Guide to cosmetic body surgery in Switzerland: understand, compare, choose

An abdomen that no longer flattens despite exercise, hips that resist every diet, slack skin after a pregnancy or major weight loss, arms that wobble, buttocks lacking curve: there are many reasons to be interested in cosmetic body surgery, and just as many procedures to address them. Conventional or technology-assisted liposuction, high-definition liposuction, abdominoplasty, arm or thigh lifts, buttock augmentation, combined programmes after pregnancy, lipoedema treatment: it is easy to get lost. This guide aims to help you find your way. It explains how a silhouette is built, what each major family of procedures can and cannot do, how to choose between them according to your situation, how body surgery generally unfolds, what the common risks are, how provision and prices are distributed in Switzerland, and how to prepare your plans. Each procedure has its own detailed page, to which this guide refers.

Cosmetic body surgery comprises three major families of procedures. The first remove fat: this is liposuction, in its various forms. The second remove skin and tighten the tissues: abdominoplasty, and arm, thigh or lower body lifts. The third add volume: buttock augmentation with fat or implants, and cosmetic hip implants. The choice depends above all on skin quality, the amount of fat, the condition of the muscles and your goals. Most of these procedures are performed under general anaesthesia, with a stay of one night to a few days and a recovery of one to six weeks depending on the extent. They are generally at the patient's expense, with the exception of certain medical situations such as lipoedema or significant excess skin after bariatric surgery, under conditions. Budget guidelines are on the page on cosmetic body surgery prices in Switzerland.

These guidelines are indicative; they vary with the extent of the procedure and your health.

When several areas bother you and they cannot all be treated at once, it is often logical to start with the one that bothers you most, or the one that requires the biggest procedure, such as the abdomen. Liposuction of small areas can sometimes be combined. The surgeon helps set priorities, taking safety and recovery into account.

Some areas influence one another. Slimming the flanks highlights the buttocks; filling the buttocks makes the waist look slimmer; flattening the abdomen changes how the chest is perceived. That is why the surgeon often thinks in terms of combinations, seeking the greatest effect with as few procedures as possible.

All body contouring surgery can be summed up in three verbs. Remove: liposuction takes away localised fat that resists diet and exercise. Tighten: abdominoplasty and lifts remove excess skin and tighten the tissues when the skin can no longer retract on its own. Fill: fat transfer or implants add volume where it is lacking, notably to the buttocks. Many plans combine several of these verbs: removing fat from the hips and reinjecting it into the buttocks, tightening abdominal skin and suctioning the flanks. Understanding this logic helps you grasp why the surgeon proposes a particular combination.

The first body contouring procedures, at the start of the twentieth century, mainly consisted of removing large flaps of skin and fat from the abdomen, at the cost of significant scars. Modern abdominoplasty, with repositioning of the navel and muscle repair, developed in the middle of the century. The real revolution came at the end of the 1970s with the invention of liposuction, which made it possible to remove fat through small incisions. Tumescent infiltration in the 1980s made liposuction safer and less bloody. Since then, many technologies have been added: ultrasound, laser, vibrating cannulas, radiofrequency. In parallel, fat transfer has become established as a way of adding volume with the patient's own tissue. Finally, the growth of bariatric surgery has given rise to a genuine speciality of surgery after weight loss.

Today, body surgery is moving towards more comprehensive and natural approaches. Rather than treating a single isolated area, surgeons treat the silhouette as a whole, from every angle. Techniques aim to preserve skin quality and shorten recovery. Fat transfer allows volume to be moved rather than simply removed. Safety has also improved, with stricter rules, notably for buttock fat transfer and the duration of combined procedures.

In Switzerland, liposuction remains the most requested body contouring procedure, followed by abdominoplasty. Demand for high-definition liposuction, buttock fat transfer and surgery after weight loss is growing. Patients increasingly seek natural results, a short recovery and clear information on risks and prices. The major cities have the most varied provision, but every region has qualified surgeons.

Our page on body contouring surgery gives an overview of the approaches to reshaping the body. This guide sets out the main points and directs you to each detailed procedure.

To understand what each procedure can do, you need to know the layers that make up the silhouette. On the surface is the skin, more or less thick and elastic depending on age, heredity, sun exposure and weight changes. Under the skin, a first layer of fat, called superficial, gives smoothness and softness to the contours; it is often partitioned by fibrous bands, which cause the dimpled appearance of cellulite. Deeper down, a second, looser layer of fat is the one that varies most with weight and forms localised deposits. Next comes a fibrous membrane, then the muscles. Finally, inside the abdomen, around the organs, lies visceral fat, which cosmetic surgery cannot reach.

Many people are surprised that liposuction cannot flatten a firm, bulging abdomen. The reason is simple: if the fat is inside the abdomen, around the organs, no cannula can reach it safely. A simple test helps you see this: if you can pinch a significant thickness of fat under the skin, liposuction can help; if the fold is thin while the abdomen is round and hard, deep fat or separated muscles are responsible. In the first case, weight loss and physical activity are the answer; in the second, muscle repair during an abdominoplasty.

In women, the abdomen is often changed by pregnancies: stretched skin, stretch marks, separated muscles, fat below the navel. Abdominoplasty frequently has a role here. In men, the abdomen is more often rounded by fat, partly inside the abdomen; liposuction suits fat under the skin, but does not correct an abdomen bulging because of internal fat. The surgeon distinguishes these situations at the examination by pinching the fat and asking you to tighten your abdominal muscles.

Standing, pinch the skin and fat of your abdomen between thumb and index finger. If you grasp a significant thickness, the fat is under the skin and liposuction can help. If the fold is thin while your abdomen is round, the fat is mainly inside the abdomen, or it is the muscles that are separated. Lying down, raise your head slightly: if a ridge appears along the midline, your muscles are probably separated. These tests do not replace the surgeon's examination, but they help prepare for the consultation.

A large waist measurement, linked to fat inside the abdomen, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Liposuction, which removes only fat under the skin, does not reduce this risk. Only weight loss, a suitable diet and regular physical activity act on internal fat. This is another reason to see cosmetic surgery as a complement to, not an alternative to, a healthy lifestyle.

Under the influence of hormones, women tend to store fat on the hips, thighs, buttocks and lower abdomen, while men store it more on the abdomen, flanks and chest, and inside the abdomen. These differences explain why requests differ: saddlebags and inner thighs in women, love handles and abdomen in men. They also explain why certain areas stubbornly resist all efforts.

A silhouette is judged as a whole, from the front, in profile and from behind. Slimming an isolated area can sometimes unbalance the proportions: very slim hips on narrow shoulders, a flat abdomen above flanks that remain full. The surgeon reasons in terms of proportions: the relationship between waist, hips and bust, continuity of curves, and transitions between areas. This overall approach explains why they sometimes propose treating a neighbouring area, or conversely leaving a little volume to preserve harmony.

The ratio between waist and hip measurements is often used to describe a silhouette. In women, a waist clearly narrower than the hips gives an hourglass shape; in men, a waist close to the hips and broader shoulders give a V shape. These ratios are not norms, but reference points for understanding the effect of a procedure.

Successful liposuction is recognisable by the absence of any visible boundary between treated and untreated areas. The surgeon gradually reduces suction towards the edges and sometimes treats neighbouring areas to avoid a step. This detail makes a big difference to the final result, notably between the hips and thighs, or between the abdomen and flanks.

Skin quality is often what determines the choice between liposuction and a procedure that removes skin. Young, thick, elastic skin retracts well over a reduced volume; liposuction alone is then enough. Thin skin, stretched by pregnancies or weight loss and marked by stretch marks, does not retract: removing the fat would leave empty, creased skin. In that case, the excess skin must be removed, by an abdominoplasty or a lift. The surgeon assesses this elasticity by pinching the skin and watching how it returns to place.

Stretch marks are internal scars in the skin, appearing during rapid stretching: pregnancy, weight gain, growth. They signal skin that will retract less well. Surgery only makes them disappear when they are on the skin removed, for example below the navel during an abdominoplasty. The others remain, sometimes slightly softened or, on the contrary, more visible if the skin is pulled taut.

Cellulite, the dimpled appearance of the skin on the thighs and buttocks, is due to the structure of the superficial fat and the fibrous bands connecting it to the skin. Liposuction, which acts more deeply, does not treat it, and can even make it more visible if the skin is thin. Some specific treatments can soften it, but no procedure removes it completely. It is important to know this in order to set realistic expectations.

Body contouring surgery is not a treatment for excess weight. It gives its best results in people close to their healthy weight, whose weight has been stable for several months. With significant excess weight, the risks increase and the results are less good; prior weight loss, sometimes with medical support or bariatric surgery, is then the first step. Our guide to bariatric surgery presents these approaches.

Pregnancies transform the body lastingly: stretched abdominal skin, stretch marks, separated muscles, breasts that empty or sag, sometimes persistent weight gain. Many women regain a satisfying silhouette over time with exercise and a balanced diet. When this is not the case, surgery can help, ideally once your family is complete and at least six months to a year after breastfeeding.

At menopause, the fall in hormones changes the distribution of fat, which shifts towards the abdomen, and the skin loses elasticity. Liposuction then gives less clear-cut results if the skin does not retract, and procedures that remove skin play a greater role. Some abdominal fat may also be inside the abdomen, beyond the reach of surgery.

Very athletic people often have little fat, but some areas resist, such as the flanks, lower abdomen or inner thighs. They are often good candidates for targeted liposuction, or even high-definition liposuction that highlights their muscles. Their firm skin retracts well. The return to sport after the procedure must, however, be gradual.

Men mainly consult for the abdomen, flanks, chest and sometimes the neck. Their abdominal fat is more often inside the abdomen, which limits the value of liposuction in some cases. The surgeon checks this at the examination. Our page on the male makeover presents common combinations for men.

There is no strict age limit for body surgery. What matters is health, skin quality and expectations. After sixty, the skin is often less elastic, which points towards procedures that remove skin rather than liposuction alone. The medical assessment is more thorough, and very long procedures are often avoided. Many people over sixty nevertheless benefit from an abdominoplasty or arm lift with great satisfaction.

In young adults, the skin is very elastic and retracts well after liposuction, which often gives excellent results. It is important, however, to make sure that the silhouette has settled, that weight is stable and that the request is personal and considered. A silhouette that is still changing may alter in the following years.

For people undergoing gender transition, body surgery can contribute to a silhouette more in keeping with their identity: feminisation through fat transfer and waist liposuction, or masculinisation through hip liposuction and chest sculpting. These procedures are part of an overall care pathway, often involving other health professionals.

Liposuction removes localised fat using fine cannulas inserted through small incisions a few millimetres long. It is aimed at deposits that resist diet and exercise: abdomen, flanks, hips, saddlebags, inner thighs and knees, arms, back, neck. It gives its best results when the skin is elastic and weight is stable. It does not make you lose weight overall, but reshapes the contours. Our page on liposuction in Switzerland details the technique, its indications and recovery.

After liposuction, the skin must retract over a reduced volume. The younger and more elastic it is, the better the result. Thin, stretched skin or skin marked by stretch marks risks forming folds or looking empty. That is why the surgeon adapts the amount suctioned to skin quality, and sometimes proposes a skin-tightening technology or a procedure that removes skin.

In women, liposuction often aims for harmonious curves: a defined waist, softened hips, slimmer thighs. In men, it seeks a straighter, more athletic silhouette: flanks erased, a flat abdomen, a defined chest. The areas and intensity of suction therefore differ. The surgeon adapts the technique to each person's goals.

It is common to treat several areas in the same liposuction. The number of areas depends on the total volume to be removed, health and the length of the procedure. Beyond a certain volume, it is safer to spread the areas over two sessions. The surgeon explains the limit set in your case.

The fat suctioned during liposuction can be reinjected elsewhere: into the buttocks, hips, breasts or face. This transfer allows volume to be moved, slimming one area and shaping another. The fat must be harvested and prepared gently, and some of it is resorbed after injection.

Most modern liposuction begins with the injection, into the area to be treated, of a solution containing a local anaesthetic and a product that constricts the blood vessels. This so-called tumescent infiltration reduces bleeding, makes suction easier and prolongs comfort after the procedure. It also allows some limited liposuction to be performed under local anaesthesia.

The amount of fat that can be removed in one session is limited for safety reasons: beyond a certain volume, fluid losses and the risk of complications increase. The surgeon sets this limit according to weight, health and the number of areas. When the plan is very extensive, it is safer to spread it over two sessions. Liposuction is never a way to lose a lot of weight.

Several technologies can assist liposuction. Ultrasound emulsifies the fat before suction, making it easier to work on fibrous areas; our page on VASER liposuction presents it. Laser heats the fat and skin: see the page on SmartLipo. Vibrating cannulas reduce effort and trauma: see VibroFit liposuction. Radiofrequency or plasma applied under the skin encourage it to retract: see BodyTite and J-Plasma liposuction. These technologies do not replace the surgeon's skill; they are tools for it.

Liposuction technologies are often highlighted in clinics' marketing. They are genuinely useful in certain situations: fibrous areas, high definition, slightly slack skin. But none turns an unsuitable indication into a good result, and none replaces the surgeon's experience. Well-performed conventional liposuction often gives an excellent result. Before choosing a technology, ask the surgeon what it concretely brings in your case, and whether the extra cost is justified.

For mild skin laxity, skin-tightening technologies applied under the skin, such as radiofrequency or plasma, can avoid a procedure that leaves a long scar. They suit people whose skin is still fairly elastic, for example on the arms, abdomen or neck. When laxity is significant, they are not enough, and only removing the skin gives a satisfactory result.

Limited liposuction of one or two small areas can be performed under local anaesthesia, sometimes with light sedation. It allows a quick recovery and a return home the same day. It does not suit extensive liposuction, which requires general anaesthesia for comfort and safety.

For small fat deposits, certain non-surgical techniques exist: cryolipolysis, which cools the fat; external radiofrequency; focused ultrasound; and injections that dissolve fat. They often require several sessions, with more modest and more variable results than liposuction. They do not treat slack skin. They may suit people who refuse surgery and whose request is limited.

High-definition liposuction does not just reduce volume: it sculpts muscle definition, slightly deepening the natural grooves of the abdomen, flanks or pectorals. It is for slim, athletic people with firm skin who want a more athletic look. It exists in several degrees of definition, described on our pages 4 HD liposuction and Full HD liposuction. For abdominal definition in particular, see the page on abdominal etching.

High-definition liposuction exists in several intensities. Light definition refines the contours and suggests the muscle relief. More marked definition deepens the grooves between the muscles for a very athletic look. The choice depends on build, sex, lifestyle and expectations. A highly defined result on someone who does not exercise can look artificial, and requires a very stable weight to remain harmonious.

Rather than treating an isolated area, circumferential liposuction treats the trunk all the way round: abdomen, flanks, waist and back. It gives a more harmonious silhouette from every angle. Our page on 360 liposuction presents it, and the one on 360 liposuction with ultrasound-guided BBL describes its combination with fat transfer to the buttocks.

The flanks, or love handles, are one of the areas most resistant to exercise and diet, in men and women alike. They do, however, respond very well to liposuction, especially when treated together with the lower back and waist in a circumferential approach. The result is often one of the most appreciated, as it changes the silhouette from the front and back, and makes clothes easier to wear.

The pages on abdominal liposuction, saddlebags and arm liposuction with skin tightening describe these areas in detail.

Each area has its own features. The abdomen requires careful assessment of the skin and muscles. The flanks and waist respond well to liposuction, especially in a circumferential approach. Saddlebags, often hereditary, are one of the most satisfying areas to treat. The inner thighs and arms have thinner skin, which slackens more easily. The knees respond well to small amounts of suction. The back, with its rolls at bra-strap level, has more fibrous fat. The calves and ankles are more delicate, with more limited results and prolonged swelling.

The arms concern many women, especially with age or after weight loss. There are two situations. When the volume comes mainly from fat and the skin remains fairly firm, liposuction, possibly combined with a skin-tightening technology, slims the arm without a long scar. When the skin hangs, forming a fold under the arm when it is raised, only an arm lift, which removes the excess skin, gives a satisfactory result, at the cost of a scar on the inner arm. The surgeon assesses the skin by raising the arm and pinching the fold.

The thighs have several distinct areas. Saddlebags, on the outer side, respond very well to liposuction. The inner thighs, with their thin skin, require careful liposuction or, if the skin is slack, a lift. The front of the thighs and the area above the knees can also be slimmed. As the thighs are very visible, an even result is particularly important.

Back rolls, at bra-strap level and above the buttocks, are a common request. The fat there is often more fibrous, which makes emulsification technologies useful. Back liposuction is part of the circumferential approach to the trunk. After significant weight loss, excess skin on the back may require a lift.

In men, an overdeveloped chest, or gynaecomastia, may be due to excess fat, gland or both. Liposuction, sometimes combined with gland removal, corrects the chest. This procedure belongs to male breast surgery; our guide to breast surgery presents it.

The calves and ankles are delicate areas. There is often little fat, and their shape depends mainly on muscle and bone. Liposuction gives more limited results there, with swelling that lasts several months. It can be useful in certain situations, notably lipoedema, but requires careful assessment.

Lipoedema is a condition that affects almost exclusively women: an abnormal, often painful accumulation of fat on the legs and sometimes the arms, which does not respond to dieting. It is not simply a cosmetic excess. Specialised liposuction, performed with gentle techniques, can reduce volume and pain, alongside compression and other treatments. Under certain conditions, coverage may be considered. Our page on lipoedema treatment and our guide to lipoedema explore the subject in depth.

Lipoedema affects almost exclusively women, often appears at puberty, after a pregnancy or at menopause, and causes a symmetrical accumulation of fat, often painful to the touch, on the legs and sometimes the arms, sparing the feet and hands. Bruises appear easily. Dieting makes almost no difference. Diagnosis relies on examination by a doctor familiar with the condition. Treatment combines compression, suitable physical activity, pain management and, in bothersome forms, specialised liposuction performed with techniques that preserve the lymphatic vessels.

When excess weight is significant, cosmetic body surgery is not the answer. Treatment of obesity, medical or surgical, is needed first. Once weight has stabilised, body contouring surgery can then treat the excess skin. Our guide to bariatric surgery presents the options.

Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen, tightens the remaining skin and, very often, repairs rectus abdominis muscles separated after pregnancies. The navel is repositioned. It leaves a low horizontal scar hidden under underwear. It is for people whose abdomen has slack skin, stretch marks below the navel or a bulge caused by separated muscles. Our page on abdominoplasty in Switzerland describes it in detail.

During pregnancy, the two rectus abdominis muscles, on either side of the midline of the abdomen, separate to make room for the uterus. In some women, this separation persists after childbirth: the abdomen stays rounded, especially at the end of the day, despite exercise. Rehabilitation can improve moderate separation. When it is significant, only surgical repair, generally performed during an abdominoplasty, corrects it.

The pages on circumferential abdominoplasty and on liposuction combined with abdominoplasty describe these variants.

The abdominoplasty scar is long, but placed low, in the area covered by underwear or swimwear. It is red and sometimes thick at first, then fades over one to two years. Its quality depends on the technique, tension, the skin and aftercare. Our page on the abdominoplasty scar explains how it evolves and how to improve it.

The question comes up again and again. The answer depends mainly on the skin and muscles. If the skin is firm and the abdomen is rounded by fat, liposuction is enough. If the skin is slack, creased or marked by stretch marks, or if the muscles are separated, an abdominoplasty is needed. In between, liposuction combined with a skin-tightening technology may suit mild laxity. The surgeon decides after examination.

In a full abdominoplasty, the navel stays attached at its base, but the surrounding skin is removed, then the skin of the upper abdomen is pulled down. The surgeon then creates an opening to bring the navel out in its place. Its shape and scar are important details of the result. After a mini-abdominoplasty, the navel is generally not moved.

A hernia of the navel or midline, common after pregnancies, can be repaired during an abdominoplasty. This part, if medically justified, may sometimes be covered by insurance. It must be mentioned at the consultation.

A caesarean scar is often incorporated into the abdominoplasty scar, which replaces it. The bulge that sometimes overhangs a caesarean scar is corrected. The surgeon takes this scar into account in planning.

Men less often need an abdominoplasty, except after major weight loss. Their bulging abdomen is often due to fat inside the abdomen, which abdominoplasty does not treat. When there is excess skin, the procedure is performed in the same way, with a suitable scar.

Abdominoplasty is one of the most demanding body contouring procedures in terms of recovery. In the first few days, you walk slightly bent forward so as not to pull on the scar. The muscle repair makes trunk movements painful. Drains are often left in place for a few days. The binder is worn for several weeks. Return to office work is generally after two to three weeks, and to sport after six to eight weeks.

After one or more pregnancies, the abdomen often combines several problems: stretched skin, stretch marks, separated muscles and localised fat. It is advisable to wait at least six months to a year after breastfeeding ends, and preferably until your family is complete, before an abdominoplasty, as a new pregnancy could undo the result. Combined programmes after pregnancy, described below, often combine the abdomen and breasts.

After a pregnancy, rehabilitation of the pelvic floor and then the deep abdominal muscles is recommended. It can reduce moderate muscle separation and improve abdominal tone, sometimes to the point of making surgery unnecessary. If the separation remains significant after well-conducted rehabilitation, an abdominoplasty with muscle repair can be discussed.

After pregnancies, the breasts and abdomen are often changed at the same time. Combined programmes allow both to be treated in a single procedure, within reasonable limits. Our guide to breast surgery presents the options for the breasts.

After an abdominoplasty or a combined programme, it is impossible to carry a young child for several weeks. Help must be arranged for getting up, bath times, school runs and meals. Explaining to older children why mum needs to rest helps them understand. Scheduling the procedure for a period when your partner or someone close is available makes recovery much easier.

If you plan to lose weight, it is better to do so before the procedure and reach a stable weight. Weight loss after an abdominoplasty can slacken the skin again; after liposuction, it can reduce the harmony achieved. The surgeon may advise you to wait a few months if your weight is still changing.

When the skin of the arms, thighs or lower body is too slack to retract, it must be removed and the tissues tightened. These lifts leave scars of varying length, placed in discreet areas as far as possible. They are particularly common after significant weight loss, but also address laxity linked to age.

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes slack skin from the inner arms, often called "bingo wings". The scar lies on the inner arm, sometimes extending to the armpit or elbow depending on the extent. When the skin is still fairly firm and the problem is mainly fat, liposuction with a skin-tightening technology may be enough. Our page on the arm lift describes this procedure.

A thigh lift removes slack skin from the inner thighs. Depending on the extent of laxity, the scar lies in the groin crease or runs vertically down the thigh. Recovery requires patience, because the area is used when walking and sitting. Our page on the thigh lift presents it.

After significant weight loss, notably after bariatric surgery, stretched skin does not retract: a hanging abdomen, slack arms and thighs, emptied breasts, sagging buttocks. Body contouring after weight loss is often performed in several stages, starting with the most bothersome area, often the abdomen. Weight must have been stable for at least six months to a year. In certain situations, when excess skin causes medical problems, partial coverage may be considered.

After major weight loss, the procedures needed can be numerous. Grouping them all into one session would be too long and too risky. Surgeons generally spread them over two to four procedures, a few months apart. This approach allows safer recovery and a more refined result for each area.

After major weight loss, excess skin affects not only the abdomen but also the flanks, back, buttocks and upper thighs. A lower body lift, or extended circumferential abdominoplasty, removes this excess all the way round the trunk, with a scar that encircles the waist, and lifts the buttocks and thighs. It is a long procedure, performed by experienced surgeons, with a recovery of several weeks.

Sagging buttocks, after weight loss or with age, can be lifted, often as part of a lower body lift. The fat in the area can sometimes be kept and repositioned to give the buttocks volume rather than being removed.

After bariatric surgery, partial coverage of skin-removal procedures may be considered when excess skin causes medical problems, such as recurrent irritation or infections in the folds, or significant functional discomfort. A documented request, with photos and a medical report, is sent to the insurer before the procedure. The decision is made case by case.

The buttocks contribute a great deal to the balance of the silhouette, in profile and from behind. Volume and curve can be added by fat transfer, often called buttock fat grafting or BBL, or by implants. The choice depends on the amount of fat available, the volume desired and the shape of the buttocks. Our page on buttock augmentation compares the options, and the one on buttock fat transfer details fat transfer.

Buttocks vary greatly from one person to another: round, square, heart-shaped or V-shaped. The shape depends on the pelvis, the musculature and fat distribution. Successful augmentation respects this shape and harmonises it with the waist and hips. The surgeon analyses the buttocks from behind, in profile and at three-quarters to choose where to add volume.

After buttock fat transfer, it is recommended to avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for several weeks, so as not to compress the grafted fat. A special cushion that relieves the buttocks is used, you sleep on your front or side, and you adapt your journeys. This is a significant constraint to plan for, notably for work.

Some of the injected fat is resorbed in the following months. The final volume is judged at around six months. Some people want a second session to complete the volume. The surgeon discusses this with you.

Buttock fat transfer has been the subject of safety alerts, because injecting too deeply, into the muscle, can exceptionally cause fat to migrate into major vessels, with serious consequences. Current recommendations require fat to be injected only under the skin, above the muscle. Some teams use ultrasound during injection to check the depth. This is an essential point to discuss with the surgeon.

In some women, a dip on the side of the hips, below the waist, breaks the curve of the silhouette. It can be filled by fat transfer or, more rarely, by specific implants. Our page on cosmetic hip implants presents this option.

The dip on the side of the hips, below the waist, is linked to the shape of the pelvis. It breaks the curve of the silhouette from the front. Fat transfer can fill it, often combined with waist liposuction. Specific implants exist but are less common.

A more defined waist is often sought. Liposuction of the flanks and lower back is the main way to slim it. In some people whose lower ribs flare outwards, a recent rib remodelling technique can complement it, with a more restrictive recovery and still limited long-term data.

For people who want a more feminine silhouette, several procedures can be combined: waist liposuction, fat transfer to the hips and buttocks, and sometimes rib remodelling. Our page on body feminisation describes these approaches, and the one on RibXcar rib remodelling presents a recent technique for slimming the waist.

Body feminisation procedures often combine liposuction of the waist and abdomen, fat transfer to the hips and buttocks, and sometimes a breast procedure. They are requested by women wishing to accentuate their curves, or as part of a transition pathway. They are adapted to each build.

Rather than treating an isolated area, some people want to reshape several areas in a single procedure. These combined programmes reduce the number of anaesthetics and recoveries, but lengthen the procedure and increase certain risks. They must remain reasonable in duration and extent.

A mommy makeover generally combines a breast procedure, such as a lift or augmentation, with an abdominal procedure, such as an abdominoplasty, sometimes supplemented by liposuction. It is for women who have completed their families and want to regain their silhouette. Our page on the mommy makeover presents it in detail.

A male makeover combines procedures adapted to the male silhouette: liposuction of the abdomen and flanks, gynaecomastia correction, and sometimes high-definition liposuction. Our page on the male makeover describes these combinations.

The longer a procedure, the more the risks of thrombosis, bleeding and complications increase. Most surgeons limit the duration of a combined procedure, often to around five to six hours, and prefer to spread an ambitious programme over two stages. Health, age and weight also come into play. A surgeon who proposes doing everything in a single very long session should explain why it is reasonable in your case.

Some people want to combine body surgery with a facial or breast procedure. This is sometimes possible during the same operation, within reasonable time limits, but it is often preferable to separate the procedures to limit risk and make recovery easier. The surgeon helps set priorities. Our guides to breast surgery and facial surgery present the other families of procedures.

Before body surgery, it is useful to think about your plans: a pregnancy, weight loss, a change of lifestyle. They can influence the timing of the procedure and the choice of technique. An abdominoplasty before a pregnancy, for example, risks being partly undone. Discussing this with the surgeon helps choose the right time and approach.

The choice rests on an analysis in four questions: where is the fat, and how much is there? Is the skin elastic or slack? Are the muscles in good condition? What result do you want? The answers point towards liposuction, a procedure that removes skin, adding volume, or a combination. The surgeon helps you answer them at the consultation.

Having surgery at an unstable weight risks disappointing results: later weight loss can slacken the skin, and weight gain can thicken untreated areas. It is advisable to have had a stable weight for several months, close to your healthy weight, and to plan to maintain it after the procedure.

Despite their differences, body contouring procedures share a common pathway: one or two consultations, a pre-operative assessment, a few weeks of preparation, a procedure most often under general anaesthesia, a stay of one night to a few days, wearing a compression garment, a gradual return to activities and a result that emerges over several months. Knowing these stages helps you prepare your plans, whichever procedure you choose.

Before body surgery, prepare your home for a few days to a few weeks of recovery: loose clothes that are easy to put on over the compression garment, simple meals prepared in advance, everyday items stored within reach so you do not have to bend, protection for the bed in case of discharge, and pillows to make yourself comfortable. After an abdominoplasty, a chair or bed that lets you keep your upper body slightly bent is appreciated. After buttock fat transfer, plan a suitable cushion.

• Two compression garments.
• The prescribed medicines, including blood-clot prevention if needed.
• Loose clothes.
• Bed protection.
• Simple meals and water within reach.
• A special cushion if the buttocks were treated.
• The team's number and the date of the first check-up.

Limited liposuction can be performed under local anaesthesia, sometimes with sedation. Extensive liposuction, abdominoplasties, lifts and combined programmes are performed under general anaesthesia. The anaesthetist assesses health, treatments and risks, and adapts prevention of thrombosis and nausea.

On the day of the procedure, you arrive having fasted, as instructed by the anaesthetist. The surgeon makes the markings with you standing, drawing the areas to be treated, the incisions and the symmetry landmarks. You put on compression stockings. In theatre, anaesthesia is given, the skin is disinfected and the procedure is performed. At the end, the incisions are closed, drains are sometimes placed, and the compression garment is put on before you wake. You are then monitored in the recovery room, then in your room.

Marking is done standing, because fat and skin are distributed differently when lying down. The surgeon draws the areas to be suctioned, the areas to be preserved, the transitions, the incisions and the axes of symmetry. For an abdominoplasty, they draw the future scar taking your usual underwear into account. This drawing guides the whole procedure.

After an abdominoplasty, a lift or sometimes extensive liposuction, small tubes called drains are placed under the skin to remove blood and fluid for a few days. They are removed when drainage decreases. Some surgeons use quilting techniques that make them unnecessary.

After liposuction, an abdominoplasty or a lift, a compression garment is worn day and night for several weeks. It limits swelling, helps the skin readhere to the deep tissues and supports the operated areas. It must fit well, without creases that would mark the skin. Two garments allow one to be washed. The exact duration depends on the procedure and the surgeon's practice.

Body procedures, especially long or extensive ones, carry a risk of clots forming in the leg veins, which can travel to the lungs. Prevention combines getting up early, walking several times a day, good hydration, compression stockings and, depending on the level of risk, anticoagulant injections. The pill and certain hormone treatments increase this risk and must be discussed. A painful calf or breathlessness require calling the emergency services.

Walking, from the day of the procedure or the next day, is one of the most important parts of recovery. It activates circulation, reduces the risk of blood clots, helps clear swelling and speeds up recovery. Short walks several times a day are better than one long outing.

In the first few weeks, a few adjustments make daily life easier. After an abdominoplasty, you get up by rolling onto your side, avoid carrying loads and keep your upper body slightly bent in the first few days. After buttock fat transfer, you alternate standing and lying down and use a suitable cushion. After an arm lift, you avoid movements above the head. After liposuction, you resume most movements fairly quickly while wearing the compression garment. In all cases, walk regularly, drink enough and rest.

The return to work depends on the procedure and the job. Office work often resumes after one to three weeks, physical work after four to eight weeks. A gradual return, part-time or working from home, eases the transition. It is useful to allow some margin, as fatigue may last longer than expected.

Intimate life can resume when you feel ready and pain allows, avoiding positions that pull on the scars or compress the treated areas, notably the buttocks after fat transfer. For many patients, the new silhouette brings greater ease in intimacy.

Driving is possible when movements are no longer painful, you can brake suddenly and medicines no longer cause drowsiness. After an abdominoplasty, this often takes two weeks; after buttock fat transfer, you also need to be able to sit comfortably.

Some degree of fatigue is common after body surgery, especially after a long or combined procedure. It may last a few weeks. Accept it, rest, eat properly and resume your activities gradually.

Manual lymphatic drainage, performed by a trained therapist, can speed up the resolution of swelling and firm areas after liposuction. It is often offered from one to two weeks. It is not essential, but many patients appreciate it.

A balanced, protein-rich diet promotes healing. Good hydration helps clear swelling. It is better to limit salt, which encourages fluid retention, and alcohol, which interacts with medicines. This is not the time for a strict diet.

The position depends on the procedure: on your back after abdominal liposuction or an abdominoplasty, with your upper body and knees slightly bent; on your front or side after buttock fat transfer; arms raised after an arm lift. The surgeon specifies the instructions.

In the first few weeks, swelling, bruising, firm areas and the compression garment can give the impression that the result is not as hoped. This phase is normal. The result emerges gradually. Regular photographs help follow progress. If your mood stays low, talking to those close to you or your doctor helps.

After an abdominoplasty or a combined programme, avoid carrying young children for several weeks. After limited liposuction, a few days of caution are often enough. Arranging help is essential.

For self-employed people, time off for cosmetic surgery is generally not compensated. Schedule the procedure during a quiet period, taking into account the recovery time specific to each procedure.

Long journeys sitting down are not advised in the first few weeks, because of the risk of blood clots and swelling. If travel is necessary, take breaks to walk, drink enough and wear compression stockings. Ask the surgeon's advice before any long trip.

Autumn and winter are often preferred: the compression garment is more bearable in cool weather, the scars are protected from the sun, and the result has time to emerge before summer.

Day 1: significant aching, tight compression garment, some pinkish discharge from the small incisions. Walking around the flat every hour. Day 3: bruises appear on the abdomen and flanks, stiffness peaks, but pain decreases. First shower, briefly removing the garment. Day 7: first check-up, pain is low, the bruises are turning yellow. Return to office work. Week 3: the silhouette begins to show under the garment, but firm areas appear. Week 6: continuous wear of the garment stops, sport resumes. Month 3: the firm areas have gone, the waist is clearly slimmer. Month 6: the result has stabilised.

Day 1: getting up with help, slightly bent forward so as not to pull on the scar. The drains collect fluid. Pain is mainly linked to the muscle repair. Day 3: some drains removed, walking becomes easier, still slightly bent. Day 7: first check-up, the scar is clean, you gradually straighten up. Week 2: walking almost upright, fatigue decreasing. Week 3: return to office work. Week 6: continuous wear of the binder stops, gradual return to sport. Month 3: the abdomen is flat, the scar still pink. Month 12: the scar has faded, the result is final.

Day 1: arms bandaged, raised on pillows. Moderate pain. Day 3: avoid raising the arms above the shoulders. The bruises move down towards the elbows. Day 10: stitches removed or scar checked. Week 3: most everyday movements resumed. Week 6: return to sport involving the arms. Month 6: the scar begins to fade, the arms are clearly slimmer.

Day 1: the liposuction areas ache, the buttocks are swollen. Sleeping on the front or side. Day 3: walking regularly, avoiding sitting directly on the buttocks, using a suitable cushion. Day 7: first check-up, the bruises are fading. Week 2: return to work that allows standing or alternating positions. Week 6: normal sitting allowed again as instructed, sport resumes. Month 3: some of the fat has been resorbed, the shape is becoming clearer. Month 6: the volume has stabilised.

Day 1: bandages and compression garment, walking with small steps. Day 3: avoid spreading the legs and sitting for long, so as not to pull on the groin scar. Day 10: scar check. Week 3: return to office work, alternating positions. Week 6: continuous wear of the garment stops, gradual return to sport. Month 6: the scar begins to fade, the thighs are clearly slimmer.

Day 1: more marked fatigue, pain in several areas, drains. One or two nights at the clinic. Day 4: home, help essential. Day 10: first check-up, last drains removed. Week 3: fatigue decreasing, light activities resumed. Week 4: return to office work. Week 8: gradual return to sport. Month 6: the silhouette is transformed, the scars are beginning to fade.

After body surgery, it is common to feel aching, a cardboard-like feeling in the skin, numb areas, tingling as sensation returns, and firm areas under the skin. These sensations are linked to internal healing and gradually decrease over a few weeks to a few months. Pain that suddenly increases, spreading redness or fever require medical attention.

A few weeks after liposuction, it is common to feel firm areas or nodules under the skin. They correspond to healing and soften within two to three months. Lymphatic drainage, gentle massage and wearing the compression garment help them resolve.

The skin of the treated areas may remain numb for several weeks or even a few months, particularly after an abdominoplasty, where the area below the navel is often numb for some time. Be careful with heat, such as a hot-water bottle, on these areas. Sensation returns gradually, sometimes incompletely after an abdominoplasty.

In the event of fever, increasing pain, spreading redness, sudden swelling, breathlessness or a painful calf, contact the team or the emergency services immediately. For routine questions, note them down and ask them at the check-ups.

At around one week, the surgeon checks the scars, removes any drains, checks for seroma or haematoma and the fit of the compression garment. They answer your questions and specify the instructions for what follows.

After body surgery, swelling masks the result for several weeks. The treated areas may feel hard or lumpy, then soften. The result takes shape within two to three months and stabilises between six months and a year, as the skin retracts and the scars mature. It is important not to judge too early.

The result of body surgery depends largely on weight stability. A balanced diet and regular physical activity help preserve it. Significant weight gain thickens untreated areas and can alter the harmony achieved; significant weight loss can slacken the skin. The scars must be protected from the sun for at least a year.

Once recovery is over, sport is an ally of the result. It maintains the musculature, helps stabilise weight and improves skin tone. After high-definition liposuction, it is particularly important for keeping sharp definition. After an abdominoplasty with muscle repair, abdominal exercises are resumed gradually, as instructed.

The body continues to age after the procedure: the skin loses elasticity and fat redistributes. The result of body contouring nevertheless remains visible in the long term, as the fat suctioned does not come back and the skin removed does not grow back. A touch-up can be considered years later if necessary.

The most satisfied patients are those who had realistic expectations, a stable weight and a well-chosen indication. They appreciate a more harmonious silhouette, clothes that fit better, greater comfort and sometimes the disappearance of a physical discomfort. Disappointments more often stem from excessive expectations, an unsuitable procedure or judging too early.

Many patients describe a change in the way they dress: more fitted clothes, swimwear, tailored dresses. It is advisable to wait for the result to stabilise, at around six months, before renewing your wardrobe, as the silhouette continues to change in the first few months.

Many describe the compression garment as the main constraint, more than the pain. The swelling and firm areas of the first few weeks are surprising. After an abdominoplasty, the first few days are harder than expected, but satisfaction is often very high. After liposuction, the result emerges gradually, with satisfaction increasing over the months.

Photographs taken regularly under the same conditions, from the front, in profile and from behind, make it possible to follow progress much better than the mirror. Comparing them with those taken before the procedure, at three, six and twelve months, shows objectively how far you have come.

At one year, the silhouette has stabilised, the scars have faded and the skin has retracted. The surgeon compares the photographs and discusses a touch-up if necessary. It is also the time to review satisfaction.

A good result in body surgery is recognisable by a more harmonious silhouette without an artificial look: even contours, smooth transitions between areas, well-placed scars that become discreet over time, and respected proportions. The body should look naturally slimmer or more shapely, not transformed. The most satisfied patients are those who recognise themselves, only better.

A stable weight, regular physical activity, a balanced diet, not smoking and protecting the scars from the sun are the best ways to preserve the result. A pregnancy or a large change in weight can alter it. Over the years, the body continues to change naturally, but the benefit of the procedure generally remains visible.

One year after the procedure, it is useful to take stock with the surgeon: does the result match what was announced? Are the scars satisfactory? Is a touch-up desirable? This review closes the journey and allows any future plans to be considered calmly.

If, after six months to a year, an area shows an irregularity or an insufficient result, a touch-up can be considered. It is generally simpler than the initial procedure. It is important to discuss it calmly with the surgeon, comparing the photos objectively, rather than deciding out of disappointment during the swelling phase. Many defects perceived in the first few weeks disappear on their own as the swelling resolves and the tissues soften. A touch-up decided too early might correct a defect that no longer exists a few months later, or on the contrary create a new one. Patience, once again, is the best ally of a successful result, and a good surgeon will advise you on the right time to judge. In the vast majority of cases, the result obtained at the end of the first year needs no touch-up at all, and patients fully enjoy their new silhouette, in their clothes as in their activities, no longer thinking about the areas that used to bother them. It is often this feeling of regained freedom, even more than the visible change, that they describe as the main benefit of their decision, and which confirms their choice years later, when they look back at the photographs taken before the procedure and see how far they have come. Keeping these images, together with those taken at three, six and twelve months, is a valuable reference for both patient and surgeon, particularly if a new plan, a touch-up or another body contouring procedure is considered years later, in a calm, considered and well-informed frame of mind, with the same surgeon.

A body surgery plan has several key moments: the decision to consult, often long considered; the consultation, where you discover what is possible; preparation, with stopping smoking and practical organisation; the day of the procedure; the first few days of recovery, sometimes difficult; the return to activities; then the gradual discovery of the result, between the third and sixth month. Having these stages in mind helps you go through them calmly.

For many patients, the first outing in swimwear after the procedure is a symbolic moment. It is advisable to wait until the scars have fully closed and to protect them from the sun, with sunscreen or swimwear that covers them. Many then discover a new comfort, free of the embarrassment they used to feel.

Beyond appearance, many patients describe renewed confidence and greater ease in their clothes, social life and intimacy. This benefit, hard to measure, is often the one they mention first. It is more common when the request was personal and expectations were realistic.

After follow-up has ended, it remains useful to be able to see your surgeon again for a question, a scar, a touch-up or a new plan. A surgeon who remains available after the procedure inspires confidence.

For many people, an area of the body that resists every effort becomes a source of daily discomfort: choice of clothes, the beach, intimacy. A successful procedure can improve self-confidence, provided the request is personal and expectations are realistic. It does not, however, resolve deeper difficulties linked to self-image.

Social media showcases highly sculpted silhouettes, often edited or achieved through several procedures. They can create unrealistic expectations and trivialise procedures that carry real risks. It is useful to keep a critical eye, get information from reliable sources and discuss your expectations with a qualified surgeon.

When preoccupation with a part of the body becomes overwhelming, takes up much of your thoughts, leads to checking or avoidance behaviours, and persists despite procedures, it may be body dysmorphic disorder. In this case, surgery rarely brings the hoped-for relief. Psychological support is often more helpful. An attentive surgeon spots these signs and raises them with kindness.

Body surgery can improve quality of life, but it does not resolve deep psychological distress. In the event of eating disorders, depression or excessive preoccupation with appearance, appropriate support takes priority. The surgeon may suggest postponing the procedure and refer you to a professional.

A personal motivation, linked to a long-standing discomfort, is often associated with good satisfaction. A request driven by pressure from a partner, a recent break-up or a social media trend deserves more reflection. It is useful to ask yourself for whom and why you want the procedure.

Body surgery improves a silhouette, but does not turn it into someone else's. It leaves scars, requires recovery and depends on the quality of the tissues. The most satisfied patients are those who sought a clear, measured improvement and understood the limits of the procedure.

Studies of body contouring surgery report high satisfaction when the indication is well chosen, notably after an abdominoplasty or surgery after weight loss, where the improvement in quality of life is often marked. They also show the importance of weight stability and patient selection for a good long-term result.

Once the scars have closed, gentle massage, silicone gels or dressings and strict sun protection for a year help them mature. A scar that becomes thick, red or itchy should be reported; treatments exist.

During liposuction or fat transfer, small droplets of fat can, very rarely, enter the bloodstream and reach the lungs. This is an exceptional but serious complication, which justifies respecting maximum volumes, safe injection techniques and attentive monitoring after the procedure. Breathlessness or confusion require emergency care.

After an abdominoplasty or extensive liposuction, fluid can collect under the skin. This seroma shows as a soft swelling, sometimes with a sensation of moving fluid. It is treated with one or more aspirations. Regular wear of the compression garment and drains reduce its frequency.

After liposuction, small irregularities, hollows or bumps may appear, especially if the skin is thin. Many fade with time and drainage. Those that persist after six months can be corrected with minor additional liposuction or fat transfer.

Smoking reduces circulation in the skin and markedly increases the risk of complications, particularly after an abdominoplasty or a lift, where large areas of skin are lifted. Stopping completely, several weeks before and after the procedure, is strongly recommended, and some surgeons refuse to operate on active smokers for these procedures.

A few safety rules apply to all body contouring procedures. The amount of fat removed in one session is limited. The duration of combined procedures is kept reasonable, often to five or six hours. Fat transferred to the buttocks is injected only under the skin. Blood-clot prevention is systematic and adapted to each person's risk. Smoking is stopped several weeks before and after. The procedure takes place in a facility equipped to monitor patients and manage a complication. These rules, applied by reputable surgeons, markedly reduce the risks.

• Breathlessness, chest pain, unusual cough.
• A painful, swollen or warm calf.
• Fever, spreading redness, cloudy discharge from a scar.
• Sudden, painful swelling of an operated area.
• Confusion, faintness, palpitations.
• Heavy bleeding.

If you notice any of these signs, contact the team or the emergency services immediately.

After a body procedure, monitoring in the recovery room and then in your room covers blood pressure, breathing, pain, bleeding and drains. For major procedures, one or more nights on site allow a complication to be detected quickly. At home, the patient and those around them must know the warning signs and how to reach the team.

Procedures under general anaesthesia, extensive liposuction, abdominoplasties and lifts must be performed in a facility with an operating theatre, an anaesthesia team, post-operative monitoring and the ability to admit or quickly transfer a patient in the event of a complication.

To compare the main procedures without amounts, we express them relative to a base of 100 corresponding to liposuction of two areas performed in Geneva.

Details of the differences by procedure and canton are on the page on cosmetic body surgery prices.

The number of areas, the length of the procedure, the technology used, the type of anaesthesia, the length of stay, compression garments, check-ups and the facility explain most of the differences. The surgeon's experience and the clinic's reputation also count. Comparing two quotes only makes sense for equivalent services.

Beyond money, body surgery takes time: consultations, tests, preparation, the procedure, one to six weeks of recovery and check-ups over a year. For a multi-stage programme, as after major weight loss, the journey can extend over one to two years. It is useful to anticipate this in order to choose suitable periods in your professional and family life, and to approach each stage without rushing.

The budget for body surgery includes the surgeon's and anaesthetist's fees, clinic and stay costs, compression garments, medicines, sometimes drainage sessions and, for self-employed people, loss of income during recovery. For a multi-stage programme, each procedure has its own cost. An overall view helps you plan calmly.

Price differences between cantons can reach about fourteen per cent, which can mean a significant saving for a major procedure. Choosing a qualified surgeon in a neighbouring canton is a reasonable option. However, you should never sacrifice the surgeon's qualifications, the safety of the facility or post-operative follow-up to reduce the bill.

A very low quote may hide missing services: compression garments not included, check-ups billed separately, a shortened stay, no cover for a touch-up. Read each line carefully and ask for clarification of anything not mentioned.

Cosmetic body surgery is not covered by compulsory insurance. Certain medical situations are exceptions, under conditions and after a prior request: advanced lipoedema, according to precise criteria, or significant excess skin after bariatric surgery when it causes medical problems. The decision lies with the insurer's medical adviser. It is essential to obtain a written reply before the procedure.

A complete quote specifies the procedure, the areas treated, the technique and technology, anaesthesia, length of stay, compression garments, follow-up consultations, the touch-up policy and, where applicable, the split between medical and cosmetic parts.

The quote is sometimes supplemented by additional compression garments, medicines, drainage sessions, check-ups and, for self-employed people, loss of income. A possible touch-up may also have a cost. Adding these elements together gives a realistic view of the financial commitment.

For cosmetic surgery, all costs are at the patient's expense. When part is covered, the deductible and co-payment apply to that part. Compression garments and certain services may not be covered.

Some clinics offer staggered payment. Calculate the total cost and check that the monthly payments remain affordable before committing.

To compare two quotes, check the exact procedure, the areas, the technology, anaesthesia, length of stay, compression garments, check-ups and the touch-up policy. A large price difference may reflect a difference in technique or in the services included.

Body surgery is performed in all the major Swiss cities. Technology-assisted liposuction and high-definition liposuction are more concentrated in the large centres. The table gives an overview of provision and price levels for twenty-four cities.

When coverage is requested, for example for lipoedema or excess skin after bariatric surgery, the choice of facility may affect reimbursement: check with your insurer.

In French-speaking Switzerland, the Lake Geneva arc, from Geneva to Vevey, has the largest provision, with a wide choice of technologies and surgeons experienced in major procedures such as circumferential abdominoplasty. Sion, Neuchâtel, Fribourg and Biel/Bienne offer a good local alternative. In German-speaking Switzerland, Zurich offers the widest choice, followed by Basel, Bern, Lucerne and St. Gallen. In Ticino, Lugano is the main centre.

In French-speaking Switzerland, patients have access to many plastic surgeons in Geneva and Lausanne, where provision of liposuction technologies and major procedures is widest. Sion, Neuchâtel, Fribourg and Biel/Bienne offer quality alternatives, notably for liposuction and abdominoplasty. In German-speaking Switzerland, Zurich has very diverse provision; Basel, Bern, Lucerne and St. Gallen have recognised centres. In Ticino, Lugano is the main centre. For surgery after weight loss and lipoedema, some centres have developed particular expertise; it is worth finding out.

For cosmetic surgery, the choice of facility is free. When the procedure is covered, for example for lipoedema or after bariatric surgery, the canton and the hospital list may affect reimbursement. Check with your insurer before choosing.

For major procedures, such as an abdominoplasty or a lift, plan a stay of one or more nights, an accompanied journey home and repeated check-ups in the first few weeks, notably for drains and scars. Choosing a distant surgeon remains possible, with a local doctor taking over part of the follow-up. For limited liposuction, travel is simpler.

The explanations of the procedure, risks and instructions must be fully understood. In French-speaking Switzerland, everything is in French; in the major German-speaking centres and in Ticino, many surgeons see patients in French.

Choose a surgeon specialising in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery who regularly performs the procedure you are considering. Ask how many procedures of this type they perform, which technologies they use and why, look at photographs of results more than six months on in people of similar build, and ask about their complications. Check their title in the register of medical professions. A surgeon who proposes a simpler procedure than you imagined, or advises against a procedure, shows seriousness.

Body surgery requires precise skill: correctly assessing the skin and fat, choosing the right procedure, suctioning evenly, designing a well-placed scar, managing volumes safely and anticipating complications. A surgeon who regularly performs the procedure you are considering has developed this skill. Ask how many procedures of this type they perform each year and look at results comparable to your situation.

A good result also relies on good dialogue. The surgeon should listen to your expectations, explain what they propose and why, and welcome your questions. You should feel free to express your doubts. This dialogue continues throughout recovery.

The specialist title in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery can be checked in the register of medical professions. Be wary of practitioners who do not hold this title and offer major procedures.

Promotional offers, very low prices or pressure to decide quickly should prompt caution. Body surgery is an important decision that deserves time, complete information and a qualified surgeon. Price should never be the only criterion.

The consultation begins with your expectations: what bothers you, since when, what you have already tried. The surgeon takes your medical history, your weight and how it has changed, your pregnancies, your treatments and whether you smoke. They examine you standing and lying down, pinch the fat, assess the skin, look for separation of the abdominal muscles and observe your silhouette from every angle. They take photographs. They then explain the procedure they propose, its alternatives, risks, recovery and cost.

Before the consultation, note what bothers you most, your questions, how your weight has changed, your medical and surgical history, your treatments and allergies. Photographs of silhouettes you like, in people of similar build, can help. Wear clothes that are easy to remove for the examination.

The procedure involves the surgeon, the anaesthetist, the theatre team and the ward team. After discharge, a therapist may provide drainage and the GP general follow-up. Ask who your contact is and how to reach the team at any time.

Your GP knows your health and can help you prepare for the procedure by stabilising blood pressure, diabetes or anticoagulant treatment. They can also handle part of the follow-up after the procedure. Sending them the operative report is useful.

A reputable surgeon will tell you what the procedure can and cannot do, whether a simpler option is enough, what the real risks are, how long recovery will take and when you will see the result. They will not hesitate to advise against an unsuitable procedure or to direct you towards prior weight loss.

Ask to see results more than six months on, in people of similar build, taken under the same lighting and posture conditions before and after. Be wary of edited photos or those taken at flattering angles.

• Which procedure do you recommend, and why not another?
• Will my skin retract enough?
• How much fat do you plan to remove?
• Which technology do you use, and what is its benefit in my case?
• Where will the scars be?
• How long will I wear the compression garment?
• How do you prevent blood clots?
• What is your touch-up policy?

• How much fat do you plan to remove?
• Will my skin retract well?
• Which technology will you use, and why?
• How many areas will you treat at once?
• How will you avoid irregularities?
• What happens if the result is uneven?

• Are my muscles separated, and will they be repaired?
• Where will the scar be placed, and how long will it be?
• Will my navel be repositioned?
• Should liposuction of the flanks be combined?
• How long will I wear the binder?
• When can I return to work and sport?

• Do I have enough fat to harvest for the volume I want?
• Where will you inject the fat, and at what depth?
• Do you use ultrasound to guide the injection?
• How long will I need to avoid sitting?
• How much of the fat is usually resorbed?
• In which cases do you propose implants rather than fat?

Major procedures must be performed in a facility with an operating theatre, an anaesthesia team, post-operative monitoring and the ability to admit patients. Limited liposuction under local anaesthesia can be performed in a lighter setting, provided safety is ensured. Find out how the clinic is organised in the event of a complication.

People with a chronic illness, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a clotting disorder, can often benefit from body surgery, provided the illness is well controlled. A thorough medical assessment, sometimes with the opinion of the specialist who manages the illness, is necessary. Long or extensive procedures may be advised against in some situations.

You have the right to complete, understandable information about the procedure, its risks and alternatives, to a reflection period, to a detailed quote, to access your medical file and to free choice of surgeon. You can ask for a second opinion at any time. Written consent is only valid if you have received this information.

• Pre-operative assessment done.
• Smoking stopped for at least four weeks.
• Blood-thinning medicines suspended as instructed.
• Compression garments bought.
• Home prepared, help arranged.
• Accompanied transport planned.
• Consent signed, questions asked.

A second opinion is useful for major procedures, combined programmes, and when you are hesitating between several options, such as liposuction or abdominoplasty. It allows you to compare approaches and feel more confident in your choice.

• What type of anaesthesia is planned?
• How will pain be relieved?
• What blood-clot prevention is planned?
• Do my treatments or contraception need adjusting?
• How long will I be monitored?

Before any procedure, the surgeon provides an information document describing the procedure, recovery, risks, alternatives and limits. Take time to read it, ask your questions and sign it after a reflection period. It is a right and a safety guarantee.

A reflection period of several weeks between the consultation and the procedure is recommended, especially for major procedures. It allows you to compare options, ask for a second opinion, prepare the practical organisation and make sure the decision has matured.

• Expecting liposuction to make you lose weight.
• Choosing liposuction when the skin is slack.
• Having surgery at an unstable weight.
• Continuing to smoke.
• Wanting to do everything in a single very long session.
• Choosing on price alone or on a fashionable technology.
• Judging the result in the first few weeks.

The woman with stubborn hips

A slim thirty-two-year-old woman has marked saddlebags that resist exercise. Her skin is firm. The surgeon proposes liposuction of the saddlebags and inner knees.

The mother of three

A thirty-nine-year-old woman has a slack abdomen, stretch marks below the navel and separated muscles. The surgeon proposes a full abdominoplasty with muscle repair and liposuction of the flanks.

The man with love handles

A forty-four-year-old man has full flanks and abdomen despite good physical fitness. His skin is firm. The surgeon proposes 360 liposuction, after checking that a significant share of the fat is not inside the abdomen.

The athlete who wants abs

A very athletic twenty-eight-year-old man wants to bring out his abdominal muscles. The surgeon proposes moderate-degree high-definition liposuction.

After bariatric surgery

A forty-six-year-old woman has lost forty kilos. Her abdomen hangs, and her arms and thighs are slack. The surgeon proposes a three-stage programme, starting with a circumferential abdominoplasty, with a coverage request for the medical part.

Painful legs

A thirty-five-year-old woman has had large, painful legs since adolescence, despite a normal weight in the upper body. The surgeon raises the possibility of lipoedema and refers her for a specialist assessment before suitable liposuction.

Flat buttocks

A twenty-nine-year-old woman wants more curve to her buttocks and has full hips. The surgeon proposes liposuction of the hips and fat transfer to the buttocks, injected under the skin only.

Slack arms

A fifty-two-year-old woman has arms with hanging skin. The surgeon explains that liposuction alone would worsen the laxity and proposes an arm lift.

A forty-one-year-old woman, mother of two, consults for an abdomen that no longer flattens and full flanks. Her weight has been stable for two years. The examination shows slack skin below the navel, stretch marks, separated muscles and moderate fat on the flanks. The surgeon proposes a full abdominoplasty with muscle repair and liposuction of the flanks. She takes a month to think it over and asks for a second opinion, which confirms the indication. She stops smoking six weeks beforehand. The procedure takes three hours, with two nights on site. She wears the binder for six weeks, returns to office work after three weeks and to sport after two months. At six months, her abdomen is flat, her waist defined, and her scar is beginning to fade.

A thirty-eight-year-old man consults for love handles that resist exercise. The examination shows fat under the skin of the flanks and lower abdomen, firm skin and little fat inside the abdomen. The surgeon proposes liposuction of the flanks, abdomen and lower back. The procedure takes two hours, as day surgery. He wears the compression garment for four weeks, returns to work after a week and to sport after a month. At three months, his silhouette is straighter and his clothes fit better.

It is useful to choose a period with no major work deadlines, no planned travel and help available at home. Cooler months are more comfortable for wearing the compression garment. For an important event, such as a wedding, plan the procedure at least six months beforehand.

When several areas need treating, the question arises of doing everything at once or in two stages. A single procedure means one anaesthetic and one recovery, but a longer duration and slightly higher risks. Two procedures a few months apart allow safer recovery and sometimes a better result for each area. The surgeon helps you choose according to your health and your plans.

• I know what I want to improve and why.
• My weight has been stable for several months.
• My skin has been assessed by the surgeon.
• I know the proposed procedure, its scars and its recovery.
• I have stopped smoking.
• I have arranged time off work and help at home.
• I have a detailed quote and, if necessary, my insurer's reply.
• I have taken time to think and, if necessary, asked for a second opinion.

Cosmetic body surgery relies on three families of procedures: removing fat, tightening skin and adding volume. The choice depends on fat distribution, skin quality, the condition of the muscles and your goals. Liposuction suits localised deposits on firm skin; abdominoplasty and lifts are needed when the skin is slack; fat transfer or implants add curve. Combined programmes allow several areas to be treated, within reasonable limits.

A stable weight, stopping smoking, realistic expectations and choosing an experienced surgeon are the keys to a good result. Depending on the canton, fees can be up to fourteen per cent lower than in Geneva. Each procedure has its own detailed page on our site.

Each procedure presented in this guide has a detailed page, with its indications, procedure, recovery, risks and prices in Switzerland. For liposuction, start with our page on liposuction, then see the pages on technologies and areas. For the abdomen, our page on abdominoplasty is the starting point. For the buttocks, see the page on buttock augmentation. For an overall plan after pregnancies or for men, see the pages on the mommy makeover and the male makeover. These pages explore each subject covered here in depth.

Information about cosmetic surgery abounds online, with sincere testimonials but also promotional or inaccurate content. Plastic surgery societies, health authorities and qualified surgeons are the most reliable sources. Be wary of promises of spectacular results with no downside, very low prices and pressure to decide quickly.

Talking to people who have had the same procedure can help you prepare. Bear in mind, however, that every situation is different and that online testimonials reflect individual experiences. They do not replace the opinion of a surgeon who has examined you.

Identify what really bothers you. Stabilise your weight. Stop smoking. Choose a qualified, experienced surgeon. Accept the procedure that suits your skin and tissues, even if it leaves a scar. Take time to think. Respect the recovery. And give the result time to emerge.

If you are considering reshaping your silhouette, a consultation will determine the procedure best suited to your body and expectations. Our team can direct you, free of charge, to a plastic surgeon experienced in body surgery.

Budget

Price differences between cities and cantons, the quote breakdown and ways to save are detailed on our page Guide to cosmetic body surgery: prices in Switzerland.

All the pages in this section

• Body contouring in Switzerland
• Liposuction in Switzerland
• Abdominoplasty in Switzerland
• Buttock augmentation in Switzerland
• Buttock fat transfer in Switzerland
• Thigh lift in Switzerland
• Arm lift in Switzerland
• Male makeover in Switzerland
• RibXcar rib remodelling in Switzerland
• Body feminisation in Switzerland
• Guide to lipoedema treatment in Switzerland

Related procedures

• VASER liposuction in Switzerland
• J-Plasma liposuction in Switzerland
• 4 HD liposuction in Switzerland
• Full HD liposuction in Switzerland

Our guides

• Cosmetic surgery in Switzerland

Liposuction, abdominoplasty, lifts, buttocks, recovery, risks and prices: the most frequent questions about body contouring surgery.

General questions

What does cosmetic body surgery cover? Liposuction in its various forms, abdominoplasty, arm, thigh and lower body lifts, buttock augmentation and combined programmes.

How do I know which procedure suits me? It depends on how your fat is distributed, the quality of your skin, the condition of your muscles and your goals; the surgeon helps you see clearly.

Does body surgery make you lose weight? No, it reshapes the contours; it does not replace weight loss.

Do I need to be at my ideal weight? Close to your healthy weight and stable for several months.

From what age? In adulthood, once growth is complete; there is no strict upper limit if health allows.

Is it for men too? Yes, notably for the abdomen, flanks and chest.

Liposuction

What is liposuction? Suction of localised fat using fine cannulas inserted through small incisions.

Which areas can be treated? Abdomen, flanks, hips, saddlebags, thighs, knees, arms, back, neck.

How much fat can be removed? A limited amount per session, set according to weight and health, for safety reasons.

Are technologies essential? No, they are useful tools in certain situations, but the surgeon's skill comes first.

What is high-definition liposuction? Liposuction that sculpts muscle definition, for slim people with firm skin.

Does the fat come back? The cells suctioned do not come back, but weight gain can thicken other areas.

Does liposuction treat cellulite? No.

Abdominoplasty

When is an abdominoplasty needed rather than liposuction? When the abdominal skin is slack or the muscles are separated.

What is diastasis? Separation of the rectus abdominis muscles, often after pregnancies.

Where is the scar? Low on the abdomen, hidden under underwear, and around the navel for a full abdominoplasty.

Can I still have children afterwards? Yes, but a pregnancy can change the result; it is better to have completed your family.

What is a circumferential abdominoplasty? An abdominoplasty that removes excess skin all the way round the trunk, often after major weight loss.

Lifts

When is an arm lift needed? When the skin on the inner arms is slack and hangs.

Is the arm lift scar visible? It lies on the inner arm and remains visible with the arms raised, but fades over time.

Is a thigh lift painful? Recovery is a little more restrictive because the area is used when walking.

After major weight loss, how many procedures are needed? Often two to four, spaced a few months apart.

Buttocks and hips

How can the buttocks be augmented? By fat transfer or implants, depending on the fat available and the volume desired.

Is fat transfer to the buttocks safe? It is when the fat is injected only under the skin, above the muscle, in line with current recommendations.

Can hip dips be filled? Yes, by fat transfer or, more rarely, implants.

Combined programmes

What is a mommy makeover? A combination of procedures on the breasts and abdomen after pregnancies.

And a male makeover? A combination of procedures adapted to the male silhouette, such as liposuction and gynaecomastia correction.

Can everything be done at once? Within certain limits; very long procedures increase the risks, hence sometimes two stages.

The procedure

Is general anaesthesia needed? For most procedures, yes; limited liposuction can be done under local anaesthesia.

How long do I stay at the clinic? From day surgery to a few nights, depending on the procedure.

How long should the compression garment be worn? Generally three to six weeks, depending on the procedure.

When can I return to work? From a few days to three weeks, depending on the procedure.

When can I resume sport? From three to eight weeks, depending on the procedure.

Risks

What are the main risks? Haematoma, seroma, infection, irregularities, scars and, more rarely, thrombosis.

How can I avoid a blood clot? Walk soon after the procedure, wear compression stockings and follow the prescribed prevention.

Does smoking increase the risks? Yes, markedly, especially for abdominoplasty and lifts.

Results

When is the result visible? It takes shape within two to three months and stabilises between six months and a year.

Is the result lasting? Yes, if weight remains stable.

Prices and insurance

Does insurance reimburse it? Not for cosmetic procedures; certain situations, such as lipoedema or excess skin after bariatric surgery, may be covered under conditions.

Do prices vary by canton? Yes, they can be up to fourteen per cent lower than in Geneva.

Choosing

How do I choose my surgeon? Check their specialist title, their experience of the procedure and comparable results.

Is a second opinion needed? It is useful for major procedures and if you are hesitating.

Particular situations

What is lipoedema? A condition with abnormal, often painful accumulation of fat in the legs and sometimes the arms.

Is lipoedema treated by liposuction? Specialised liposuction can reduce volume and pain, alongside other treatments.

Can I have surgery after bariatric surgery? Yes, once weight has been stable for six months to a year.

Should I lose weight before liposuction? If you are significantly overweight, yes; liposuction is not a treatment for excess weight.

Can the waist be slimmed? By liposuction of the flanks and, in some cases, by rib remodelling.

What is rib remodelling? A recent technique that changes the orientation of the lower ribs to slim the waist.

Do stretch marks disappear? Only those on the skin removed.

Can slack skin be treated without a scar? Mild laxity can benefit from skin-tightening technologies; significant laxity requires the skin to be removed.

What is BodyTite? A radiofrequency technology applied under the skin to encourage it to retract during liposuction.

What is J-Plasma? Plasma energy applied under the skin to help it retract.

What is VASER liposuction? Ultrasound-assisted liposuction that emulsifies the fat before suctioning it.

Is laser liposuction better? It can help on small areas; it is not superior in every situation.

What is 360 liposuction? Liposuction that treats all the way round the trunk: abdomen, flanks, waist and back.

Can liposuction and buttock fat transfer be combined? Yes, it is a common combination.

Are buttock implants common? Less so than fat transfer; they are used when there is not enough fat available.

Is pregnancy compatible after body surgery? Yes, but it can change the result, especially after an abdominoplasty.

Can I have surgery in summer? It is possible, but the compression garment is more uncomfortable in the heat.

Which season should I choose? Autumn and winter are often preferred for wearing compression and protecting the scars from the sun.

Should I stop the pill? This is discussed with the anaesthetist, as it increases the risk of blood clots.

Is diabetes a contraindication? Not if it is well controlled, but it increases the risk of infection and poor healing.

Can I drink alcohol afterwards? It is better to avoid it for a few weeks.

Is lymphatic drainage needed? It can speed up the reduction of swelling, without being essential.

When can I go swimming? After complete healing, often after four to six weeks.

Do scars disappear? They fade over one to two years but remain visible close up.

Can a scar be improved? Yes, with care, silicone and sometimes a revision.

Are touch-ups common? They concern a minority of patients, often after extensive liposuction or a combined programme.

When should a touch-up be done? After six months to a year, once the result has stabilised.

Can the same area be liposuctioned again? It is possible, but more delicate because of scar tissue.

Is liposuction painful? It mainly feels like aching, well relieved by painkillers.

Is abdominoplasty painful? The first few days are uncomfortable, especially after muscle repair.

Do I need help at home? Yes, for the first few days, especially after an abdominoplasty or a combined programme.

Can I drive after the procedure? After a few days to two weeks, depending on the procedure and the absence of drowsiness.

Are tests needed beforehand? A blood test and sometimes other examinations depending on age and health.

What should I prepare for the consultation? Your expectations, how your weight has changed, your medical history, your treatments and your questions.

Should I tell my employer? A sick note is enough.

Are the results guaranteed? No result is guaranteed, but a well-chosen indication generally gives good results.

Can I pay in instalments? Some clinics offer this.

Can I consult in French in German-speaking Switzerland? Yes, many surgeons see patients in French.

How can Medespoir Suisse help me? By directing you, free of charge, to a plastic surgeon suited to your plans.

Do I need to follow a diet afterwards? A balanced diet and a stable weight are enough to preserve the result.

Does exercise help maintain the result? Yes, regular activity helps stabilise weight and the silhouette.

Can skin slacken after liposuction? If it is not very elastic; that is why it is assessed beforehand.

Can there be irregularities after liposuction? Sometimes; they often fade and can be touched up.

What is a seroma? A collection of fluid under the skin, treated by aspiration.

Can liposuction be done under local anaesthesia? Yes, for limited areas.

How many areas can be treated at once? It depends on the total volume and your health; the surgeon sets the limit.

Can the back be treated? Yes, back rolls can be suctioned.

Can the knees and ankles be treated? The knees, yes; the ankles are more delicate.

Does body surgery improve self-confidence? For many patients, yes, when expectations are realistic.

What if I am not happy with the result? Wait for it to stabilise, then talk to the surgeon about a possible touch-up.

Can body and facial surgery be combined? It is possible, but the procedure becomes longer; the surgeon discusses priorities.

Are serious complications common? No, they are rare, especially when safety rules are followed.

Is long-term follow-up needed? A check-up at one year, then as needed.

Is the result visible in swimwear? Yes, once the silhouette has stabilised, with scars placed in covered areas as far as possible.

What is the first step? A consultation with a plastic surgeon to analyse your silhouette and expectations.

Can women have surgery after menopause? Yes, if health allows; the skin, being less elastic, sometimes points towards procedures that remove skin.

Is the result natural? With a suitable, measured procedure, yes.

How long between two procedures? Generally at least three to six months, to recover fully.

Tell us what you would like to improve in your silhouette and where you would like to consult. An adviser will direct you, free of charge, to a plastic surgeon experienced in body surgery.