Liposuction is a popular cosmetic procedure in Singapore, where individuals can get a more permanent solution to attaining a flat stomach.
It’s a procedure that is typically conducted to remove excess fat from your body, giving you a slimmer figure that you may otherwise struggle to achieve using conventional methods such as exercise or fad diets.
Everything you need to know before committing to this surgical procedure will be covered here — including the steps involved, pain levels, side effects, and prices.
Read on to learn all about it and a few of the most reputable clinics that can provide you with this treatment below!
- What Is Liposuction?
- What Happens During Liposuction?
- Where Can Liposuction Procedures Be Performed?
- What Are the Types of Liposuction Procedures Offered in Singapore?
- How to Choose a Liposuction Surgeon in Singapore?
- 15 Best Clinics to Get Liposuction in Singapore
- Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that uses suction techniques to eliminate excess fat from specific areas of the body that you wish to enhance.
The process utilises suction techniques to eliminate fat cells (adipocytes) from these regions, removing stubborn fat deposits that may be difficult to target with conventional methods like exercise and diet. This results in a slimmer and more sculpted appearance.
It is also known as lipoplasty or simply “lipo.” It’s typically conducted on areas such as your belly, buttocks, thighs, arms, back, around the chin and neck, as well as one’s jowls.
What Happens During Liposuction?
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All procedures involve the use of a hollow stainless steel tube, known as a cannula, which is inserted via small incisions in the skin. Once in, the tool suctions the excess fat away from the treatment area, out of the body.
Here are the two steps involved:
Step 1: Anaesthesia
Prior to the surgical procedure, medications will be administered to ensure a comfortable and pain-free experience throughout.
You’ll be offered the choice of intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Your doctor will advise the most suitable option for your needs.
Step 2: Incision and suction
Liposuction is executed through small, discreet incisions. Initially, diluted local anaesthesia is introduced to minimise bleeding and tissue trauma.
Subsequently, a slender hollow tube, known as a cannula, fed into these incisions, gently loosening excess fat with a controlled back-and-forth motion. The loosened fat is subsequently removed from the body through the use of a surgical vacuum or a syringe connected to the cannula.
Where Can Liposuction Procedures Be Performed?
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Liposuction in Singapore is performed about a dozen times every day, and the procedure is most commonly used to treat the following regions of the body:
Arms
It’s normal to be self-conscious of the common “armpit fat” you have, or the flabs you notice underneath your arms. It serves as a quick way to renew your confidence to wear sleeveless tops, if you’ve been struggling with this concern.
Thighs
Women are especially prone to accumulating stubborn fat around their thighs, that won’t go away despite vigorous exercise or diets. It can be done to remove the fat from both the inner and outer thighs.
Abdomen and Flank
Both males and females may find that their belly bulges will not budge easily even if they are losing weight overall. For women, this issue is particularly prominent after childbirth. Liposuction can be performed to trim the excess fat around your waist, giving you a more slim and toned appearance.
Buttocks
Many women encounter a problem with the fullness of their buttocks, whereby finding clothing items such as skirts or swimwear that fit may prove to be too challenging. It might also be an additional concern amongst those with wide hips and larger inner and outer thighs.
The procedure offers a solution by significantly reducing buttock size and ensuring it suits your overall body proportions.
Upper Neck and Under the Chin
Credit @sagarpatelaesthetics/TikTok
As we get older, and especially with poor lifestyle habits, we may start seeing fat accumulating underneath our chins and around our jawlines. This can make us appear disproportionately heavier compared to the rest of our bodies and give us “double chins” that we may find unglamorous.
These spots are notoriously difficult to tackle through exercise or diet, so lipo treatments in Singapore may be the more effective solution to get more chiselled features.
Gynaecomastia
Often known as “man boobs,” gynaecomastia can be a source of significant concern for many men.
Besides these, there are other spots that it can be safely performed on, as long as they are deemed as such by a reputable clinic based on your individual assessment.
What Are the Types of Liposuction Procedures Offered in Singapore?
Traditional/Tumescent liposuction
Tumescent liposuction uses the suction-assisted method described above. This technique is particularly effective to remove fat from larger areas of the body.
In this conventional form of liposuction an adrenaline, saline, and/or local anaesthesia is injected into the treatment area. These solutions help to numb the treatment area, reduce bleeding and bruising, and facilitate faster recovery.
Power-Assisted Liposuction
Credit: Australia Cosmetic Clinics
The oscillating movement of the cannula aids the surgeon in precisely focusing on particular areas and diminishes the physical exertion needed during the procedure.
Power-assisted liposuction can lead to a more uniform and smoother elimination of fat, particularly in areas that are dense or have a high concentration of fibrous tissue.
Laser-Assisted Liposuction
Credit: Dream Plastic Surgery
Before the fat cells are removed, laser energy is used in laser-assisted liposuction to liquefy them. Small incisions are used to implant a laser fibre, which then emits thermal radiation that melts the fat. A cannula is then used to suction out the liquefied fat.
The benefit of using laser-assisted treatments is that they encourage skin tightening by stimulating collagen, which leads to improved skin firmness and contouring.
Vaser Liposuction
Credit: Shens Clinic
Vaser liposuction is an ultrasound-assisted technology, used to liquefy unwanted fat cells, breaking them down before they are suctioned out of your body entirely. This technique actually makes the fat easier to remove, especially in areas with larger amounts or denser fat.
Advancements in technology these days have also made it possible for it to be conducted practically anywhere on your body.
The most popular areas include the arms, stomach, and waist, though it has been noted that there have been cases where it has been requested for areas such as the neck, breasts, knees, ankles, back, and chest.
How to Choose a Liposuction Surgeon in Singapore?
It’s highly important that you choose a reputable clinic to undergo surgery. Your best bet is to make sure that the facility you’re considering meets Singapore’s national safety requirements. To do so, ensure that the clinic has been accredited on the Singapore Society of Plastic Surgeons’ website.
During your consultation, make sure to ask questions about the doctor’s personal experience with such types of procedures in the past and verify that they have been board-certified to perform them.
15 Best Clinics to Get Liposuction in Singapore
Amaris B. Clinic
VASER liposuction is a signature service you’ll find on the menu of Amaris B. Clinic, which is helmed by founder and medical director, Dr. Ivan Puah, an experienced MOH-accredited liposuction doctor who has received various advanced body sculpting training overseas.
But what sets Amaris B. Clinic’s body sculpting procedures apart from other liposuction providers is the incorporation of Dr. Ivan Puah’s proprietary MDC-Sculpt® Lipo technique, which allows the surgical approach to be tailored to the patient’s clinical condition, needs, and optimal goal to achieve the best possible results.
Amaris B. Clinic’s VASER Lipo with MDC-Sculpt® Lipo technique is performed by Dr. Ivan Puah, who is also the chairman of the Lipo Peer Review Committee in Singapore.
Under local anaesthesia, small incisions are made on the treatment site and the targeted fat layers will be infiltrated and numbed with a special mixture of fluid.
Then, the VASER system’s ultrasonic sound wave energy is used to gently break down the fat cells into liquefied form before Dr. Ivan Puah proceeds to siphon the melted fat with a specialised cannula while tightening and sculpting the area with his proprietary surgical approach.
Thanks to Dr. Ivan Puah’s proprietary surgical method, most of his liposuction patients have experienced very minor post-surgery discomfort which they’ve likened to muscle soreness after a workout session.
Compared to non-surgical fat reduction treatment such as cryolipolysis that claims to reduce up to 20% of fat over several sessions, you can expect more than 90% of stubborn localised fat removed in the VASER lipo treatment carried out by Dr. Ivan Puah.
Amaris B. Clinic’s VASER Lipo is an effective solution that improves disproportionate body shapes as it can effectively treat areas such as flabby arms, round abdomen, love handles (waist), thighs, and calves, which means you can consider this procedure if you’re looking for permanent removal of stubborn fat that can’t be eliminated through diet and exercise.
Above all, the team at Amaris B. Clinic puts your safety, health, and results as top priority so if you want to safely improve your silhouette, leave it to these medical professionals to help with their fully personalised approach to your treatment.
Contact Amaris B. Clinic for more information.
Polaris Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
If you’re looking for an office procedure to improve the appearance of loose, wrinkled skin or to enhance your body contours and silhouette without the drawbacks of lengthy downtime and scarring, Polaris Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery offers an innovative treatment called SCULPT that could be just what you’re looking for.
SCULPT, an acronym for Simultaneous Contouring Using Liposuction Plus (body) Tightening Using RFAL Technology, is performed as an in-office day surgery for select patients under the expert care of Dr Pek Chong Han.
With his profound expertise, he utilises radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis (RFAL) in the “Tite” procedures to reshape three-dimensional tissue by precisely applying heat to fat and supporting tissues. This advanced technique effectively melts fat tissue while simultaneously providing tightening and lifting results.
The procedure ensures minimal downtime and leaves no scarring, offering you a convenient and safe option to achieve your desired aesthetic goals.
Combined with liposuction, which removes excess fat tissue, SCULPT is a comprehensive treatment which addresses skin laxity without the need for skin excision.
Despite its effectiveness and non-invasiveness, Polaris Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery’s commitment to patient safety is actually what set SCULPT apart from other surgical procedures elsewhere.
The cutting-edge technology combined with Dr Pek Chong Han’s expertise allows precise control over temperature limits, both externally on the skin’s surface and internally within the fat and supporting tissues, using cutting-edge technology.
This ensures that heat energy is delivered specifically to the desired layers, reducing the risk of thermal harm to the skin. The meticulous monitoring of tissue temperatures also allows SCULPT to be combined with other surgical sessions to increase the overall efficacy of the treatments.
Whether you’re a young mom looking to improve your body shape after pregnancy, an athlete looking to improve your athletic contours, or an individual looking to lose excess fat volume or droopy skin, SCULPT may be the solution for you, and you’ll be in good hands with Dr Pek Chong Han at Polaris Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.
Contact Polaris Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery for more information.
David Loh Surgery
David Loh Surgery was founded over two decades ago, and the clinic focuses on aesthetic procedures that involve little or no recovery. In fact, Dr David Loh and his peers, are credited for having popularised the concept of the “lunch-time” makeovers.
Dr Loh is MOH accredited to conduct liposuction in Singapore. The liposuction services offered at his clinic include Vaser liposuction, Vaser liposelection, HiDefinition Liposculpture, Traditional Liposuction, and SmartLipo.
With over 18 years of experience, Dr Loh presently serves as the president of the Society of Aesthetic Medicine. He has also trained other doctors in the medical profession on various surgical techniques.
Shens Clinic
Shens Clinic is famous for its specialisation in K0rean-style plastic surgery. The clinic’s founder, Dr Shenthilkumar Naidu (Dr Shens), is a surgeon who has been practising since 1998 and is certified by the Royal College.
He distinguishes himself from other top plastic surgeons in Singapore by offering a variety of procedures done in a Korean way and providing all-encompassing treatments.
Dr Shens specialises mostly in cosmetic operations for the body, face, and eyes. In terms of liposuction services, the clinic offers a 4D High-Definition Vaser Liposuction and Lipo Abdominoplasty.
Another perk is that Shens Clinic also provides online consultations via WhatsApp and Zoom, allowing you to obtain additional information about your desired procedure conveniently from your own home.
Dr Marco Faria Correa Plastic Surgery Pte Ltd
With almost 40 years of experience, Dr Marco Faria Correa is a globally acclaimed plastic surgeon with expertise in endoscopy and abdominoplasty.
He holds certification from various international societies of plastic surgery, including ISAPS, SAPS, SBCP, and the Asia Pacific Hernia Society, showcasing his dedication to the field.
Notably, Dr Correa is a member of the Robotic Assisted Microsurgical & Endoscopic Society (RAMSES), making him one of the select few practitioners worldwide authorised to utilise robotic technology in their practice.
While he currently practises in Singapore, he also provides his services and expertise in Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Apart from traditional liposuction, Dr Correa offers an array of other procedures, including microsurgery, non-surgical aesthetic treatments, reconstructive, and plastic surgery.
Leslie Kuek Plastic Surgery Clinic
With a proven track record of successful surgery outcomes over the past 30 years, Leslie Kuek Plastic Surgery is another clinic you can count on for your liposuction needs.
They not only provide a large selection of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, but also strongly recognise the need for patient empowerment and education.
The clinic works hard to give patients the information and resources they need to decide on their treatments confidently and comfortably throughout the entire process.
They specialise in liposculpture, giving you the defined features you’ve always wanted!
Alaxis Medical and Aesthetic Surgery
This clinic is lead by Dr Donald Ng, one of the 45 practitioners who got approved by the Ministry of Health to perform liposuction in Singapore in 2020.
Alaxis Medical and Aesthetic Surgery uses the latest equipment and techniques to ensure all clients receive effective and safe treatments. They offer three forms of liposuction services — traditional liposuction, Vaser liposuction, and Zeltique (coolsculpting).
Colin Tham Plastic Surgery
As a renowned plastic surgery clinic that does liposuction in Singapore, Colin Tham Plastic Surgery has garnered a steady following over the years for its range of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic operations.
The clinic is led by Dr. Colin Tham, who is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in the industry. He was also one of the two pioneering plastic surgeons who were individually trained by the Vaser HiDefinition technique’s developer, Dr. Alfredo Hoyos.
With over 20 years of cosmetic surgery practice under his belt, many former patients have praised Dr Colin and his team for exhibiting great professionalism, expertise, and compassion. They also commented that the treatments were customised to suit their needs as the doctors took the time to listen to their worries and goals.
The main liposuction procedures they offer include Vaser liposuction, Vaser Hi-Def Lipo, HiDefinition 4D Vaser, as well as Vaser smooth.
The clinic also features state-of-the-art facilities, making Colin Tham Plastic Surgery is a good choice for a safe and effective clinic to undergo liposuction in Singapore.
Hong Plastic Surgery
With almost four decades of experience, leading surgeon Dr Hong Soo Wan promises clients of the clinic world-class care and services to meet all their desired aesthetic goals.
They’ve received many positive reviews from many satisfied clients, who expressed their gratitude for the staff’s care, expertise, and sense of professionalism.
Hong Plastic Surgery offers traditional liposuction services, amongst many other procedures such as tummy tuck surgery, droopy eyelid surgery, and facial contouring.
Sweng Plastic Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery
The clinic is home to Dr Ng Siew Weng, a highly-experienced surgeon who specialises in liposuction and fat grafting for the most natural-looking results.
He’s well known in the industry for his extensive experience spanning over three decades, as well as his charitable reconstructive services rendered to those who have suffered burns or have birth defects.
Dr Sweng’s clinic is integrated into the Farrer Park Medical Centre, a complex featuring a hotel, medical centre, and spa. These amenities allow you to kick back and relax while you recover from your liposuction procedure!
Allure Plastic Surgery
Another reputable clinic to get liposuction in Singapore is Allure Plastic Surgery, which is led by Dr Samuel Ho. This elegant centre specialises in mummy makeovers, including SAFELipo services, tummy tucks, and breast surgery.
Dr Samuel himself also has several publications under his name in medical journals, which speaks to his expertise in the aesthetic medicine field!
Moreover, the clinic has also earned praise for Dr. Samuel’s compassionate efforts, as he volunteers and performs surgeries pro bono for individuals in need. He also provides service packages to clients, enabling them to access multiple treatments at affordable rates.
Their competitive prices and personalised service apply not only to locals but international customers as well! In fact, many reviews made by international clients have commended the clinic for their accommodative service, as they provided chauffeur services to the hotels they were staying at.
As a well-known medical aesthetics facility, The Clifford Clinic provides a variety of non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
To ensure their patients obtain the greatest outcome, they champion top-tier minimally invasive and non-surgical aesthetic treatments that produce natural-looking results with little to no downtime.
Numerous pleased clients have left the clinic sharing testimonials in which they laud the professionalism, consideration, and expertise of the staff and surgeons who served them.
The Clifford Clinic also makes itself available to more patients by providing affordable prices and flexible payment options.
You can also rest assured that products and treatments administered will be of premium grade, and they are a proud partner of SkinCeuticals, which is one of the top dermatologist-recommended skincare ranges backed by science.
Dr Leo Aesthetic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Dr Leo Kah Woon, a board-certified cosmetic surgeon with the Ministry of Health, graduated from the National University of Singapore with his MBBS.
He also got a Masters of Medicine in Surgery in 2004, from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2004.
After emerging as the top performer of the Plastic Surgery Exit Exams, Dr Leo was awarded the esteemed College of Surgeons Gold Medal. Before beginning his solo practice in 2014, he worked as a consultant surgeon at Singapore General Hospital.
He has a keen passion in using liposuction to sculpt the body, and the clinic offers both traditional liposuction and Vaser liposuction.
Aesthetic and Reconstructive Centre
The Aesthetic and Reconstructive Centre (ARC) is a renowned plastic surgery clinic situated within the prestigious Mount Elizabeth Hospital’s medical centre.
Led by Dr Andrew Khoo, a prominent figure in Singapore’s plastic surgery field, ARC specialises in a comprehensive array of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, including body contouring through liposuction.
Dr Khoo is a former President of the Singapore Society of Cosmetic Surgeons and a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
To ensure you get a thorough understanding of the procedure and expected outcome, the medical team at Aesthetic and Reconstructive Centre will use a variety of text, diagrams, and audiovisual aids, including VR and clinical photographs to provide detailed explanations.
Consultation sessions will also be held with the goal of ensuring that the most suitable treatment option is recommended to you.
Woffles Wu Aesthetic Surgery
Woffles Wu Aesthetic Surgery is led by Dr Woffles Wu, a world-renowned plastic surgeon. Armed with an impeccable eye for beauty, Dr Wu has been dubbed by the Hongkong press as Asia’s Beauty Guru.
Today, he is one of the most sought-after speakers around the world for his expertise on aesthetic procedures.
Besides being situated in Singapore, the clinic also has established branches in Shanghai and Hangzhou. The liposuction services offered at the clinic include high-volume liposuction and traditional liposuction, and they offer several other treatments as well, including browlifts, breast augmentation, and buccal fat removal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction
What Is the Recovery Process Like?
If you’re getting the procedure done for the first time, you might be concerned about the recovery process.
Thankfully, you should expect to feel like yourself again approximately two weeks after the surgery. You may experience signs of healing, such as bruising, swelling, and soreness, which should subside as your body recovers.
If your pains become severe, get in touch with your healthcare provider.
Credit: Pexels
You can expect to resume your usual physical activities, such as exercise, within six weeks from the procedure, though a full recovery and healing of your body may take up to six months.
The duration of recovery varies from person to person and hinges on the amount of fat removed and the treated area. Your surgeon will also have a personal discussion with you to provide you with a specific recovery timeline!
During the initial few weeks post-op, most doctors recommend limiting your physical activity to ensure your body gets ample rest.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate?
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It is important that you meet the requirements in order to ensure a safe and effective procedure. Here are the factors that make you a suitable candidate:
- adult age
- average or slightly above-average weight
- good overall health
- firm skin with elasticity and muscle tone
- areas of fat that are unresponsive to diet and exercise
- no habit of smoking
Additionally, your surgeon will do a thorough evaluation to examine if it is right for you, before recommending the best solution for your needs.
What Are the Side Effects and Potential Risks?
Although liposuction is known to be a generally safe procedure, it should be done by a certified practitioner in a reputable facility, and like all surgeries, there are risks to be aware of.
Some common complications include:
- numbness
- bruising
- swelling
- asymmetry in the treatment area
- scarring
Although much rarer, these more severe complications should be accounted for as well:
- deep vein thrombosis
- pulmonary embolism (artery blockage in the lungs)
- fat embolism (blood vessel blockage by a fat particle)
- skin necrosis (death of skin tissue)
- excess fluid loss, resulting in shock
Although it aims to treat most irregularities in fat distribution and body shape in one session, sometimes, a follow-up surgery might be required.
What Is the Average Cost in Singapore?
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According to Human, it typically costs about S$15,000 to S$25,000. Most surgeons in Singapore will offer the treatment on five body parts, with liposuction costing about S$1,500 to S$2,800 per region.
Most doctors will not share the cost on their online pages as the price varies depending on the customer’s needs. To get the best estimate, you’re recommended to make an appointment for a detailed consultation and physical examination.
That being said, we’d recommend being careful about choosing a clinic or surgeon to get the procedure done solely based on the costs alone, as quality and safety should be of utmost priority!
Featured image credit: @molsinpire and @rbbeautybox/ TikTok
