What to combine with LIPOSUCTION for best body contouring results?

Combination procedures are a major factor within Ocean Clinic’s patient consultation. Once the patient’s situation and requirements are analysed the team will communicate their recommended treatments to achieve the desired results. Very often a surgical procedure will be accompanied by a non-surgical treatment in order to reach optimum results with minimal down time and recovery. 

With liposuction this is very often the case, it is actually quite uncommon that liposuction is performed as a singular procedure. For example, liposuction from one region of the body can provide the necessary material for a fat transfer to another. Have you heard of the ‘mommy make over’ or ‘daddy do-over’? Both approach multiple areas of the body using a combination of procedures to sculpt and improve the overall shape and appearance. 

Liposuction is a highly sought after treatment as it is a sure fire way to achieve long-lasting body shape goals that are otherwise difficult to attain. It is a treatment after which the results are clear and impressive with before and after shots revealing vast improvements. Men tend to lean towards abdominal sculpting and athletic definition, as do women, but they often first focus on body curves and smooth contours. 

Liposuction often entails a connected procedure; one of the most common is to combine it with skin tightening treatments. 

Am I a good candidate for liposuction? 

It is important, if considering liposuction to research the procedure and deduce whether you are a good candidate prior to a consultation - there may be a far more suitable option for your specific case. For example, if you happen to have lost a considerable amount of weight and want to get rid of that last pocket of stubborn fat, liposuction may be an option but in combination with a tummy tuck. The reason being that all the loosened skin from the weight loss will become even looser after liposuction and require excision to become tightened. 

What is the most effective type of liposuction? 

Liposuction techniques continuously evolve - at Ocean Clinic, Marbella we prefer to use 360 water jet assisted liposuction as it reduces bruising and … quicker recovery time. 

Our preferred technique at Ocean Clinic is the most comprehensive of all the types of liposuction in that it removes fat from all sides of the torso. We can also offer thigh liposuction using a more specific to the leg technique. 

What should I combine with liposuction? 

No matter the age or skin quality of a patient, liposuction will generally cause some level of skin laxity, and so the most effective results for liposuction are achieved by combining the procedure with skin tightening treatments. In some cases liposuction can further loosen already saggy or crepe-like skin and so it requires a further treatment in order to leave the skin looking youthful and tightened around the treated area. There are various options for aesthetic skin tightening; at Ocean Clinic we offer a range of energy-based options such as radio frequency or micro focused ultrasound devices - which is selected all depends on the individual skin type, severity and skin laxity in question. The skin tightening treatments restore the elasticity that has been lost and also improve skin quality. See the detailed information below on Ocean Clinic’s skin tightening treatments. 

Will a combination of treatments mean a longer recovery time? 

The recovery time itself will not be extended, patients generally return to work or normal life activities within the same amount of time however there may be a bit more inflammation with the introduction of energy-based treatments on top of the liposuction. The affected area may be more swollen and puffy than if the skin tightening treatment had not been added. This will reduce within 4-6 weeks. 

Further information on Ocean Clinic, Marbella’s aesthetic department complimentary non-surgical treatments for liposuction…

Argon Plasma-Driven Radiofrequency

One new technology we've recently begun using in conjunction with body contouring surgeries is argon plasma-driven radiofrequency. The argon plasma-driven radiofrequency device aids in the shrinking of skin and tissue, during the surgery itself, thus tightening the skin and removing/reducing the need for surgical excision. The device uses pressurised argon gas to drive radiofrequency energy into a hollow cannula, this is moved around - similarly to a liposuction cannula - rapidly heating small sections of subcutaneous collagen to 85ºC. The heat generates a rapid, strong contraction of the collagen causing a 40-50% reduction in length. Skin tone continuously improves for up to a year as new collagen develops within the treated tissue. 

The most important thing to do when considering liposuction is to contact a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss your options; feel free to contact Ocean Clinic, Marbella for a consultation. 

Microfocused Ultrasound for Skin Tightening

Neocollagenesis is an expression to describe a process that induces new collagen fibres in various layers of the skin and the subcutaneous layers. Various devices and technologies are on the market to induce neocollagenesis by delivering heat into the skin and create a thermal microtrauma leading to a reformation of elastic fibres. The challenge with any device is to effectively deliver enough energy into the right layer to stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin and to achieve a satisfactory clinical result.

At the Ocean Clinic Group our mission is to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new devices and technology and to deliver results that meet our patients´ expectations. Up to date micro-focused ultrasound is the best and most versatile collagen stimulating technology available on the market. It can deliver thermal energy (heat) into 3 different depths of skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production in different skin levels, it can treat different skin densities and is FAA approved as a non-surgical lifting device.

Microfocused Ultrasound - what to know beforehand …

We have been using the Ultherapy device for many years with a very high satisfaction rate among our patient, resulting in treatment protocols individualized for every patient and based on the following standards:

Use of the ultrasound imaging provided by the device to visualize and customize our protocols according to each area treated and each patient.

Use of a potent numbing cream adapted to each patient’s sensibility to make the treatment comfortable and painless.

Use of the device in combination with other treatments if needed to achieve the desired aesthetic result.

To achieve neocollagenesis in all levels and layers of the skin is one of the pillars of our 3-dimensional approach to restore a youthful look, starting with achieving better skin texture on the surface and reaching down to the deep subcutaneous fascia layer where tightening of the fibres counteracts the soft tissue decent created by gravitational forces and loss of projection.

Normally MFU-V treatments have no downtime and very low rate of complications with results lasting for 1 – 1,5 years, depending on the severity of collagen loss and area treated. Depending on severity, vectors and depth of tissue layers it can be used as a unique lifting treatment for the face, the neck, chest or body areas, or it may be combined with other treatments such as injectable fillers, IPL/lasers, Injectables, microneedling, body tightening, biostimulators, to prepare fat grafting, or for post-surgical maintenance treatments. Ultherapy can also be used as a preventive antiaging treatment.

There is no need for special skin preparation before the treatment.

⇒ Microfocused ultrasound

Radiofrequency - Exilis Elite®

Exilis Elite® is a MONOPOLAR radiofrequency technology that does not use vacum. It generates heat in differente depths depending on the transducer used and the cooling promoted on the surface. The treatment targets the superficial fat layer, superficial fascia layer and deep dermis. Through heat that can reach 39-42 degrees new collagen and elastin are stimulated in an indirect manner through proteins that are generated by the cells exposed to heat.

Also fat cell membranes are targeted generating a redistribution of free liquid fat inside the cells that makes them shrink. Therefore ths machine can be used on face, body and intimate areas to bring a tightening effect and improvement in lubrication. Also can be used as a combo for body treatment to improve fat excess in some areas and also improvement of celulite appearance. It takes from 4-8 sessions depending on area treated and the target (tightening or fat reduction) and no downtime.

Radiofrequency - Venus Legacy®

Venus Legacy® is a BIPOLAR radiofrequency technology with pulsed eletromagnetic fields (PEMF) that increase the effictiveness of the device. This device uses vacuum that enhances the penetration of the heat and is ideal for some body types (cex. Celulite or accumulated fat with local edema, post surgical and many others). It generates heat in differente depths depending on the transducer used. The treatment target superficial fat layer, superficial fascia layer and deep dermis. New collagen and elastin are stimulated in a indirect manner through proteins that are generated by the cells exposed to heat.

Also fat cell membranes are targeted generating a redistribution of free liquid fat inside the cells that makes them shrink. Therefore this machine can be used on face, body areas to bring tightening, fast resolution of edema and also can be used as a combo for body treatment to improve fat excess in some areas and also improvement of celulite appearance. It takes from 6-10 sessions depending on area treated and the target (tightening or fat reduction) and no downtime.

IPL / Laser treatments

There are numerous signs of aged or unhealthy skin: sun spots, lack of collagen, large pores, thick or rough skin texture, hyper- or hypopigmented areas, superficial wrinkles and many more. Over the last years many new technologies were introduced in the aesthetic market trying to treat or at least control those conditions.

At Ocean Clinic we consider the treatment of all the different layers of the skin an important pillar of a 3-dimensional rejuvenation process. There are many different cellular structures that play a role in skin ageing such as melanocytes (they produce the melanin pigment), vessels, immunologic cells and the famous elastic fibres of the skin (Collagen / Elastin). Any rejuvenation treatment should be very selective when treating those structures to avoid damage to other structures, this is why we believe in a multi-level, multi-technology approach for our anti-ageing and skin rejuvenations treatments.

• Ablative RF (Venus Viva™) used for skin tightening, stimulation of collagen / elastin fibres and treatment of pigment disorders, stretch marks and scars.

The rate of complications with IPL / Laser treatments is very low with the right patient selection and when right conditions are addressed with the adequate technology. In some patients skin preparation is needed before a treatment, especially in patients with darker skin or melasma. The aftercare is very important and each technology has specific recommendations that our team will explain to you.