Liposuction Surgery Guide
Proper preparation before liposuction is important for both surgical safety and a smooth recovery. Please read these instructions carefully before your procedure at Evita Clinic.
Most Important Notes
- Fasting: Do not eat or drink anything, including water, for at least 6 hours before surgery.
- GLP-1 Medications: Stop once-weekly medications such as Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound® at least 7 days before surgery. Stop daily GLP-1 medications from the day before surgery.
- Smoking and Nicotine: Stop smoking, vaping, and all nicotine products at least 1 week before surgery and avoid them for at least 2 weeks afterward.
- Maintain a Stable Weight: Do not intentionally gain weight or attempt rapid weight loss immediately before surgery. Avoid crash diets, prolonged fasting, dehydration, and extreme calorie restriction.
- Liposuction Is Body Contouring: Liposuction improves body shape and proportions but is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for long-term weight management.
- Medical Information: Inform Evita Clinic about all medical conditions, allergies, medications, hormones, vitamins, supplements, and previous anesthesia-related reactions.
- Follow-Up: You must return to Evita Clinic the day after surgery for your first postoperative check-up.
Understanding Liposuction
Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that removes localized fat deposits through small incisions using specialized suction cannulas.
At Evita Clinic, liposuction is performed using tumescent local anesthesia combined with IV sedation. The goal is not simply to remove as much fat as possible, but to improve overall balance, proportion, and contour.
The treatment area may include the abdomen, waist, back, arms, thighs, hips, chin, neck, or another selected area. The surgical plan is individually determined according to your body shape, skin elasticity, fat distribution, and medical condition.
Before Surgery Checklist
Maintain a Stable Weight and Good Nutrition
Try to maintain a stable weight before surgery. Weight gain shortly before liposuction may change the planned treatment area and make the expected contour less predictable.
Rapid weight loss immediately before surgery is also not recommended. Extreme dieting may reduce your energy, hydration, protein intake, and overall physical condition during recovery.
- Do not intentionally gain weight before surgery.
- Avoid crash diets and very-low-calorie diets.
- Avoid prolonged fasting or deliberate dehydration.
- Eat regular, balanced meals with adequate protein.
- Maintain normal hydration until the required fasting period begins.
- Do not begin an intense new exercise or weight-loss program immediately before surgery.
If you are actively losing weight, aim to reach a reasonably stable condition before surgery rather than continuing aggressive weight reduction until the operation date.
Birth Control Pills and Hormone Therapy
Please inform Evita Clinic if you use birth control pills, contraceptive patches, vaginal rings, estrogen therapy, testosterone, fertility medication, or any other hormone treatment.
Most patients do not need to stop birth control medication before routine outpatient liposuction. However, estrogen-containing contraceptives may increase the risk of blood clots in patients with additional risk factors or when extensive surgery and prolonged reduced mobility are expected.
Evita Clinic will determine whether your medication should be continued or temporarily stopped based on your surgical plan and individual blood-clot risk.
Do not stop prescribed birth control or hormone medication on your own. If temporary discontinuation is recommended, alternative contraception may be needed.
Aspirin and Anti-Inflammatory Painkillers
Unless specifically approved by Evita Clinic, avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers for at least 2 weeks before surgery.
These medications may increase bleeding and bruising.
- Aspirin
- Advil® or Motrin® (ibuprofen)
- Naprosyn® or Aleve® (naproxen)
- Excedrin® products containing aspirin
- Other anti-inflammatory painkillers
If aspirin or another medication was prescribed for a heart, vascular, or neurological condition, do not stop it without approval from the prescribing physician.
Vitamins, Herbal Products, and Supplements
Inform Evita Clinic about all vitamins, herbal medicines, weight-loss products, bodybuilding products, and dietary supplements.
Some supplements may increase bleeding, affect blood pressure or blood glucose, or interact with medications used for IV sedation.
- Vitamin E
- Ginkgo biloba
- Ginseng
- Garlic extract
- Fish oil or high-dose omega-3
- St. John’s wort
- Weight-loss supplements
- Pre-workout or bodybuilding supplements
- Other herbal products
Stop non-essential supplements according to the instructions provided by Evita Clinic. Do not assume that a product is safe simply because it is described as natural.
Stop Smoking and Nicotine
Stop smoking and using nicotine products at least 1 week before surgery and avoid them for at least 2 weeks afterward.
Nicotine reduces blood flow and may delay healing or increase the risk of wound and skin complications.
- Cigarettes
- Electronic cigarettes and vaping
- Heated tobacco products
- Nicotine gum
- Nicotine patches
- Other nicotine-containing products
Once-Weekly GLP-1 Medications
Inform Evita Clinic if you use a GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 medication for weight loss or diabetes.
These medications may slow stomach emptying. Food or liquid may remain in the stomach even after fasting, which may increase the risk of regurgitation or aspiration during IV sedation.
Stop once-weekly GLP-1 injections at least 7 full days before surgery.
Common once-weekly medications include:
- Wegovy® (semaglutide)
- Ozempic® (semaglutide)
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)
- Zepbound® (tirzepatide)
- Other similar once-weekly medications
There must be at least 7 days between your last weekly injection and your scheduled surgery.
For example, if your surgery is scheduled for a Wednesday, your last injection must be taken no later than the previous Wednesday.
If you accidentally use a weekly injection within 7 days of surgery, contact Evita Clinic immediately. Your surgery may need to be delayed or rescheduled.
Daily GLP-1 Medications
Stop daily GLP-1 medications from the day before surgery and do not take them on the morning of surgery.
Common daily medications include:
- Rybelsus® (oral semaglutide)
- Saxenda® (liraglutide)
- Victoza® (liraglutide)
- Other similar daily GLP-1 medications
If the medication is being used to treat diabetes, inform both Evita Clinic and the physician who prescribed it before changing your medication schedule.
Your diabetes treatment may need to be adjusted temporarily to prevent excessively high or low blood glucose levels.
GLP-1 Dose Escalation and Digestive Symptoms
Contact Evita Clinic before surgery if any of the following applies:
- You recently started a GLP-1 medication.
- Your dose was recently increased.
- You are still in the dose-escalation phase.
- You have nausea or vomiting.
- You have abdominal pain or significant bloating.
- You have severe or persistent constipation.
- You feel that food remains in your stomach for an unusually long time.
- You used a weekly injection within 7 days of surgery.
Elective surgery may need to be postponed until the dose-escalation period has passed and gastrointestinal symptoms have completely resolved.
Fasting for 6 hours does not automatically eliminate the risk when stomach emptying is significantly delayed.
Prescription Blood-Thinning Medications
Inform Evita Clinic as early as possible if you take an anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication.
- Plavix® (clopidogrel)
- Warfarin or Coumadin®
- Xarelto® (rivaroxaban)
- Eliquis® (apixaban)
- Pradaxa® (dabigatran)
- Other blood-thinning medications
These medications may need to be stopped several days before surgery, but the exact timing depends on the medication, dose, kidney function, medical indication, and prescribing physician’s instructions.
Never stop a prescription blood thinner on your own.
Additional blood testing or written clearance from the prescribing physician may be required before surgery.
Medical Conditions and Allergies
Inform Evita Clinic about all current and previous medical conditions, even if they appear unrelated to liposuction.
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease or abnormal heart rhythm
- Asthma or other respiratory disease
- Sleep apnea
- Varicose veins
- Previous deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- Bleeding or clotting disorders
- Liver or kidney disease
- Seizure disorder
- History of fainting
- Previous surgery
- Previous anesthesia or sedation complications
- History of alcohol or substance misuse
Also inform us about:
- Antibiotic allergies
- Pain medication allergies
- Anti-inflammatory medication allergies
- Soybean allergy
- Latex or adhesive allergy
- Previous medication reactions
Accurate medical information helps us select appropriate medications, plan the extent of surgery, and reduce avoidable risks.
Plan Your Recovery and Stay in Korea
Arrange your work schedule, travel plans, accommodation, and daily activities before surgery.
- You must return to Evita Clinic the day after surgery.
- Additional visits may be scheduled for dressing care and postoperative treatment.
- Stitches are removed according to the treatment area and wound condition.
- More extensive or multiple-area liposuction may require a longer stay.
- Avoid scheduling strenuous travel or demanding activities immediately after surgery.
The recommended length of stay depends on the surgical area, number of treated areas, amount of liposuction, and individual recovery.
Begin Fasting
Do not eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours before surgery.
This includes:
- Food
- Water
- Coffee or tea
- Juice or other beverages
- Milk
- Protein drinks
- Candy
- Chewing gum
If you accidentally eat or drink during the fasting period, inform Evita Clinic immediately. Your surgery may need to be delayed or rescheduled.
On the Day of Surgery
- Do not eat or drink anything during the required fasting period.
- Do not take a daily GLP-1 medication.
- Tell our medical staff immediately if you used a weekly GLP-1 injection within 7 days of surgery.
- Tell our medical staff if you have nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, or severe constipation.
- Bring your passport or another valid identification document.
- Wear loose and comfortable clothing.
- Wear clothing that is easy to put on over your compression garment.
- Remove jewelry, watches, and all body piercings.
- Remove contact lenses before surgery.
- Do not apply makeup, body lotion, oil, or deodorant to the treatment area.
- Remove nail polish as instructed and leave at least one fingernail uncovered.
- Do not bring valuable jewelry or unnecessary valuables.
- Arrange transportation after surgery.
- Do not drive yourself to or from the clinic.
- Arrive at the scheduled time provided by our coordinator.
- If you take medication for high blood pressure, inform Evita Clinic in advance. In most cases, it may be taken with a small sip of water, but follow the individual instructions provided to you.
What Liposuction Can and Cannot Do
- Liposuction can reduce localized subcutaneous fat and improve body contour and proportions.
- Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity.
- Liposuction does not remove visceral fat located inside the abdominal cavity.
- Liposuction does not guarantee major weight loss.
- Stretch marks are not removed by liposuction.
- Loose skin may not contract completely after fat removal.
- Skin elasticity, age, previous weight changes, and the amount of fat removed influence the final result.
- Long-term results depend on maintaining a stable weight, regular activity, and appropriate dietary habits.
Important Note
The best liposuction results occur when patients arrive in good general condition, maintain a reasonably stable weight, follow fasting and medication instructions, and attend all scheduled follow-up visits.
Avoid both intentional weight gain and aggressive weight loss immediately before surgery. Focus instead on regular balanced meals, adequate protein, normal hydration, sufficient sleep, and maintaining your usual physical condition.
Every patient has a different medical history, medication schedule, surgical plan, and recovery process. Follow the individual instructions provided by Evita Clinic even if they differ from general information found online.
Questions?
If you are unsure about a medication, GLP-1 injection, supplement, fasting instruction, weight-loss plan, or medical condition, contact Evita Clinic before your scheduled surgery.