Like any surgical procedure, liposuction/lipomodelling is not without risks. The first step is to consult a plastic surgeon who is registered with the Portuguese Medical Association (www.ordemdosmedicos.pt) and the Portuguese Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (www.spcpre.org.pt). In addition, you should choose a clinic with a suitable environment for your consultation and the operation. It is also important to choose the right time to have the operation, whether from a social, personal or professional perspective. You should therefore speak openly with your doctor, ask any questions you may have, and clarify your goals and expectations. You should also be informed about the possible outcomes, the necessary post-operative care and any potential complications.

Liposuction in Coimbra and Lisbon

Plastic Surgeon - Face-to-face consultations in Coimbra and Lisbon

It removes localised fat and improves body contour. Procedure carried out in a safe surgical environment.

Book your appointment

Image of a doctor wearing blue gloves marking with a black marker areas on a woman's belly for liposuction surgery. The woman is lifting up her white shirt, exposing her abdomen where dotted lines and arrows indicate the focus areas of the surgery.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat localised in specific areas of the bodyThe most common areas of concern are the jowls, abdomen, thighs, flanks, back and arms.

Not a weight loss methodbut rather a way of improving body contour in people with a stable weight who can't eliminate fat with diet and exercise.

To find out more, contact us to book an assessment appointment in Coimbra (Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Centre) or Lisbon (MYFACE clinic).

We also have online consultation / teleconsultationThis is an advantageous option for those who live in other cities in Portugal (Porto, Braga, Viseu, Aveiro, Leiria, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Évora, Beja, Faro, etc.) and is still very popular with patients who live in other countries.

Videos

Who is suitable for liposuction?

They are indicated all women or men who wish to improve the general contour of their body or any particular area. Through this procedure, we will then remove unwanted accumulations of fat or accentuate the contour of a certain area (breast/pectoral, buttocks).

In fact, some areas of the body accumulate unwanted fat that is difficult to lose, even with a healthy diet and exercise.

All areas of the body can be treated with liposuction, for example: the submental region ("jowls" on the neck), the torso (breasts), the abdomen, flanks/waist, buttocks, arms, legs and ankles.

However, fat aspiration is not a treatment for weight loss. Someone who is overweight should be referred to a nutritionist and, possibly, a bariatric surgeon.

Thus, the ideal candidate is the one who:

shows weight stability (stable body weight) for at least 6 months;
has good quality leather (elastic and without stretch marks):
is motivated for the surgery and willing to comply with post-operative care (compression garments, lymphatic drainage massage, LPG).

Image of a woman with a toned physique wearing a white sports top, with white dotted lines marked around her abdomen and sides, indicating areas for potential cosmetic surgery.

Expectations

Fat aspiration using cannulas is a surgical procedure aimed at providing an improvement in your physical appearance but also a boost to your self-esteem.

However, the new image you are acquiring will not in itself change all the other areas of your life (professional, family, social), so it is important to realise this.

Emotional balance is therefore essential when undergoing surgery, especially if it is cosmetic in nature.

It should be borne in mind that surgery is not a solution to weight loss and that results can vary according to the individual. Discuss with a qualified plastic surgeon will help to set expectations in line with what can be achieved.

Before and After Cases - Liposuction

Side-by-side image showing the results of 360° liposuction. On the left, a woman shows an abdomen with excess fat. On the right, after the procedure, the same woman shows a much more defined and contoured abdomen, wearing the same clothes.

Image of a woman seen from the back and right side one month after HD liposuction on her arms, showing marked muscle definition in the arms and shoulders as a result of the surgical removal of localised fat.

Image shows the result of HD liposuction on the arms of a female patient, seen from a back angle, showing the improved muscle definition in the arms and shoulders one month after the procedure.

Image of a female patient seen from the rear angle after one month of HD liposuction on the arms, showing the improved muscle definition and the reduction of fat in the arms and shoulders.

A female patient presents the results of HD liposuction on her arms, visualised in a rear angle and frontal view, showing the muscle definition achieved one month after surgery.

A female patient shows the results of HD liposuction on her arms one month after the procedure, showing marked muscle definition in the frontal angle, with the contours of her arms and shoulders well-defined.

A female patient shows accentuated muscle definition in her arms and shoulders one month after HD liposuction. The image taken from a frontal angle reveals the surgery's effectiveness in sculpting the region in a dynamic and natural way.

Image of a female patient undergoing liposuction of the thighs, seen from behind with a focus on improving the contour and proportion of the thighs, after the removal of accumulated fat, in frontal position.

Female patient undergoing liposuction, shown from the front, emphasising the defined body contours after the procedure.

Left lateral image of a female patient undergoing liposuction, highlighting the silhouette and body contours after the surgical procedure.

Frontal image of a female patient undergoing liposuction, seen from the rear angle, showing the silhouette and body contours after the procedure.

HD liposuction allows for the selective removal of fat and the definition of muscles in patients with a healthy lifestyle, respecting the anatomy for more natural and balanced results, requiring specific post-operative care for an effective recovery.

Left lateral image of a male patient after HD liposuction, showing abdominal muscle definition respecting the natural anatomy, with visible compression garments, illustrating the procedure in an operating theatre environment.

Image of a male patient seen from the front, after HD Liposuction surgery, showing muscle definition in the abdomen and adjacent areas, with natural and symmetrical contours, emphasising the toned appearance achieved through advanced liposuction techniques and respect for body anatomy.

Right lateral image of a male patient after HD liposuction, showing the abdominal muscle definition achieved while respecting the body's natural anatomy.

In the image shown, we see a woman seen from the front, who recently underwent a liposculpture procedure on her thighs to remove excessive skin and fat in this area, which significantly contributed to improving her self-esteem and quality of life. This comprehensive treatment included the extraction of fat from the entire circumference of the thigh and the excision of skin on the inside, with healing carefully monitored in the months following the operation.

The image shows a woman, in a left lateral perspective, who has undergone a liposuction procedure on her thighs. This procedure, carried out under general anaesthesia, involved removing excess fatty tissue and skin, especially on the inner thighs up to the knee, covering the entire circumference of the thigh. Post-surgery, it is crucial to wear compression garments and carry out daily lymphatic drainage for around two weeks, followed by a careful assessment of the scars to ensure optimal recovery and a significant improvement in the patient's quality of life and self-esteem.

Image of a female patient seen from the rear angle and front side, showing the results of liposuction and skin removal on the thighs, with hidden scars in the inguinal area and inner thigh, after a procedure carried out under general anaesthetic, aimed at improving self-esteem and quality of life.

In the image shown, a woman is seen from the right, who underwent a liposuction procedure on her thighs to reduce excess fat and skin, significantly improving her quality of life and self-esteem. The procedure, performed under general anaesthesia, included the removal of excess skin on the inner thighs, with the liposuction extending from the top to the knee and involving the entire circumference of the thigh. The post-operative period required a two-day hospital stay and specific care, including wearing compression shorts and lymphatic drainage. Maintaining the results depends on a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Before and after abdominoplasty and back liposuction in a female patient, showing the front view, with a significant improvement in the silhouette, reduction of excess abdominal skin and fat, and a more contoured appearance in the back, four months after the procedure.

Before and after image of a female patient, showing the right side at a lateral angle, after having an abdominal dermolipectomy combined with liposuction of the back, revealing an improvement in the silhouette and a significant reduction in abdominal and lumbar fat four months after the procedure.

Before and after image of a female patient with a straight back who underwent abdominal dermolipectomy and back liposuction, showing the reduction in fat and improvement in the back contour 4 months after surgery.

Before and after image of a tummy tuck and liposuction procedure on a female patient, seen from the back, showing the reduction in abdominal and back volume, emphasising the improvement in the silhouette four months after the procedure.

Image before and after abdominal dermolipectomy and back liposuction, showing the female patient at left rear angle, illustrating the improvement in silhouette and reduction of fat in the lower back and under the bra, four months after the procedure.

See more clinical cases

Note: The images shown on this page are real examples of treatments carried out by Dr Ricardo CarvalhoThese are published with the prior, free and informed consent of the users involved, respecting the rules on the protection of personal data and the right to an image.

It is important to note that results may vary from person to person, depending on individual conditions and the clinical assessment carried out. These images are not a guarantee of similar results in other cases.

The decision to carry out any treatment should be made after a personalised medical consultation and assessment, ensuring that the procedure is suited to your specific needs and conditions.

Discover your before and after in 3D

Make your simulation

Areas of the body that can be treated with liposculpture

Abdomen

Abdominal liposuction is a common procedure to remove stubborn fat deposits around the abdomen. In cases where there is excess skin, a abdominoplasty to remove excess skin and restore abdominal firmness.

Flanks and back

The flanks and back are areas prone to fat accumulation. In cases of significant skin laxity, liposculpture can be combined with body contouring surgery to remove excess skin and create a more toned appearance.

Arms

Many people face problems with fat accumulation on their arms, especially in the area known as the "goodbye muscle". In cases of sagging skin, liposuction of the upper arms should be combined with a brachioplasty to remove excess skin and give you more toned and defined arms.

Thighs

The thighs are an area of the body where fat stubbornly accumulates, often causing friction and discomfort when walking. By suctioning fat from this area, it is possible to reduce the volume of the thighs, giving a more harmonious silhouette and also relieving the discomfort caused by friction.

Chest

Chest liposculpture is a procedure that aims to remove unwanted fat deposits in the chest area. By reducing the volume of fat in the chest area, this surgery can provide natural and long-lasting results, allowing patients to feel more comfortable and confident with their bodies.

Jowls and Neck

Submental fat, known as jowls, can cause discomfort for many people. Cases of excess skin on the neck will need to be treated with a facelift to remove skin and define the contour of the chin and neck.

How is this surgery performed?

This surgery involves removing unwanted localised fat by suction and transferring it to other areas in order to improve or accentuate the body's contour (lipomodelling).

It takes place under general anaesthesia (when it comes to large areassuch as the abdomen or limbs). When dealing with small areas, such as the sub-mentonian region ("chin"), surgical intervention can be performed. under sedation. In this way, the patient can be discharged on the same day as the intervention, as long as they are accompanied by someone to support them.

Fat aspiration can be carried out using various techniques, one of which is associated with vibration (VibroLipo), which enables better separation of the adipose (fat) cells and thus faster and more homogeneous aspiration.

Scars and recovery

Scars

Like any surgery, lipo cannot be performed without scars.

The surgery is therefore carried out with very thin cannulas (2 to 5 mm)), introduced through holes in the skin that are also very small (less than 1 cm) and in places that can be hidden by clothing.

Your plastic surgeon will be able to advise you on the best way to treat your scars.

Recovery

Usually, the patient is discharged one day after surgery and you can recover in the comfort of your own home. Only in cases where very large areas are treated may more than one day's hospitalisation be necessary.

We recommend the use of compression garments for a period of 1 to 2 months to prevent oedema ("swelling") and bruising.

We also recommend manual lymphatic drainage to speed up recovery. This will improve comfort and reduce the oedema and fibrosis associated with the surgery. Lymphatic drainage should begin 3 to 4 days after the procedure.

All patients are prevented from the risk of thrombosis with peri-operative measures and with medication after discharge from the clinic.

It is also recommended that patients move around early on, rather than lying down, and that they gradually resume their activities of daily living so that they can start exercising after four weeks.

Resumption of activity / routine after surgery

The return to daily routine depends on the characteristics of the patient, the type of activity and the extent of the liposculpture.

Everyone is advised to get out and about early, no later than the day after surgery.

As a result, most patients return to work between 5 and 7 days after the intervention. However, a period of 4 to 6 weeks is recommended before resuming more intense physical exercise.

It is therefore important to get up early and move around to help reduce oedema and reduce the risk of thrombosis.

Why choose Dr Ricardo?

In his initial consultation, the Dr Ricardo Carvalho will listen carefully to you to understand what you hope to achieve with this surgery: your goals, preferences, doubts and fears so that you can make an informed decision about your surgery. He will also carry out a thorough assessment.

He is a plastic surgeon with solid training and vast experience, totally dedicated to achieving natural and harmonious results, as illustrated by his several clinical cases (before and after).

Graduated from the University of Coimbra, he specialised in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (professional certificate no. 44167, from the University of Coimbra). Medical Association).

Dr Ricardo Carvalho uses the operating theatre at the SANFIL clinic in Coimbra, which is ERS-certified and has a supervised recovery area.

Following the recommendations of the Portuguese Medical Association and the Portuguese Society of Plastic Surgery (SPCPRE), Dr Ricardo Carvalho operates with a full team. We believe that the presence of multiple specialists in the operating theatre is a fundamental pillar of safety. In all surgeries, the team is made up of:

Dr Ricardo Carvalho (Principal Plastic Surgeon);
A second assistant plastic surgeon;
An anaesthetist (present throughout the procedure);
Operating theatre nursing team.

Portrait of Dr Ricardo Carvalho, a plastic surgeon working in Coimbra and Lisbon, wearing a dark blue suit and tie with a fine pattern. He has his arms crossed and is smiling, with a black background.

What is the expected result?

In fact, fat aspiration is not a procedure for losing weight.

In fact, the expected result of this procedure is a change in the contour or volume of a certain area of the body after transferring the fat that was previously suctioned. For example: an increase in the volume of the breasts or buttocks, following the transfer of fat that had previously been suctioned from the abdomen.

The end result is not immediate. The result should appear progressively.

After surgery, the skin will have to adapt to the new shape of your body. For this reason, the greater the amount of fat aspirated, the longer it will take to achieve the desired final result.

Summary

Surgery time

Absence from work

1 week

Hospitalisation

1 day

Bathing

From day 1

Mobility

From day 1

Exercises

After 6 weeks

Use of compression garments

6 weeks

Sexual activity

After 4 weeks

Sleeping on your back

4 weeks

Total Recovery

6 weeks

Driving

After 1 week

Healing

After 2 weeks

Observations

These are approximate times and may vary according to each patient.
Strictly follow your doctor's instructions for a safe and successful recovery.
Don't hesitate to ask questions or report any unusual symptoms to your surgeon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the adverse effects?

The most common adverse effects are transient and disappear spontaneously. The most common are ecchymosis (bruising) and oedema ("swelling").

Normally, the bruising disappears in 2-3 weeks and the oedema in 8-10 weeks.

Another unwanted effect is small irregularities in the skin, which are associated with poor skin quality (skin that is not very elastic, for example), smoking, excessive sun exposure or excessive fat removal.

In fact, you may feel dizzy the first time you get out of bed after lipo, so you should do it gradually and with help.

In the first few weeks, it's also usual to feel heavier and more bloated than before surgery, but this feeling is temporary.

Scars are therefore inevitable (as with any surgery), but apart from being small and in places that are easy to hide with clothing, they become less obvious over time.

Your plastic surgeon will be able to advise you on the best way to treat your scars.

Is the surgery safe?

Like any surgery, liposuction/lipomodelling is not without its risks.

The first step is to consult a plastic surgeon who is registered with the Portuguese Medical Association (www.ordemdosmedicos.pt) and the Portuguese Society of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (www.spcpre.org.pt).

In addition, you should choose a clinic with a suitable environment for the consultation and surgery.

It's also important to choose the right time to have the surgery, whether socially, personally or professionally.

You should therefore talk openly with your doctor, ask any questions you may have and clarify your objectives and expectations. You should also find out about the possible results, the necessary post-operative care and possible complications.

How much does liposuction cost?

As far as liposuction or lipomodelling is concerned, it depends on each individual case.

For reference, prices start at €3,500, but the final price can only be determined following a valuation.

Please contact us via the Contact Form to get a quote tailored to your circumstances.