Overview
Liposuction in Cartagena is body-contouring surgery that removes stubborn fat deposits through small incisions using a thin tube (cannula) connected to suction. Mayo Clinic describes it as a way to reshape areas such as the abdomen, flanks, back, arms, thighs or under the chin that have not responded to diet and exercise. It is not a weight-loss method: it works best in people who are close to a stable weight and have localized fat.
Because the skin has to shrink over the new contour, results depend as much on skin quality as on the amount of fat removed. Firm, elastic skin usually adapts smoothly; loose skin may need an excision procedure instead.
Dr. Fulvio Correa evaluates each liposuction patient, in person in Cartagena or virtually for people who live abroad, so a patient in the United States can learn whether the plan makes sense before buying a ticket. This page covers candidacy, techniques, the role of compression garments, recovery milestones and what to plan if you are flying in. You can at any point.
Candidates
Good candidates tend to share three traits, according to Mayo Clinic and ASPS patient guidance:
- Localized fat that resists diet and exercise, with a body weight that has been steady for a while.
- Good skin tone and elasticity, so the skin can redrape after fat is removed.
- Good general health, without conditions that make surgery riskier, such as poor circulation, coronary artery disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system.
Set expectations clearly: liposuction does not treat cellulite, does not remove stretch marks and does not tighten loose skin. Mayo Clinic also notes that fat can return in untreated areas if you gain weight later, so the result is stable only while your weight is.
If your main concern is hanging skin on the abdomen, a tummy tuck is the more direct option. If you would like to reuse the harvested fat to shape the hips and buttocks, that becomes a Brazilian butt lift, which has its own safety considerations.
Technique
How liposuction is performed
The surgeon first infiltrates a solution of saline with a local anesthetic and a vessel-constricting medicine (the tumescent technique), which reduces bleeding and discomfort. Small incisions are then made and the cannula is moved in controlled passes to remove fat, often from several angles for a smooth transition.
Mayo Clinic describes several variations the surgeon may choose from:
- Suction-assisted liposuction, the most common form.
- Ultrasound-assisted liposuction, which uses ultrasound energy to break down fat before removal.
- Laser-assisted liposuction, which uses laser energy through a fiber.
- Power-assisted liposuction, a vibrating cannula that can help with fibrous areas or repeat procedures.
The technique is chosen for the area, the fat volume and any previous surgery, not because one device is "better" for everyone.
"Lipo 360" and larger sessions
"Lipo 360" is a marketing term for treating the abdomen, flanks and back together. Treating more area in one session increases operating time and fluid shifts; Mayo Clinic notes that complication risk rises with larger surfaces or combined procedures. Anesthesia can range from local with sedation for small areas to general anesthesia for larger sessions, and patients who have a lot of fluid removed may stay overnight for monitoring.
Stay in Cartagena
When you can fly after liposuction
ASPS suggests waiting at least five to seven days before flying after body procedures such as liposuction. That is a minimum for uncomplicated recovery; larger sessions, combined procedures or a long connection home may call for more time, and the final date is set at your follow-up visit.
Planning the trip
- Compression in the heat. Mayo Clinic notes that most people wear compression garments for a few weeks. In Cartagena's humid climate, bring breathable underlayers and plan air-conditioned lodging.
- Aisle seat and movement. Book an aisle seat, walk during the flight when possible and stay hydrated; long flights raise clot risk on their own.
- Someone with you the first night. Mayo Clinic advises having a person drive you and stay with you at least the first night.
- Flexible return. Keep your ticket changeable in case swelling or a seroma needs another check.
Colombia as a destination
Many U.S. patients research body contouring in Colombia, and ASPS encourages anyone considering surgery abroad to verify credentials and plan follow-up in advance. Dr. Correa's membership in the Sociedad Colombiana de Cirugía Plástica can be verified on the SCCP website. For a travel-focused read, see our liposuction in Cartagena consultation and recovery guide.
Specific risks
Beyond bleeding and anesthesia reactions, Mayo Clinic lists these liposuction-specific risks:
- Contour irregularities—bumpy, wavy or uneven skin, which can be permanent.
- Seroma, temporary pockets of fluid that may need draining.
- Numbness or nerve irritation in treated areas, temporary or permanent.
- Infection, rare but potentially serious.
- Internal puncture, rare, if the cannula passes too deep.
- Fat embolism, when fat enters a blood vessel and travels to the lungs or brain—a medical emergency.
- Kidney, heart and lung problems related to fluid shifts in large-volume sessions.
- Lidocaine toxicity from the anesthetic in the tumescent fluid.
Risk increases with the amount of fat removed and the number of areas treated in one operation. Ask how the plan limits volume and operating time in your case. Seek help immediately for shortness of breath, chest pain or confusion.
General information; it does not replace an individual medical assessment.
Recovery timeline
First 48 hours
Expect soreness, swelling, bruising and some fluid leaking from the small incisions. You will be in a compression garment and encouraged to take short walks.
End of week one
Mayo Clinic notes that you may need only a few days before returning to desk work. ASPS suggests at least five to seven days before a flight after liposuction.
Weeks 2–6
Compression continues for a few weeks. Usual activities, including exercise, typically return over a few weeks as your surgeon clears you. Some firmness or unevenness is common while swelling resolves.
Months 2–6
Swelling usually goes down within weeks, and Mayo Clinic says the area should look slimmer within several months. Results last as long as your weight remains stable.
To transfer the harvested fat to the buttocks and hips, the plan becomes a Brazilian butt lift
When loose abdominal skin or muscle separation is part of the picture, liposuction is often paired with a Tummy tuck
Questions about liposuction
How long should I stay in Cartagena after liposuction?
ASPS suggests waiting at least five to seven days before flying after liposuction. Larger or combined procedures may need more time, and your surgeon confirms the date after checking swelling and incisions.
Is liposuction a way to lose weight?
No. It removes localized fat deposits to improve contour. Mayo Clinic notes that diet, exercise or other types of surgery lead to more weight loss than liposuction.
What is the difference between liposuction and lipo 360?
Lipo 360 is a common name for treating the abdomen, flanks and back in one session. It is the same procedure over a larger area, which means more operating time and a higher complication risk.
How long do I wear a compression garment after liposuction?
Most people wear compression garments for a few weeks to reduce swelling and support the new contour. Your surgeon sets the exact duration based on the areas treated.
Can the fat come back after liposuction?
The fat cells removed do not return, but remaining fat can grow with weight gain, sometimes in untreated areas. Keeping a stable weight preserves the result.
Does liposuction tighten loose skin or remove cellulite?
No. Liposuction does not treat cellulite or stretch marks, and loose skin may look looser after fat removal. Significant skin excess usually needs a lifting procedure such as a tummy tuck.