LIPOCLINIC St. Gallen
9000 St. Gallen
LIPOCLINIC Zürich
8004 Zürich
In principle, liposuction can be performed wherever fat is present in the skin fold. Please note that only fat can be suctioned and not skin or muscles.
Do the pinch test:
Take a fold of skin and see how thick it is. The thicker the skin fold, the more fat is contained under the skin in the fold and the more can be suctioned out at this point.
The result after liposuction is often determined by the anatomy – i.e., the body structure consisting of bones and muscles. Liposuction can only be performed in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. However, this is sufficient to achieve excellent sculpting results on the body.
Many people consider their face to be too full and would therefore like to reduce the amount of fat. In principle, liposuction is also possible on the face, but this treatment should only be carried out in selected cases if other less invasive options do not achieve the desired result. As a rule, fat-away injections and HIFU technology (Ultherapy) are used in the face, which allow for much faster and less complicated healing.
Treatment duration: ½ hour infiltration, ½ hour suction
Cost point: from CHF 1500.00
The double chin is a very frequently desired area. It can be easily and safely removed under local anesthesia. A small incision is made directly in the crease between the chin and neck, leaving it invisible. Depending on the patient's wishes, the lower part of the face can also be treated at the same time, if "hamster cheeks" or so-called "champagne cheeks" have formed here.
Since liposuction of the double chin not only reduces volume but also creates a tightening effect, known as "lipolifting", the skin usually shrinks back quickly. It's important to note that the tightening of the chin and neck skin can take up to 12 months. In practice, this means that 80% of the result can be seen shortly after the procedure, but it will continue to improve over weeks and months.
Aftercare consists of compression with a bandage or adhesive plaster for 24 hours. Blue discoloration only occurs in exceptional cases.
Duration of treatment: ½ hour infiltration, ½ hour suction
Cost point: CHF 1500.00 - 5000.00
The upper arms are a commonly desired area for liposuction and are relatively easy to treat. The mini punctures for the cannulas are made in the elbow area and close to the shoulder at the junction between the upper arm and shoulder. They are so small that they are invisible after a few weeks. The skin tightens within 2-12 months, even if it hangs a little downwards. Visually, this means that a clear result is already visible on the upper arms 2 weeks after liposuction, but this continues to improve over the months.
The result of liposuction on the upper arms – i.e., the degree of volume reduction – depends on the volume of the upper arm muscles. LIPOCLINIC recommends that patients with voluminous upper arms should not engage in any sporting activity that is associated with growth of the upper arm muscles.
Aftercare for the upper arm consists of bandaging for 2 days. Further compression is not necessary. In addition to fat, women over 40 often also have excess skin ("flabby arms"), which requires a combination of fat removal and Renuvion® to tighten.
Treatment duration: 1 hour infiltration, 1 hour liposuction
Cost: CHF 3000.00 - 6500.00
Armpit fat refers to unsightly, small pockets of fat that can develop between the breasts and upper arms. Wearing a bra usually increases this effect. Liposuction of the armpit fat is very frequently requested and is often combined with other areas.
Treatment duration: ½ hour infiltration, ½ hour liposuction
Cost point: CHF 2000.00 - 2500.00
Men's breasts – also known as gynecomastia – consist of fat and glandular tissue, just like women's breasts. The main cause of enlargement is usually hormonal dysregulation, which occurs mainly during puberty. The intake of female hormones through food (e.g. meat or beer) as well as obesity also have an effect on the male breast.
Male breasts can be found in both slim and overweight men. Typically, neither sport nor diet can change the shape. The psychological strain for men is enormous, as the breasts cannot be concealed or hidden.
The treatment of gynecomastia is simple and straightforward in almost all cases. Two different procedures often have to be combined to achieve an optimal result: Liposuction of the excess fat on the male breasts is the first stage of treatment; this procedure allows many gynecomastia cases to be treated with a very good aesthetic result. In a second step, it is necessary to completely remove the male glandular body by making a millimeter incision in the nipple. This is a technique from South America that was modified by Dr. Nikolaus Linde so that it is minimally traumatic and leaves no visible scars. He called it "minimally invasive glandular excision", or MIGE for short.
Both liposuction of the male breasts and the MIGE technique can be performed under local anesthesia (i.e., no anesthesia) as an outpatient procedure; the patient can go home immediately after the procedure and return to work the next day. The procedure takes about 60 minutes and is painless. Aftercare consists of a bandage for 24 hours, after which no special measures are necessary.
The result is visible immediately after the procedure: The skin tightens immediately and leads to an excellent aesthetic result that lasts for a long time. A follow-up check is recommended after three to six months.
Treatment duration: 1 hour infiltration, 1 hour suction
Cost: CHF 2500.00 - 3000.00 removal of the glandular body only ("bitch tits", bodybuilder), CHF 4000.00 - 5000.00 liposuction with glandular body removal (MIGE technique), CHF 5000.00 - 6000.00 with additional light skin tightening using tightening cannulas, CHF 6000.00 - 7000.00 with additional strong tightening using Renuvion®.
Liposuction of breast fat achieves a massive reduction in fat volume, whereby a reduction of one to two cup sizes is easily possible. The breasts tighten very well after liposuction and look firmer afterwards. These results are also achieved in older patients.
The pain that previously existed due to overly large breasts often disappears completely. Liposuction works with invisible stitches, leaving no scars. Depending on the "softness" of the tissue, fat removal must be combined with Renuvion®. Aftercare consists of wearing a bra for 2-3 weeks.
Duration of treatment: 1 hour infiltration, 1 hour suction
Cost: CHF 2500.00 - 6500.00 (incl. Renuvion®)
The abdomen is one of the most frequently desired areas. Volume reduction in the lower abdomen – the area between the navel and pubic area – is often desired.
The skin here usually tightens very nicely, which means that the suction of large volumes after Renuvion® also leads to a firm and beautiful skin appearance. Liposuction of the upper abdomen – the area between the belly button and the beginning of the rib cage – is also often requested. The skin is a problem here, as it usually does not contract well with liposuction alone. For this reason, fat removal must very often be combined with Renuvion® in patients who have given birth or have lost a lot of weight in order to achieve an optimal tightening without a surgical scar (abdominoplasty). If the tightening is not sufficient, the skin can be tightened at a later date using a special technique on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia.
Please note: The volume of the abdomen consists of so-called intra-abdominal fat – i.e., fat below the abdominal muscles – as well as fat between the skin and abdominal muscles, can be easily determined using the pinch test. Here you can have liposuction and achieve spectacular results. The fat under the abdominal wall (usually found in men in the form of a "beer belly") is not accessible to liposuction and can only be reduced by losing weight. If you "poke" your stomach with your finger, the fat between your skin and the abdominal wall (where you will feel resistance) can be removed. The remaining volume must then be mobilized by weight reduction in order to achieve a beautiful, slim stomach.
It is not uncommon for fat to be removed from the waist as part of liposuction of the upper and lower abdomen. This can usually be carried out in one session without any problems. In special cases, patients request that excess fat in the area of the mons veneris and labia should also be suctioned out, which is usually possible during the same session. In this case, only the fat between the skin and muscles is reduced without causing any negative effects on the sensitive experience in the genital area.
Follow-up treatment after liposuction of the abdomen consists of wearing an abdominal belt for approx. 1-2 weeks. After two weeks, there will be a temporary swelling of the liposuctioned area, which can cause discomfort when moving from sitting to standing up. If you have a sedentary job, we therefore recommend that you take a week's vacation if you have a large abdomen. If you have a predominantly standing job, a time-out of just 2 days is usually sufficient, as patients feel most comfortable standing up after the fat has been removed from their abdomen.
Treatment duration: 1 hour infiltration, 1 hour liposuction (possibly longer if Renuvion® is used)
Cost: CHF 5000.00 - 6000.00 (incl. waist), CHF 6500.00 - 8000.00 if Renuvion® is also used
The sculpting of a sixpack – called superdefinition – is always possible when a certain amount of ab muscle is covered by fat. When the abdominal fat between the skin and the muscles is suctioned off, the sixpack shape is then sculpted by visibly emphasizing the grooves between the individual muscle fasciae using the superdefinition technique. For a perfect result, the very special post-treatment with an individualized compression technique plays a major role, which must be carried out for several weeks after the treatment.
Important: A trained abdominal musculature is a prerequisite for six-pack modeling!
Duration of treatment: 1 hour infiltration, 1 ½ hours suction
Cost: from CHF 6000.00 incl. superdefinition compression technique
Ab cracks are a new trend; this refers to a clearly visible "groove" in the middle of the front abdominal muscles. This can be better defined by superdefinition liposuction – provided the abs are present at the base and covered by fat.
Treatment duration: ½ hour infiltration, 1 hour liposuction
Cost point: from CHF 3500.00
In the upper half of the back, many women are bothered by padding that is pushed down by the bra strap. However, this tissue often consists not only of fat, but also of excess skin. Liposuction achieves very good results here; however, this must sometimes be combined with skin tightening using tightening cannulas or Renuvion® in order to achieve optimal results.
Fat pads in the lower back sometimes merge into the flanks ("love handles"). They typically appear in the form of a fold of fat and skin that is visible above the waistband of the jeans. The lower back area is very suitable for liposuction, and liposuction often has to be combined with tightening cannulas or Renuvion®. Even a small volume reduction has a great visual impact in this area, as the back and flanks strongly define the body's silhouette.
Treatment duration: ½ hour infiltration, 1 hour suction (+/- tightening)
Cost: from CHF 4500.00 (CHF 6500.00 with Renuvion® tightening)
The waist is a very frequently desired area because a T-shirt often rests there and the body can therefore appear very wide. This area is usually also treated when liposuction is performed on the abdomen. Liposuction of the waist always produces very beautiful results; even in older patients, the appearance of the skin is excellent, although the additional use of tightening cannulas or Renuvion® is often necessary here.
Post-treatment consists of wearing an abdominal belt for 2-7 days.
Duration of treatment: ½ hour infiltration, 1 hour suction
Cost: CHF 3500.00 - 5000.00
Love handles are fat deposits along the hips and waist, which are a common problem area and are usually resistant to exercise and diet. Those affected often find it unsightly that these problem areas can often swell over the waistband in the form of bulges. The main cause is fat, but often also sagging skin that accumulates above the pelvic edge.
The treatment of choice is liposuction, which is often performed in combination with tightening cannulas or Renuvion®. The follow-up treatment consists of wearing an abdominal belt for a week.
Treatment duration: 1 hour infiltration, 1 ½ hours suction
Cost: CHF 3500.00 - CHF 4500.00, with Renuvion® CHF 6500.00
The treatment of the hips is comparable to that of the waist, the result after hip liposuction is always very beautiful. The skin usually tightens very well. However, the additional use of tightening cannulas or Renuvion® is sometimes necessary here as well. The hip liposuction usually results in a beautiful, hourglass shape of the rear body silhouette, because the body line from the back to the leg appears more coherent.
Aftercare consists of wearing an abdominal belt for one week.
Duration of treatment: ½ hour infiltration, 1 hour suction
Cost: CHF 3500.00 - 4500.00, up to CHF 6500.00 with additional use of Renuvion®
The dents under the hips are also known as "hip dips". They are anatomically determined and are caused by the muscle that attaches to the side of the pelvic bone. This dip is constitutional and cannot usually be filled by exercise or diet. The treatment of choice in such cases is the removal of fat from the hip, which is then implanted into the hip dip. Occasionally this is combined with fat removal from the riding breeches to achieve a beautiful silhouette. Fat is harvested using water jet suction, which produces the best quality fat for ingrowth. However, it is always individual how much fat grows in at the end, as some of the autologous fat is broken down again after the treatment.
Depending on the result, fat can be replenished a second time ("refill") or the treatment can be continued with a collagen booster (Lanluma or Sculptra), which leads to a build-up of the body's own connective tissue.
Treatment duration: ½ hour infiltration, ½ hour liposuction, ½ hour fat implantation
Cost: CHF 6000.00, a refill costs CHF 3000.00
The saddlebags are the most frequently desired area for liposuction and can be liposuction very well. It is important to note that in some cases the saddlebags consist not only of a subcutaneous fat mantle, but also of a larger muscular part that bulges outwards when the buttocks relax.
You can get an idea of how much fat or muscle is present in saddlebags, when the buttocks are pulled together. The volume movement that takes place in the area of the saddlebags reflects the muscular portion, or in other words: The volume that disappears as a result of this movement is caused exclusively by the muscles. The remaining volume, which is present despite tension, is formed by the subcutaneous fatty tissue. Liposuction is used to remove the fat from the saddlebags.
It is not uncommon for the simultaneous treatment of the hips to be recommended when addressing the saddlebags in order to achieve a much more beautifully flowing silhouette. In many cases, it is also worth removing fat from the inside of the thighs at the same time, resulting in a much more sculpted leg that looks longer. The post-treatment consists of wearing a so-called panty (similar to cycling shorts), which should be worn for a week.
Treatment duration: 1 hour infiltration, 1 hour suction
Cost: CHF 3500.00 / together with hips CHF 4500.00 / with additional suction of the inner thighs CHF 6000.00 / plus knees CHF 7500.00
However, patients often complain that their buttocks are too flat and would like a nicer, rounder and "crisper" shape. In these cases, LIPOCLINIC recommends the use of autologous fat (or collagen boosters such as Lanluma or Sculptra), which can be used to permanently shape any buttocks as desired.
When using autologous fat, fat is removed from other parts of the body using water jet liposuction (fat deposits are often removed from the inner thighs or riding breeches in the same session), which is then injected into the buttock muscles in a specially prepared form as a micro-implant. This results in a clearly visible, sensational shape of the buttocks, which then remains in place for the long term.
What changes are possible in individual cases can be determined during a personal consultation.
The follow-up treatment consists of compression pants for one week.
Duration of treatment: 1 hour infiltration, 1 hour liposuction
Cost: Liposuction from CHF 4000.00, buttock augmentation with autologous fat CHF 6000.00
Liposuction of the pubic area is frequently requested by both women and men. This is a short procedure and does not require compression.
Duration of treatment: ½ hour infiltration, ½ hour suction
Cost point: CHF 2500.00-3500.00
Many women are bothered by an accumulation of fat between the legs, which in some cases can cause the skin to rub against each other in summer. On examination, there is often a mixture of muscle (adductor muscles) and a localized accumulation of fat between the thighs.
The proportion of muscle ultimately determines the result, i.e. how the thighs will look after liposuction, as it is only possible to remove the fat on the inner thighs and not the muscles. A real "thigh gap" is therefore only possible if the muscles are correspondingly defined. Unfortunately, in many cases this wish cannot be fulfilled due to muscular conditions.
Another "problem" in this area is the texture of the skin. Unfortunately, the skin does not like to retract here, which can lead to slight irregularities after liposuction. For this reason, liposuction in this area should always be accompanied by tightening using tightening cannulas or Renuvion® so that the result does not resemble a "shriveled" balloon. In this area, the younger the patient, the better the result.
Duration of treatment: ½ hour infiltration, 1 hour suction
Cost: CHF 3500.00, with the use of Renuvion® CHF 6500.00
It is not uncommon for liposuction to be performed on the entire leg. If the pinch test reveals fat on the outside, inside and front of the leg – liposuction can be used to reduce fat from the entire thigh.
This can result in a significant reduction in volume, which means that smaller clothing sizes can be worn. However, it is advisable not to do any sport that causes the thigh muscles to grow, as otherwise the subcutaneous fat layer on the legs will remain massively reduced as a result of liposuction, but this volume will return as voluminous muscle mass due to the growth of the thigh muscles. However, a leg then feels much firmer and no longer as soft.
Waterjet liposuction is generally performed on the legs. Cellulite poses a challenge on the legs, which is generally not improved by liposuction, but rather worsened. Unfortunately, neither tightening cannulas nor Renuvion® are satisfactory in this area – a problem that has not yet been solved. Cellulite can then be improved by the combination of Morpheus8 and collagen boosters (Sculptra).
Treatment duration: 1½ hours infiltration, 1½ hours suction
Cost: CHF 6000.00, water jet suction, CHF 7000.00 to 8000.00 for pronounced findings
Knees often show a larger fat pad on the inside, which is very accessible to liposuction. A distinction must be made here between the fat on the inside of the knee and that which pushes down from the thigh.
The "bump" on the inside of the legs usually consists of fat, but depending on the case also of bone (particularly pronounced with knock-knees). Only the fat can be suctioned out, which can lead to a moderate result in individual cases. At the LIPOCLINIC, the fat is always removed completely.
In some women, the knee is stretched and there appears to be fat to the left and right of the kneecap. As a rule, however, this is not fat, but skin that slides over the joint on both sides of the kneecap due to gravity when standing. Unfortunately, skin cannot be suctioned off – if you tried, it would become wrinkly and delaminated.
Do the "knee test": Lie on your back and stretch your legs up towards the ceiling. If the knee is now suddenly nice and slim and defined, the tissue is mainly skin when standing. However, if the volume is unchanged in this position, it is fat and could be removed by liposuction.
In most cases, the tissue above the knee is a mixture of fat and skin. Therefore, it must always be individually assessed whether and what liposuction could and could not achieve. Depending on the findings, it is sometimes better to leave the region untreated. In some cases, liposuction can achieve a great deal of change, especially if liposuction is also performed on the inside. The knee then appears slimmer and better defined. If the skin is very soft, we sometimes recommend treatment with fat-away injections or Renuvion® to tighten the skin.
Treatment duration: ½ hour infiltration, 1 hour liposuction
Cost: CHF 2500.00 on the inside of the knee, CHF 3500.00 above the kneecap, fat-away injection from CHF 400.00
Liposuction of the lower legs and calves is very frequently requested. Fat accumulations in this area are referred to as fat distribution disorder (lipohypertrophy) and, if there is a strong pain component, as so-called lipedema (fat distribution disorder).
Liposuction usually achieves good results in the calves if the leg volume is caused by fat. Water jet liposuction is particularly recommended here, as it is very gentle on the tissue and does not damage the lymph vessels. This procedure and a very special technique make it possible to remove fat from the lower leg without causing subsequent lymphatic swelling. We specialize in this procedure and have performed it thousands of times, so far without complications.
Patients often want liposuction in the calf area so that they can wear boots again. Frequently, the removal of the increased subcutaneous fatty tissue between the knee and ankle region is desired in order to make the lower leg look slimmer. The aftercare for liposuction on the lower legs consists of wearing a compression stocking for a period of 2-8 weeks. It is possible that swelling may occur during the day for several weeks after the procedure, which will subside overnight. They disappear completely after a few weeks.
In the case of lipedema, not only the typical swelling often disappears after liposuction, but also congestion symptoms and the feeling of tightness.
Duration of treatment: 1 hour infiltration, 1 hour liposuction
Cost: CHF 6000.00, for pronounced lower legs CHF 7000.00 to CHF 8000.00 (water jet liposuction)
The calf circumference consists not only of fat, but also of muscle. It is possible to inject botulinum toxin into the gastrocnemius muscle of the calf - this makes the calf slimmer and more delicate. The effect lasts for up to a year.
The treatment takes just a few minutes and can be carried out completely pain-free in twilight sleep if required. You can go back to work immediately afterwards and return to sport after 2 days.
Cost: CHF 1200.00 for 2 ampoules, the treatment usually lasts 6-12 months
Patients often wish to have several areas removed at the same time.
The number of zones that can be treated in a single session depends on various factors such as body size, age of the patient, body weight, etc. In order to avoid serious side effects of liposuction, the number of areas that can be treated simultaneously is limited by a certain amount of tumescent solution (local anesthetic). For your own safety, it is recommended that the zones are suctioned in different treatments.
There are price reductions for combining several zones; here are some examples.
Abdomen with waist
Cost point: from CHF 5000.00 - 6000.00, with large findings and the use of Renuvion® CHF 6500.00 - CHF 8000.00
Abdomen with waist plus other zones (e.g. riding breeches, back, hips etc.)
Cost: CHF 6000.00 - 8000.00, depending on the use of Renuvion®
Riding trousers and inner thigh
Cost: CHF 4500.00 - 5500.00 (plus knee: CHF 6000.00)
Riding trousers, inner thighs and hips
Cost: CHF 6000.00 - 7000.00 (plus knee: CHF 7500.00)
Unfortunately, quality assurance for liposuction is problematic. More and more poorly trained doctors are offering liposuction, and foreign countries are tempting with low prices. This is the main reason why more and more patients are struggling with poor results after "cheap liposuction". In recent years, we have specialized in the correction of "medical botches".
We have been performing liposuction for over 15 years and have treated around 10,000 patients to date. This extensive experience and our range of state-of-the-art techniques allow us to help patients after a "botched" liposuction. In almost all cases, we can achieve an improvement and help patients regain their quality of life. Depending on the extent and the case, it can be easy to correct a failed procedure. However, correction is often very time-consuming and sometimes even requires several appointments. During the initial consultation, a way can always be found to improve the result.
Cost: from CHF 6000.00
We understand that aesthetic treatment needs to be carefully considered. We are therefore happy to take the time to answer all your questions during a free, no-obligation initial consultation. Arrange your consultation appointment today at one of our two LIPOCLINICs.
If you would like a brief online preliminary clarification before your consultation, you can also contact us by e-mail.
No matter how you want to reach us – we look forward to hearing/reading from you!
