Understanding Liposuction and Body Contouring

Liposuction is a surgical procedure used to remove localized fat deposits and reshape specific areas of the body. Common areas include the abdomen, waist, back, upper arms, thighs and chin.

It should not be considered a substitute for weight loss. Mayo Clinic and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons describe liposuction primarily as a body-contouring procedure for localized fat rather than an obesity or general weight-loss treatment.

An important part of planning is determining what is creating the contour concern.

For some patients, the main issue is excess fat with relatively good skin elasticity. Liposuction alone may therefore be considered.

For others, significant skin laxity, tissue redundancy or abdominal wall changes mean that removing fat alone may not provide the desired contour. A tummy tuck, arm lift or thigh lift may need to be considered instead of—or in selected cases together with—liposuction.

This distinction is made after clinical assessment.

Body Areas We Address

360° Abdomen Liposuction

360° abdomen liposuction approaches the midsection as more than the front of the stomach alone.

The DR. MARIS international price list defines the procedure as treatment of the:

• front abdomen
• waist
• lower back

The objective is circumferential contouring of the torso rather than simply reducing one isolated abdominal area.

During consultation, Dr. Maris assesses where fat is distributed, differences between the two sides, skin elasticity and the relationship between the abdomen, waist and back before planning the areas that may benefit from liposuction.

360° Liposuction or Tummy Tuck?

These procedures address different anatomical concerns.

Liposuction primarily addresses localized fat.

Abdominoplasty primarily addresses excess abdominal skin and may include repair or tightening of weakened abdominal musculature when clinically appropriate.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes abdominoplasty as a procedure that removes excess skin and fat while restoring weakened abdominal muscles.

If significant loose skin is present, increasing the amount of liposuction does not necessarily solve the underlying skin problem.

For some patients, Dr. Maris may therefore discuss 360° abdomen liposuction together with abdominoplasty and muscle repair. Whether these procedures should be combined depends on anatomy, health, surgical extent and individual risk assessment.

Arm Liposuction & Arm Lift

Upper-arm contour concerns may result from excess fat, loose skin, or a combination of both.

Arm Liposuction

Arm liposuction removes selected subcutaneous fat to refine upper-arm proportions when skin quality is suitable.

Arm Lift — Brachioplasty

When substantial loose skin is present, an arm lift or brachioplasty may be considered.

An arm lift involves surgical removal and reshaping of excess tissue. Because skin is removed, an incision and resulting scar are expected. The appropriate incision pattern depends on how much tissue requires correction and must be discussed during consultation.

Some patients may require liposuction alone, an arm lift alone, or a combined approach.

Thigh Liposuction & Thigh Lift

Thigh contouring must consider more than the amount of fat present.

Dr. Maris evaluates:

• fat distribution
• skin elasticity
• tissue laxity
• symmetry
• overall leg proportions

Thigh liposuction primarily reduces localized fat.

A thigh lift addresses significant loose or redundant skin that cannot be adequately corrected by fat removal alone.

Where both concerns exist, a combined surgical strategy may be considered after examination.

Back Liposuction

Back fat may form localized fullness around the upper or lower back and can affect how the waist and torso appear from multiple angles.

Back liposuction is planned according to the individual distribution of fat rather than attempting to create a standardized body shape.

For patients undergoing abdominal or waist contouring, Dr. Maris may also evaluate the relationship between the back, waist and abdomen because treating one area in isolation can influence the overall visual balance of the torso.

Double Chin Liposuction

Double chin liposuction targets localized fat beneath the chin and around the upper neck when liposuction is anatomically suitable.

Fat is not always the only reason for fullness beneath the chin. Skin laxity, facial structure and neck anatomy can also contribute.

An examination is therefore necessary before determining whether liposuction alone is appropriate.

Who May Consider Liposuction?

Liposuction may be considered by adults who have localized fat deposits that remain despite otherwise stable body weight and lifestyle measures.

Professional plastic-surgery guidance also emphasizes general health, realistic expectations and skin elasticity when evaluating potential candidates.

Suitability cannot be determined from photographs or body weight alone.

Your assessment may consider:

• current health
• previous surgery
• medications
• smoking or vaping
• weight stability
• skin elasticity
• fat distribution
• previous scars
• planned future weight changes
• pregnancy considerations where relevant
• the number of areas being considered

A recommendation is made only after individual assessment.

Dr. Maris's Approach to Body Contouring

Body contouring should begin with anatomy rather than a predetermined package.

Dr. Maris personally participates in the consultation and examination before developing a surgical plan.

The assessment focuses on questions such as:

Where is the actual source of the contour concern? Localized fat, loose skin and weakened tissue require different approaches.

Will the skin contract sufficiently after fat removal? Poor elasticity may increase the likelihood of residual loose skin.

Should several areas be considered together? The abdomen, waist and back, for example, affect the appearance of one another.

Would skin-removal surgery provide a more appropriate result than additional liposuction?

Is the proposed surgical extent appropriate for this patient?

The goal is not to perform the maximum number of procedures. It is to develop a surgical plan appropriate to the patient's anatomy, priorities and medical assessment.

How Liposuction Is Performed

Liposuction generally involves introducing a thin surgical cannula through small incisions and using suction to remove selected subcutaneous fat.

The precise technique, anesthesia plan, amount of fat to be removed and operative sequence should be determined after assessment rather than standardized from website information.

Liposuction may also be combined with another plastic surgery procedure in appropriately selected patients. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that liposuction can be performed alone or alongside procedures such as a tummy tuck.

When skin excision or abdominal muscle repair is required, the surgery becomes more extensive than liposuction alone and involves different incisions, recovery considerations and risks.

Recovery & Postoperative Care

Recovery varies significantly according to the treated area and the extent of surgery.

Liposuction of one relatively limited area is different from circumferential abdominal liposuction, and combining liposuction with a tummy tuck, arm lift or thigh lift creates a more extensive recovery.

Swelling, bruising, temporary changes in sensation and discomfort can occur after liposuction.

Patients undergoing skin-removal surgery also need to consider incision healing and scar care.

Dr. Maris will discuss postoperative instructions, activity restrictions, follow-up appointments and travel planning according to the actual procedure.

Recovery timing and the appropriate time to fly home must be determined individually.

International patients should not book a return flight based solely on a generic recovery timeline found online.

Risks & Considerations

All surgery carries potential risks.

Liposuction risks can include bleeding, infection, fluid accumulation, contour irregularity, asymmetry, changes in sensation, anesthesia-related complications, blood clots and the possible need for revision surgery. More serious complications can occur, although they are less common.

Procedures involving skin removal, including abdominoplasty and body lifts, have additional considerations such as wound-healing problems, seroma, unfavorable scarring, skin loss and persistent contour irregularity.

Your individual risks depend on your medical history, anatomy and proposed operation.

These issues should be discussed directly with Dr. Maris before consent.

Results & Realistic Expectations

Liposuction can reduce fat cells within selected areas and change body contour, but it does not prevent future weight gain.

Maintaining relatively stable body weight helps preserve the resulting contour over time.

The final appearance also depends on factors such as:

• starting anatomy
• skin elasticity
• fat distribution
• existing asymmetry
• scar formation
• healing
• weight changes
• the procedures performed

Body contouring cannot guarantee a particular waist measurement, body shape or exact appearance.

Results vary between patients.

Liposuction & Body Contouring Cost in Vietnam

DR. MARIS AESTHETICS publishes international reference pricing for individual procedures.

Important: the price list describes these amounts as indicative starting rates for the procedure only. Final pricing may vary following an in-person or video consultation. Foreign-currency values are reference conversions, and final invoicing follows the applicable bank exchange rate on the payment date.

Combined Procedures

The published price list provides separate prices for:

360° abdomen liposuction + abdominoplasty with muscle repair

and

arm liposuction + arm lift

and

thigh liposuction + thigh lift.

It does not provide an approved fixed combined-package price.

A combined surgical plan therefore requires individual assessment and a confirmed quotation.

International Patients Planning Liposuction in Vietnam

If you live outside Vietnam, the first stage of planning may begin before you book a flight.

An online consultation can help Dr. Maris understand your concerns and determine what additional information may be required.

You may be asked to provide relevant information such as:

• recent photographs for preliminary review
• previous cosmetic surgery history
• current medical conditions
• medications
• allergies
• previous abdominal or body surgery
• previous surgical reports where relevant
• your preferred areas for assessment

A remote consultation is useful for preliminary planning but does not replace the physical examination or required medical assessment before surgery.

The recommended duration of your stay in Ho Chi Minh City depends on the actual procedure, whether several operations are combined and your early recovery.

Do not assume that a timetable appropriate for isolated liposuction will also apply to a tummy tuck or combined body-contouring operation.

Why Patients Consider Dr. Maris

Patients considering body-contouring surgery with DR. MARIS AESTHETICS can expect an approach centered on direct surgeon involvement.

Dr. Maris:

• personally conducts consultations
• personally evaluates the patient's condition
• develops an individualized surgical plan
• personally performs the surgery
• participates in postoperative follow-up

The practice intentionally avoids a high-volume model in which the surgeon discussed during consultation may be different from the person performing the operation.

Surgery is performed in a hospital environment at Hong Bang International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

For international patients, online consultation may also be used to begin case assessment before travelling to Vietnam.