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Tumescent and VASER Liposuction in Catania

Free consultation

from $1,200

The price is fixed in the contract before surgery

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Real case
Liposuction: a patient's abdomen and flanks before and after surgery before after
Stubborn local fat that diet and exercise don't shift. Your plan is set at the consultation

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Liposuction and fat removal in Catania: price and key facts

Liposuction for patients from Catania at City Medical Centre starts at €1,100 (from $1,200). The first online consultation is free; the doctor names the final price and it is fixed in the contract.

Price
€1,100 (from $1,200)
Duration
1–4 hours
Anesthesia
local or general
Stay
home the same day (local anesthesia) or after 1 day (general anesthesia)
Recovery
back to work after 7–10 days
Final result
3–6 months after surgery
How it works
Send photos on WhatsApp or Telegram, get a free doctor assessment and the price, then confirm the plan and dates before anything is booked.

How it works · Liposuction prices

Information current as of 24 October 2026

Free online consultation on WhatsApp and Telegram

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Results

Liposuction and fat removal results
of our patients

All cases are real patients. Faces and identifying details are hidden.

Abdomen and sides

Liposuction of the abdomen and waist: before and after surgerybeforeafter
Liposuction of the abdomen and waist: before and after surgerybeforeafter
Liposuction of the abdomen and waist: before and after surgerybeforeafter
Liposuction of the abdomen and waist: before and after surgerybeforeafter
Liposuction of the abdomen and waist: before and after surgerybeforeafter
Liposuction of the abdomen and waist: before and after surgerybeforeafter
Liposuction of the abdomen and waist: before and after surgerybeforeafter
Liposuction of the abdomen and waist: before and after surgerybeforeafter
Liposuction of the abdomen and waist: before and after surgerybeforeafter
Liposuction of the abdomen and waist: before and after surgerybeforeafter
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Comparison

Liposuction techniques

We use two liposuction techniques: tumescent (classic) and VASER (ultrasound). Compare the goal, the indications and the anaesthesia to choose the right technique together with your surgeon.

Tumescent liposuction

A special solution loosens fat for removal through a thin cannula

Tumescent liposuction: abdomen and thighs before and after surgery

from $1,200

Main goal
Removal of local fat with minimal blood loss
When it is done
Abdomen, flanks, thighs, back, arms, chin
Anaesthesia and stay
Local or general anaesthesia, home the same day or after 1 day

VASER liposuction

Ultrasound breaks down fat cells before vacuum removal

VASER liposuction: a male patient before and after surgery

Price at consultation

Main goal
Defined muscle relief and body contouring
When it is done
Athletic abs and delicate areas
Anaesthesia and stay
Local or general anaesthesia, 1–4 hours of surgery

The benefits and recovery times shown are averaged for each technique and given for guidance: the scope of correction and rehabilitation depend on your anatomy and individual features, and the surgeon confirms them at the consultation.

At the consultation the surgeon draws up a plan for your case and explains how your liposuction will go.

Free, before surgery and with no obligation.

Book a consultation

Areas we treat

Several areas can be treated in a single operation, saving both recovery time and budget

  • Abdomen and sides

    The most requested area for women and men, often combined with abdominoplasty

  • Thighs (outer and inner)

    Fat “traps” that resist exercise

  • The back and lower back

    Back fat that spoils body contours

  • Arms and shoulders

    A cosmetic concern that shows in warm weather

  • Chin and neck

    Small area, fast visible result

  • Knees

    A sensitive area requiring precise work

  • Chest (for men)

    Gynecomastia, pseudogynecomastia — the fat component

About the clinic

A clinic where you can feel at ease

Modern equipment, comfortable rooms and care for every patient

A doctor and a patient in a clinic ward

Contact us the way that suits you

We will answer your questions and find a convenient time for a consultation

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Request a free call

Liposuction is not for everyone

If your case can be solved without surgery, the doctor will tell you so at the consultation — and you will not spend money for nothing.

Suitable

A surgeon shows a patient on a model and a monitor how the body contour changes after liposuction
  • Local fat that resists diet and exercise
  • Uneven subcutaneous fat
  • Disrupted body proportions
  • Silhouette changes after childbirth or weight loss
  • Fat component of gynecomastia in men
  • Good skin tone and elasticity

Not suitable

A surgeon discusses the indications and contraindications for liposuction with a patient
  • Not yet 18
  • Pregnancy and the breastfeeding period
  • Endocrine obesity
  • Decompensated diabetes
  • Problems with blood clotting
  • Serious heart, kidney or liver disease, cancer

Not sure the surgery is right for you?

Leave your number — the coordinator will call you back, and the surgeon will tell you whether liposuction suits you. No surgery booking needed.

Find out if it suits me
A surgeon goes through the treatment areas with a patient at the consultation

Prices

You know the price
before surgery

The final price is calculated individually after an examination and fixed in the contract.

Liposuction prices

  • First consultationFree
  • Flanks / waist liposuctionfrom $1,400
  • Thigh liposuction (outer)from $1,200
  • Thigh liposuction (inner)from $1,200
  • Torso liposuction (lower back, sides of the abdomen, front abdominal wall)from $3,600
Book a consultation

Find out your liposuction plan and price

The surgeon assesses the fat deposits and skin tone, listens to your wishes and chooses the right technique.

A nurse talks to a patient in a clinic ward

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Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

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A patient before liposuction in the operating room

all inclusive

What the price includes

From preparation for surgery
to post-op check-ups.

  • All scheduled dressings
  • Scheduled post-op check-ups
  • A personal coordinator on call
  • Compression garments fitted on the day of surgery
  • A stay in a comfortable
    hospital ward with meals
  • Individual recommendations
    for recovery
  • Remote progress monitoring
    by photos

from $1,200

Book a consultation

How it works

From consultation —
to your new contour

An agreed treatment plan, careful monitoring after surgery and post-op check-ups.

A surgeon goes through the liposuction plan with a patient on a monitor1

Consultation
and the surgical plan

The surgeon listens to your wishes, assesses the fat deposits and skin tone and rules out contraindications. A hormonal screening is also ordered — it helps predict the long-term result.

Paying the deposit by card at the clinic reception2

Booking the date
of surgery

We reserve a surgery date for you: the deposit can be paid by card at the clinic or online by bank transfer. The terms are fixed in the contract for medical services

A blood sample tube for tests before liposuction3

Check-up before
surgery

Blood tests (complete count, coagulation panel, biochemistry, infections), an ECG, a chest X-ray and, if needed, a GP consultation. All tests can be done at the clinic with no waiting.

The surgical team during the operation4

Surgery

Marking the areas and fitting compression garments. Under local or general anaesthesia the surgeon removes fat through 3–5 mm micro-punctures — from 1 hour for small areas to 3–4 hours for a combined procedure.

A hospital ward at the clinic5

Waking up
and monitoring

With local anaesthesia you go home 3–4 hours after surgery; with general anaesthesia you stay one day in a comfortable ward under medical supervision.

A surgeon and a patient in the ward during recovery6

Recovery

Compression garments for 30–45 days. First changes show at 2 weeks, once swelling subsides; the final result forms in 3–6 months. Check-ups at 7 days, 3 and 6 months.

Book a free consultation — the surgeon will plan every step with you.

A doctor discusses the liposuction plan with a patient
Book a consultation
A doctor discusses the liposuction plan with a patient

The recovery period after liposuction

After tumescent liposuction, recovery is much shorter than after a conventional procedure. Most patients return to work within 7–10 days. In the first week, mild swelling and a raised temperature are possible — a normal response to surgery. Compression garments are worn for 30–45 days: they fix the new contours and speed up tissue recovery. In the first month, bathhouse, sauna, pool and intense sport are off-limits. For the best result and faster recovery we recommend lymphatic drainage massage, pressotherapy and a gradual return to activity. First visible changes show 2 weeks after surgery, when the main swelling subsides; the final result forms in 3–6 months.

Post-op check-ups

After 7 days, at 3 months and at 6 months. Until the end of the year, get a post-surgery consultation with your surgeon to review results and get more information, at the clinic's expense.

Advantages

Reasons patients choose City Medical Centre

A surgeon discusses the liposuction plan with a patient at the consultation

Just find out — you lose nothing

At the consultation we discuss your wishes and assess the fat deposits and skin tone. Before surgery an endocrinologist rules out hormonal causes of the fat deposits — this improves the long-term result.

A surgeon on a video call with a patient after surgery

We stay with you after surgery

The surgeon follows your recovery and the new body contour at check-ups after 7 days, 3 and 6 months. Check-ups, dressings and aftercare advice are already included in the price of surgery.

A surgeon shows a patient a model and body contouring diagrams

A beautiful contour that fits your figure

Tumescent and VASER techniques, micro-incisions of 3–5 mm and precise volume control. Our aim is a smooth contour that keeps the natural proportions of your body.

A patient writes down a convenient visit time in her planner

Your schedule is our priority

We respect your time: we work 24/7, with easy booking and a personal approach — we adapt to your pace.

A surgeon shows a patient a tablet: no hidden fees

Fixed prices

After the consultation the surgeon defines the areas and the scope of surgery, and you get a clear price fixed in the contract — no hidden extras.

A surgeon visits a patient in the hospital ward after surgery

Round-the-clock care after surgery

With general anaesthesia recovery starts in a comfortable hospital ward under round-the-clock nursing care. The stay and meals are already included in the price.

FAQ

We answer what
people ask before booking

Our clinic also offers

Liposuction in Catania: price and what is included

Prices are in US dollars; the amount in brackets is an approximate conversion to EUR at the rate of 02.10.2026. The final price is fixed in your contract.

How much does liposuction in Catania cost?

Prices start from $1,200 (≈ €1,100) per area. The surgeon sets the final price at the free consultation, and it is fixed in the contract, with no hidden extras.

What is included in the price?

The operation under local or general anaesthesia and the surgeon's support throughout recovery. The price is per area and fixed in the contract.

How do I get my exact price?

Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram using the buttons below. A coordinator will answer your questions and book a free consultation where the doctor names the exact price.

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Liposuction in Catania: what you should know

Liposuction is a surgical method of removing excess subcutaneous fat from problem areas. It is not a weight-loss tool and does not replace diet or exercise: its purpose is targeted contouring. Patients from Catania most often ask about saddlebags on the thighs, a sagging belly, and fat on the back, flanks, arms or chin. Fat cells taken from treated areas do not grow back, so with a steady lifestyle the result lasts.

Follow-up does not end at discharge. The surgeon stays in touch throughout recovery, and planned check-ups take place at 7 days and at 3 months. Until the end of the year, a post-op follow-up consultation with the surgeon is at the clinic's expense, to review the result and answer questions. Patients from Catania also get advice on returning gradually to activity.

Liposuction starts from $1,200 (≈ €1,100) for a single area, and the final figure is calculated individually after an examination. For patients from Catania, the price is fixed in the contract with no hidden extras, and interest-free instalments are available. The first consultation with the surgeon is free: leave your name and phone number, and a coordinator will contact you to book it.

Stories of well-known people

Well-known people who spoke openly about this operation, in their own words.

All stories about this operation →

Shaping the body between Etna and the Ionian Sea

Catania sits on the east coast of Sicily, on the Ionian Sea, at the foot of Mount Etna. It is the second-largest city on the island after Palermo, with 296,984 inhabitants by the 2026 estimate and 301,104 in the ISTAT count of 2021. The Metropolitan City is much larger, at 1,067,550 people across 58 municipalities. For liposuction this matters in a practical way. A patient may live in the compact city on a small area of 182.90 km2 or in one of the surrounding municipalities. Either way, the first stage of the process happens on a phone screen, not in a waiting room.

Liposuction is a body-contouring operation. It removes stubborn local fat that does not respond to diet and exercise. The areas most often treated are the abdomen and waist, the outer and inner thighs, the back including the lower back, the arms, the chin and neck, the knees, and the fat component of male chest enlargement. Several areas can be treated in a single operation, which saves recovery time. The abdomen and flanks are among the most requested combinations. The doctor agrees the list of areas with you at the consultation, based on your health and the result you want.

A consultation for a patient in Catania runs entirely online. You send photographs on WhatsApp or Telegram, and the coordinators answer round the clock, 24/7. The doctor then assesses the fat deposits and the skin tone from your pictures and your answers, and names the technique and the scope of the operation. Two techniques are used. Tumescent liposuction loosens fat with a special solution and removes it through a thin cannula. VASER uses ultrasound to break down fat cells before vacuum removal, and it is chosen when defined muscle relief is the goal, for example athletic abdominal contours or delicate areas. Nothing is booked until you have confirmed the plan and the dates.

The first consultation is free and carries no obligation to book. Many people in a city of this size want to understand what is realistic before deciding anything. The conversation is the place to do that. Ask what can be removed, what cannot, and whether your case needs surgery at all. If a non-surgical route would solve it, the doctor will say so.

Compression garments in a 35 °C July and a 17 °C January

After liposuction the compression garment is worn for 30–45 days. It fixes the new contours and speeds up tissue recovery. It is fitted on the day of the operation, so it is part of the procedure, not an extra purchase for later. In Catania the season in which you wear it makes a real difference, and the climate figures show why.

At the Catania-Sigonella station, the 1991–2020 averages give a July mean high of 35.1 °C and a low of 21.4 °C. August is slightly warmer, at 35.5 °C and 22.3 °C. A temperature of 40 °C is passed a couple of times in most years, and the recorded maximum is 46.7 °C in July. Relative humidity averages 70.3% over the year, and the sun shines for 3,225.9 hours annually, including 381.6 hours in June. A close-fitting garment worn for 30–45 days in such weather is a tighter commitment than the same garment in a cooler month. Discuss this at the consultation. The doctor can explain how the garment is worn and what to do about skin comfort under it.

Winter is milder. January averages a high of 17.5 °C and a low of 6.3 °C. The garment sits comfortably under ordinary clothing, and the heat load is lower. The wettest months are December, with 78.5 mm, and November, with 66.2 mm. Annual precipitation totals 483.8 mm across 50.7 days of at least 1 mm. Snow is a rarity: the last snowfall on record was on 17 December 1988, and light snow fell on 9 February 2015. Cold is therefore not a recovery problem in Catania, but a wet November day is a good reason to plan your first walks around the weather.

There are also restrictions that matter in a hot, sunny city. In the first month the bathhouse, sauna, pool and intense sport are off-limits, and alcohol and tanning beds should be avoided for at least a month. Tanning beds and heat exposure are on that list for a reason. The text of the plan does not describe sea swimming or sunbathing on healing skin, so do not assume either is allowed. Ask the doctor directly and wait for the answer before making summer plans.

Dry months deserve a mention too. July is the driest month, with 7.8 mm of rain and only 0.4 rainy days, followed by August with 9.8 mm. If you are choosing between a summer and a winter date, the practical comparison is simple. In summer you recover in heat and in strong sun. In winter you recover in mild, wetter weather. Neither is wrong. The doctor will help you pick a date that fits both your health and your calendar.

Choosing a date around February festivities and winter seasons

The recovery timeline is the same for everyone, and the calendar is yours to arrange around it. Most patients return to work within 7–10 days. In the first week mild swelling and a raised temperature are possible, which is a normal response to surgery. The first visible changes appear at about 2 weeks, once the main swelling subsides. The interim result comes at 1.5–2 months, swelling and bruising disappear by weeks 4–5, and the final contour forms over 3–6 months. Check-ups are scheduled at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months.

Catania has a strong winter calendar. The Festival of Saint Agatha takes place every 5 February, and the festivities begin on 3 February. The Teatro Massimo Bellini runs its opera season from December to May, and the Catania Jazz Festival continues over several winter months. The patron-saint date of 5 February is a local observance and does not appear on the list of national holidays, so you should not assume that offices and services are closed. If you want to be recovered and comfortable for the festival, count backwards. For a date in February 2027, the 3–6 month window for the final result obviously extends beyond the event. The first changes at 2 weeks and the interim result at 1.5–2 months are the realistic markers, and the contour will keep refining after the festival.

Public holidays also affect scheduling. National holidays in Italy include 1 January, 6 January, Easter Monday, 25 April, 1 May, 2 June, 15 August, 4 October, 1 November, 8 December, 25 December and 26 December, and every Sunday is a holiday. An example shows how to use this list. Suppose your operation falls in the second half of November 2026. The 2-week mark would land close to the 8 December holiday, and the 7-day check-up would fall in the days just before it. Because the coordinators work 24/7 and photo follow-up is done remotely, the holiday does not stop contact. It simply changes when you personally are free to rest.

The city is also a university town. The University of Catania, founded in 1434, had 40,287 students in 2024/2025. For a student or a young professional, the exam periods and the academic year are the real constraints on timing. The 7–10 days before returning to work is the figure to compare with your timetable. Remember that a combined operation lasts up to 3–4 hours and a small area as little as 1 hour. With local anaesthesia you go home 3–4 hours after the operation, and with general anaesthesia you stay one day in a ward under supervision.

Weight stability, national statistics and where liposuction fits

Liposuction is not a weight-loss method. It targets local deposits that resist diet and exercise, and it reshapes the body's contours. If your weight is unstable, the recommendation is to see a nutritionist or an endocrinologist first. This is why the process begins with a hormonal screening, which also helps predict the long-term result. An endocrinologist rules out hormonal causes of the fat deposits before surgery. Endocrine obesity and decompensated diabetes are on the list of conditions for which liposuction is not suitable.

The national figures give context. According to ISTAT 2023, among adults aged 18 and over, 46.3% are overweight or obese. Overweight accounts for 34.6% and obesity for 11.8%, up from 10.3% in 2013. In the same survey, 35% of people aged 3 and over are sedentary. These are national numbers and no regional split for Sicily was found, so they should not be read as figures for Catania specifically. They do explain why a doctor will ask about your weight history and your daily activity before anything else.

The relevant distinction is between local fat and general obesity. Italian criteria for bariatric surgery set the thresholds clearly: a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more, or a BMI of 35–39.9 with one or more obesity-related diseases, together with failed conservative therapy, adult age, and abstinence from alcohol, drugs and smoking for at least 6 weeks before surgery. If your situation is closer to those criteria, liposuction is not the right tool, and the doctor will redirect you to bariatric surgery, which City Medical Centre also offers, or to a nutritionist first.

Weight stability matters after the operation as well. Removed fat cells do not come back, but the remaining ones can grow if you gain weight. A strict diet is not required, but a balanced diet and regular physical activity help keep the result. A stable weight for a period before the operation is the best sign that the new contour will last. Bring your weight history to the consultation, including any recent gains or losses.

A last point concerns skin. Good skin tone and elasticity are listed among the signs that liposuction is suitable, and the doctor checks them before the operation. Good skin tightens on its own and adapts to the new contours. If the tone is reduced or stretch marks are present, preparatory treatments are recommended. After major weight loss, excess skin may call for a different operation, such as a tummy tuck, and the consultation is where that is decided.

Walking, the metro and getting moving again after liposuction

Recovery is not bed rest. The plan calls for a gradual return to activity, together with lymphatic drainage massage and pressotherapy, which are recommended for the best result and faster recovery. During the first 7 days you skip physical exertion and heavy lifting. In the first month intense sport is off-limits, along with the bathhouse, sauna and pool. What remains is gentle movement, and that is where the city's layout is relevant.

Catania is built at an elevation of only 7 m, with a density of 1,623.8 inhabitants per km2. Public transport includes a metro line of 8.8 km that has operated since 1999. The Circumetnea, a 110 km narrow-gauge railway around Etna, reaches a maximum elevation of 976 m. For a patient in recovery these are facts to plan around, not recommendations to use them. A short walk on level ground is a reasonable aim for the first days, but any longer outing, stairs, or standing on a crowded train should be agreed with the doctor, since swelling and a tight garment change how long you can stay on your feet.

Sport is part of Catania's identity. The Stadio Angelo Massimino, opened in 1937, holds 21,000 spectators, and the Catania-Etna car hill-climb dates to 1923. If you are a regular spectator or an active amateur, the question to ask is when you can go back to the stands and when you can go back to training. Sitting in a stadium seat for 2 hours in a compression garment is different from a short walk. The restriction on intense sport applies for the first month, and the doctor sets individual guidance at the check-ups.

VASER is relevant to athletic patients. It aims at defined muscle relief and body contouring, especially athletic abdominal contours and delicate areas. It is not a shortcut to a trained body, and it does not replace exercise. A patient who trains regularly should say so at the consultation, because the choice between tumescent and VASER depends on the goal, the area and the anatomy.

As weeks pass the contour settles. Swelling and bruising disappear by weeks 4–5, the interim result appears at 1.5–2 months, and the final contours form in 3–6 months as the tissues adapt. Cellulite is worth a note. Liposuction removes fat tissue but does not change the skin structure that causes cellulite, although improved body contours visibly reduce its appearance.

How Italian healthcare treats aesthetic surgery, and how an online plan works

Italy's national health service, the SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), was established in 1978 and provides universal coverage to citizens and residents. It is run on a regional basis under the Ministry of Health, which sets the national Essential Levels of Care (LEA). Purely aesthetic surgery is not paid for by the SSN. A national article from January 2024 describes it as accessible only through private services. The SSN does cover reconstructive surgery after trauma, burns and mastectomy, and defined functional cases. Procedures needed to reduce the risks of severe obesity, including bariatric surgery, are covered, and so is post-obesity abdominoplasty according to the same secondary source.

In practice this means liposuction for body contouring is a private decision, and you should not expect a referral through the public system. It also means that you control the timing. Waiting times in the public system are usually up to a few months in the big public facilities, and up to a few weeks in private facilities contracted with the SSN, though no official waiting-list figure was found. A private online consultation avoids that queue for the first step: you get the doctor's assessment and the plan without an appointment slot.

The health system also shows a regional pattern. There is evidence of patients moving from the poorer southern regions to the more prosperous north for care. Whether you decide to stay with a local provider or ask for an online second opinion, the point is the same. You should be able to compare options before committing. The first consultation here is free and does not oblige you to book anything.

The steps are clear. First comes the consultation and the surgical plan. The doctor assesses the fat deposits and the skin tone and rules out contraindications. Then a date is reserved, and the terms are fixed in the contract for medical services. Before the operation come blood tests (complete count, coagulation panel, biochemistry, infections), an ECG, a chest X-ray and, if needed, a GP consultation. The operation follows, with the areas marked and compression garments fitted. Fat is removed through 3–5 mm micro-punctures, which usually need no stitches. After waking up you are monitored, and recovery follows with check-ups at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months.

Preparation is simple but strict. Give up smoking, alcohol and medications that affect clotting, such as aspirin, 7–10 days before liposuction. After the first consultation you receive all the instructions in writing. Not everyone is a candidate. Age under 18, pregnancy and the breastfeeding period, endocrine obesity, decompensated diabetes, blood coagulation disorders, and serious heart, kidney or liver disease or cancer are listed as reasons that liposuction is not suitable.

Is summer or winter the better season for liposuction in Catania?

Neither is wrong, and the choice depends on comfort. The compression garment is worn for 30–45 days. In July the mean high is 35.1 °C and 40 °C is passed a couple of times in most years, so wearing a close-fitting garment is more demanding. In January the mean high is 17.5 °C and the low 6.3 °C, so the garment sits easily under clothes. Winter is wetter, with December the wettest month at 78.5 mm. Discuss your preference with the doctor, who will also consider your health and your calendar.

Can I swim in the sea or sunbathe during recovery?

The recovery rules name the bathhouse, sauna, pool and intense sport as off-limits for the first month, and they advise avoiding alcohol and tanning beds for at least a month. Sea swimming and sunbathing are not described in the guidance, so do not assume they are allowed. Ask the doctor directly at the consultation or at the check-up and follow the answer you receive. Catania has more than 3,200 hours of sunshine a year, so this question is worth settling before you choose a date.

Does the Sicilian public health system pay for liposuction?

No, not when it is purely aesthetic. A national article from January 2024 states that purely aesthetic surgery is accessible only through private services. The SSN covers reconstructive surgery after trauma, burns and mastectomy, and defined functional cases. Procedures that reduce the risks of severe obesity, including bariatric surgery and post-obesity abdominoplasty, are described as covered. If you are unsure which category your case falls into, ask your GP and also send us your photos for a free assessment.

Is it better to schedule the operation before the Saint Agatha festival in February?

It depends on what you want to feel ready for. The festivities begin on 3 February and the main day is 5 February. The first changes appear at about 2 weeks, the interim result at 1.5–2 months, and the final contour forms over 3–6 months. Most people are back at work within 7–10 days. If you want to attend comfortably, count back from the date and leave at least several weeks. Intense sport remains off-limits for the first month. The doctor can help you choose a realistic date.

How do national holidays and Sundays affect my follow-up?

The coordinators answer 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram, and recovery progress is monitored remotely by photos, so a holiday does not interrupt contact. In Italy every Sunday is a holiday, along with dates such as 1 November, 8 December, 25 December and 26 December. The scheduled check-ups at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months are arranged in advance, so mention any holiday that falls near them when you confirm your dates.

Does the 46.3% national overweight figure mean I am not a candidate?

No. That figure from ISTAT 2023 describes adults across Italy: 34.6% overweight and 11.8% obese. It is not a threshold for you. What matters is whether your fat is local and resistant to diet and exercise, whether your weight is stable, and whether the skin has good tone and elasticity. If your BMI is 40 kg/m2 or more, or 35–39.9 with obesity-related disease, the doctor may point you towards bariatric options instead. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method.

I am a student at the University of Catania. How quickly can I return to lectures?

Most patients return to work and their normal routine within 7–10 days. Lectures usually involve long sitting and carrying a bag, so avoid heavy lifting during the first 7 days. Swelling and bruising disappear by weeks 4–5. If you have exams, tell the coordinator the dates when you send photos, and the doctor will take them into account when proposing a day. Keep in mind that a combined operation can last 3–4 hours.

Can I walk to the metro and use public transport soon after the operation?

Gentle walking is part of a gradual return to activity, but the first week calls for no physical exertion or heavy lifting. Catania's metro line is 8.8 km long. A short, level journey is very different from a long standing trip in a tight garment, and swelling changes your tolerance from day to day. Ask the doctor what is reasonable for your operation, particularly if several areas were treated. Individual recommendations are given after surgery.

Do I need to stop anything before the consultation, or only before the operation?

Nothing needs to be stopped for the first online consultation. The preparation rules apply before the operation itself. Give up smoking, alcohol and medications affecting clotting, such as aspirin, 7–10 days before liposuction. You will also need pre-operative tests: blood tests, ECG, ultrasound, and consultations with a GP and an anaesthesiologist. All instructions are provided after the first consultation, so you do not have to memorise them in advance.

What if my weight keeps changing in the months before the operation?

Say so openly. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method and works best on a stable weight. If your weight is unstable, the recommendation is to see a nutritionist or an endocrinologist first. A hormonal screening is part of the planning and helps predict the long-term result. After the operation, removed fat cells do not come back, but the remaining ones can grow with weight gain, so a balanced diet and regular activity help keep the contour.