HD liposuction at a glance
- Duration30 min to 2 h
- AnaesthesiaSedation or general
- Hospital stayDay surgery or 1 night
- Time off work7 days
- Final result3 to 6 months
- Price€2,500 to €15,000
HD liposuction, or high-definition liposuction, permanently removes localised fat deposits, in women and men alike: abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, knees, arms, neck, calves or ankles. It is vibration-assisted (Microaire), for more even and more precise work. It takes 30 minutes to 2 hours at the Clinique Oxford, as day surgery or with one night’s stay. The scars are millimetre-sized, time off work is 7 days and the final result can be judged between 3 and 6 months. It is not a weight-loss method.
Price: on a written quote after the consultation (pre-operative consultation: €100); procedure €2,500 to €15,000.
HD liposuction, cryolipolysis or abdominoplasty?
The right treatment depends on the amount of fat to be removed and, above all, on the quality of the skin. A small fat deposit on good-quality skin can be treated without surgery by cryolipolysis. Thin, stretch-marked or slack skin, or abdominal muscles that have separated after pregnancy, are better suited to an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).
| HD liposuction | Cryolipolysis | Abdominoplasty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it treats | Localised fat deposits, including fibrous fat; good-quality skin | Small localised fat deposit; good-quality skin | Excess abdominal skin, stretch marks, separated muscles |
| Anaesthesia | Local with sedation or general | None | General |
| Duration | 30 minutes to 2 hours | 1 to 2 hours per session | 2 to 3 hours |
| Where | Clinique Oxford, day surgery or one night | At the practice | Clinique Oxford, one to two nights |
| Scars | Millimetre-sized (2 to 3 mm) | None | Around the navel and horizontal, hidden by swimwear |
| Time off work | 7 days | None | 15 to 21 days |
| Final result | 3 to 6 months | 3 months | 3 months (scars: 12 months) |
| Price | €2,500 to €15,000 | From €500 | €5,000 to €10,000 |
Which areas can be treated?
In women, liposuction most often treats the abdomen, the flanks (“love handles”), the hips (“saddlebags”), the inner thighs and inner knees, the arms, the armpits, the neck (double chin), the calves and the ankles. In men, it mainly concerns the neck, abdomen, flanks and a fatty chest (adipomastia). A buffalo hump, a fatty deposit at the base of the back of the neck, can also be treated with vibration-assisted liposuction.
Abdominal liposuction
This is the area treated most often. Only the fat under the skin can be suctioned; the fat surrounding the intestines, inside the abdomen, only decreases with weight loss. Dr Médard de Chardon most often treats the abdomen and flanks together, circumferentially, through three incisions on the abdomen and two for the love handles.
Liposuction of the legs, calves and ankles
The leg is a narrow area with pronounced contours: it is sculpted circumferentially, in three dimensions, respecting the normal muscle contours. An examination first rules out venous or lymphatic insufficiency, with a phlebologist (vein specialist) if necessary. Compression stockings are worn for at least a month and a daily anticoagulant injection is prescribed for 8 days.
Liposuction in diagrams
Eleven areas, front and back
The areas most often treated, in blue-green. Tap an area to show it on its own; several areas are often treated during the same operation.
Only the fat under the skin is suctioned
Before: a thick layer of fat under the skin, above the abdominal muscles.
- 1Skin, which must retract
- 2Fat under the skin: suctioned
- 3Abdominal muscles
- 4Deep fat, around the intestines: never suctioned
- 5Fine round-tipped cannula, vibrating (Microaire)
- 6Incision of 2 to 3 mm
Slimming the figure without weight loss
Before: fat deposits on the flanks, hips (saddlebags), thighs, knees and calves.
Illustrative diagram: the result depends on the quality of the skin and can be judged between 3 and 6 months.
What does “HD” mean? Assisted high-definition liposuction
Emulsifying fat by vibration. A fine, round-tipped cannula driven by vibration (power-assisted liposuction, Microaire device, CE- and FDA-marked) emulsifies the fat without forcing the tissues: the cannula glides more easily and the surgeon can concentrate on even suction, preserving blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics. It limits bruising and irregularities and shortens both the operation and recovery. It is essential for fibrous fat: after major weight loss, in men, for a “buffalo hump” or for a second liposuction. Continuous cooling protects the skin during the procedure.
Emulsifying fat by laser. Fat can also be prepared with a laser before being suctioned (laser-assisted lipolysis). A very fine fibre, inserted through the same millimetre-sized incisions, delivers energy that ruptures the fat cells and liquefies the fat. Suction is then gentler on the tissues, which helps in treating small areas and fibrous fat (neck, arms, knees, second liposuction). The heat delivered is monitored continuously to protect the skin.
Optimising skin retraction with internal radiofrequency. When the skin is at risk of retracting poorly after suction, internal radiofrequency can be added at the same time. A probe placed under the skin, guided by an external electrode, heats the deep surface of the skin and the fibrous septa of the fat in a controlled way, with continuous temperature measurement. This heat immediately contracts the collagen fibres and then stimulates the production of new collagen for several months: the skin tightens better. On moderately loose skin (abdomen, arms, neck, inner thighs), it can avoid the need for surgery with a scar; very slack skin still requires an abdominoplasty or a lift.
Liposuction combined with fat transfer or abdominoplasty
The suctioned fat can be purified and reinjected during the same operation, for example to shape the buttocks (Brazilian butt lift) or the breasts (breast fat transfer). When the skin or abdominal muscles are loose, liposuction can be combined with an abdominoplasty; it is sometimes safer to do the liposuction first, then the abdominoplasty 3 to 6 months later.
Why is even liposuction demanding?
- The result depends on how even the technique is: uneven suction leaves visible hollows or ripples.
- The skin must retract; liposuction alone has to be ruled out when the skin quality is insufficient.
- Fibrous fat (after weight loss, in men, second liposuction) resists a conventional cannula.
- Some areas are narrow and contoured, such as the calves, ankles and knees.
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience in liposuction
Dr Médard de Chardon has performed more than 1,800 liposuctions. He uses vibration assistance systematically, particularly for the legs, and offers cryolipolysis at the practice when surgery is not needed. See the liposuction before and after photos.
Who is HD liposuction for?
It is for women and men aged 18 and over who still have localised fat deposits despite a balanced diet and physical activity, at a stable weight. The skin must be elastic enough to retract: thin, stretch-marked or slack skin is better suited to an abdominoplasty or a lift. Age matters less than skin quality: patients over 50 are often very satisfied with it.
How does liposuction work?
- Pre-operative consultationAt the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes, Cannes: examination of the areas and of the skin quality, check for a hernia or venous insufficiency, choice of technique, information on the risks and a detailed written quote.
- Cooling-off periodThe law requires at least 15 days between receiving the quote and the procedure.
- Anaesthetic consultationWith an anaesthetist (anaesthesia and intensive care specialist).
- ProcedureAt the Clinique Oxford in Cannes, under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia, from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the number of areas; home the same day or the next day.
- Follow-upPost-operative consultations with Dr Médard de Chardon and his team.
Recovery and return to activities
- Pain: moderate, like muscle stiffness; it is relieved by simple painkillers.
- Bruising: 7 to 21 days.
- Swelling: most of it goes within 3 weeks, then the figure continues to slim down for up to 6 months.
- Stitches: none to remove; the stitches are dissolvable, under the skin.
- Compression: compression shorts (panty) for 2 to 4 weeks; compression stockings only if you already wore them for venous-lymphatic insufficiency, and for at least a month after leg liposuction.
- Shower from the next day; swimming pool and sea after 15 days.
- Walking from the same day; everyday activities from day 3; 7 days off work.
- Lymphatic drainage or LPG massage: sometimes offered from 3 weeks.
- Result: first effects visible in the 3rd week, final result between 3 and 6 months; scars final at 12 months.
Where will you be?
14 days after the procedure
Risks and complications
Like any surgery, liposuction carries risks, which are rare when it is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon in an approved facility. The main ones are surface irregularities or asymmetry, especially on average-quality skin, and temporary changes in skin sensation. More rarely, phlebitis (deep vein thrombosis) occurs; it is prevented by walking from the same day and, after leg liposuction, by compression stockings and 8 days of anticoagulant treatment. Combining several procedures lengthens the operating time and increases these risks. They are explained in detail at the consultation.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
Maintaining the result
The fat cells removed do not grow back: the result lasts as long as your weight remains stable. Significant weight gain can, however, enlarge the remaining cells. A balanced diet and regular physical activity are enough to maintain it; a small touch-up can be done with cryolipolysis, without surgery.
Before and after photos
Prominent abdomen and flanks in an 18-year-old woman
Circumferential abdominal liposuction
Love handles in a woman
Liposuction of the love handles
Leg liposuction: ankles, calves and inner knees
Liposuction of large calves
See all the liposuction before and after photos
How much does HD liposuction cost in Cannes?
€2,500 to €15,000
The price depends on the number of areas treated and the amount of fat. It is set on a written quote after the pre-operative consultation (€100) and ranges from €2,500 to €15,000. Cosmetic liposuction is not reimbursed by French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie) or by mutuelles (top-up health insurance). Book on Doctolib or call +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68.
Frequently asked questions about HD liposuction
What is the difference between liposuction and lipoaspiration?
None: the two words describe the same procedure, which suctions out localised fat with fine cannulas inserted through incisions a few millimetres long. “HD” (high definition) here means vibration-assisted liposuction, which is more even and more precise.
Does liposuction make you lose weight?
No. It slims the figure by removing localised fat deposits, but it does not replace weight loss. The fat around the intestines, inside the abdomen, cannot be suctioned.
Is the result of liposuction permanent?
Yes, the fat cells removed do not grow back. The result lasts as long as your weight remains stable; it can be judged between 3 and 6 months.
Does liposuction leave scars?
The incisions are 2 to 3 mm long and placed in discreet areas. The stitches are dissolvable, under the skin: there are no stitches to remove, and the scars are usually hard to see at 12 months.
Is liposuction painful?
The pain is moderate, comparable to muscle stiffness, especially when sitting down or getting up. Bruising appears for 7 to 21 days and compression shorts are worn for 2 to 4 weeks.
When can I return to work and sport after liposuction?
Walking resumes the same day and everyday activities from day 3. Time off work is 7 days on average; swimming pool and sea are possible after 15 days.
Liposuction or cryolipolysis: which should I choose?
Cryolipolysis treats a small fat deposit without surgery or anaesthesia, with a result at 3 months. Liposuction removes more fat, more precisely, and also treats fibrous fat. The choice is made at the consultation, depending on the amount of fat and the quality of the skin.
Can the fat suctioned during liposuction be reused?
Yes. Once purified, it can be reinjected during the same operation to shape the buttocks or enlarge the breasts (fat transfer, lipofilling). The choice is made at the consultation.
How much does HD liposuction cost in Cannes?
The price depends on the number of areas treated. It is set on a written quote after the pre-operative consultation (€100) and ranges from €2,500 to €15,000. Cosmetic liposuction is not reimbursed by Assurance Maladie or by mutuelles.