here.

Who is suitable for leg liposuction?

The best candidates for leg liposuction are healthy adults close to their ideal weight, with elastic skin and specific areas of stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Why South Korea?

South Korea annually performs the highest number of cosmetic procedures and surgeries in the world. Local doctors are considered among the most educated and competitive globally, as only 0.01% of medical school graduates can become plastic surgeons in the country. Korea’s medical equipment and technology are on par with the United States and Germany, placing it in the top three countries for the best technical equipment in clinics.

All liposuction surgeries are conducted in accredited clinics authorized to work with international patients and staffed with anesthesiologists. All surgeons operating on our patients have 15 to 30 years of experience, specialize in liposuction, and do not operate on more than two patients per day. Fill out the form so we can calculate the cost of treatment for you, conduct a preliminary consultation, and prepare a travel plan to South Korea for the operation.

How to prepare for leg liposuction in South Korea

Refrain from eating and drinking for 8 hours before the procedure. Take a shower.

Avoid taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen (including drugs like Advil or Motrin), and other medications that can increase the risk of heavy bleeding for two weeks before surgery. Tylenol is prohibited only for 3 days before the operation.

Do not smoke, including hookahs and electronic cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow down the tissue healing process. If you smoke, your doctor will recommend quitting before surgery. Some doctors refuse to operate on smokers due to a high risk of complications.

Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses and any surgeries you have undergone. Tell about any medications you are taking or have taken recently. Please do not hide this information from the surgeon and coordinators.

Visit the surgeon for a checkup and show him photos of the desired result. When selecting them, try to choose those where the patient’s physique is similar to yours.

If you have had tests done less than a month ago, you can bring them with you. If not, we will conduct all necessary tests in Korea.

Ask someone to drive you to the clinic or help you after the operation if you plan to come by car.

Place items you might need during rest, such as lip balm, water, a chocolate bar, or a mobile phone, next to your bed.

How liposuction is performed

Before taking the patient to the operating room, the surgeon draws a design on the body. Don’t worry about marker traces remaining on the skin – after the operation, nurses will wipe down the liposuction area with warm towels.

Before the operation begins, the patient is taken to the restroom, asked about their well-being, and the last time they had food and water, then laid on the operating table. A catheter is inserted into the arm, through which medications used before anesthesia are administered. The surgical area is disinfected, and the hands and legs are secured with straps to minimize patient movement during sleep. Blood pressure is monitored, the anesthesiologist administers a sedative solution, and checks the patient’s condition.

Once the medication takes effect and the patient falls asleep, the surgeon administers a pain relief injection (usually in the buttock) and starts the operation. First, a medical solution is injected under the skin, turning the solid subcutaneous fat into a liquid, and after a few minutes, it begins to be suctioned out using a cannula.

After completing the fat suction procedure, the edges of the incisions (2-4mm) are stitched, the area is dried with towels, the patient is awakened, and helped to move to a room for further rest and recovery.

What to expect after

After the operation, the translator and nurses will wake you up and help you move to the room. Most patients don’t remember this moment and feel as if they woke up in a warm bed – such is the effect of anesthesia.

In the first 10-20 minutes after waking up, you may feel chills, which quickly pass, and a warm mattress is placed on your bed to make this period more comfortable. There will be almost no pain, dulled by the pain relief injections and medications used during the operation. You will be offered to rest, drink orange juice, and eat porridge to recover faster.

An hour after waking up, you need to stand and walk for 5-10 minutes in the clinic corridors – you will feel discomfort similar to muscle stretching after a workout, but walking will help you adapt to the symptoms and understand your condition post-operation. If you do not experience symptoms like nausea and dizziness, the clinic staff will start preparing you for discharge – you can change clothes, put on compression garments, take medications and recommendations, and go home.

Every time you move and strain the area where the operation was performed, you will feel discomfort similar to muscle pain, but there will be no pain at rest, and the body will recover within 5-7 days.

Book a consultation with the clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon today!

You can book a consultation by filling out the QUESTIONNAIRE or contacting us on any messenger at +82-10-4214-9603.

Recovery process and post-liposuction procedures

Immediately after the procedure: There are no pain sensations at rest, and medical fluid may leak from the stitches (don’t be alarmed by its red color). You can leave the clinic 1-3 hours after the operation, provided there are no symptoms such as nausea, weakness, or dizziness.

Days 1-2: The operated area begins to swell, and bruises may appear. Active movements cause discomfort. Try to move and walk as much as possible: it helps reduce swelling and speed up recovery.

Days 3-7: Swelling reaches its peak and gradually starts to decrease. Bruises (if present) begin to yellow. Both swelling and bruises may descend below the operated area – from thighs to knees, knees to calves, from armpits to elbows or chest. Do not be alarmed, this is a natural rehabilitation process.

Days 7-14: Swelling decreases, possible bruises disappear, and you return to normal life. The surgeon removes the stitches, and you can start showering without using waterproof patches. Regular long walks are recommended for faster recovery. Do not forget to apply healing ointment to dissolve the stitches, making the fact of the operation almost unnoticeable soon.

Days 14-21: Patients perform daily activities without discomfort. However, intense workouts and physical exercises should still be avoided. Compression garments can be temporarily removed.

Days 21-30: Swelling decreases, and the new shape of the liposuction area gradually appears.

Days 31-60: Residual swelling gradually subsides, symmetry is restored. You can start doing sports, swim in the sea or pool.

Days 60-90: Swelling completely subsides, and rehabilitation gradually concludes.

6 months post-operation: Full completion of rehabilitation.