Liposuction
Surgical removal of stubborn fat

Liposuction is a technique to remove stubborn fat that resists the effects of exercise and diet. Several techniques exist with the most common at present being the tumescent technique and ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL). When combined with ongoing exercise and correct diet effects can be long lasting.

Length

The procedure can take between one and three hours depending on the procedure used and the extent of the operation.

Procedure

Liposuction can be carried out either under general or local anaesthetic: It involves the insertion of a tube beneath the skin, which is used to suck up excess fat. A variety of techniques can be combined to make the targeted fat more easily removable; these include saline injection with adrenaline and anaesthetics to reduce blood loss and the use of ultrasound equipment.

Recovery

Normal activity can be resumed as early as a week after the procedure with more strenuous activity possible after three or four weeks. Initial discomfort should reduce rapidly but bruising, swelling can take anything up to six months to return to normal levels.

Risks

Cosmetic risks resulting from the operation are asymmetry of the resulting look and loose skin around areas where fat has been removed. The colour of the skin can also be affected by changes in pigmentation.

Procedures may, in rare cases, result in infection. Fat removal results in fluid-loss, which may result in shock: modern techniques have significantly reduced the fluid loss associated with liposuction and older techniques such as the wet technique should be avoided. Ultrasound techniques while reducing recovery time and fluid loss carry a small risk of causing thermal damage.

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Cosmetic Surgery in Greece
A guide to plastic surgery regulations in Greece

Organizations

The Ministry of Health and Social Cohesion decides on overall health policy issues and on the national strategy for health.

The Greek (Pan-hellenic) Medical Association (PHMA) represents the professional interests of phyisicans with Greece. It is currently working to create an online register of qualified members. The PHMA is divided into regional chambers and a doctor must register with the local chamber in which they are to practice.

The Hellenic Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery is the main society for plastic surgeons in Greece and is directly affiliated with the European Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.

Education

The length of training including practical experience for a doctor in Greece is 6 years. The title awarded is Ptychion latrikis.

Plastic Surgery is a recognized specialty with a minimun of 6 years additional training as a registrar. This consists of 2 years of General Surgery, 3 years Plastic Surgery, and 2 single semester courses chosen from: Gynecology, Urology, Otorhinolaryngology, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Children Surgery and Thoracic Surgery. Speciailists are issued a "Titlos Iatrikis Eidikotitas" (certificate of medical specialisation) on compeletion of their period as a registrar.

Continuing education is promoted by Greece's hospitals and professional societies and is seen as an essential ethical responsibility.

Complaints

Compliants against public institutions may be addressed to The Greek Ombudsman, an independant authority. Complaints may be addressed to the Greek Medical Association to be judged by its Ethical Committee.

A physician may also be judged by the ethical committee of any professional society to which they belong, though these will only have the power to censure or suspend membership within the scope of the society - not their activities in general practice.

Storage and Access to Medical Records

As a member of the Council of Europe, Greece is governed by the rules of that organization on the protection of personal data. Greece has its own independant Data Protection Authority. Access to data is also regulated by a number of laws, allowing individuals to access data held on them by public institutions.

Doctors have responsibilities to their patients beyond these regulations. They should co-operate with resonable requests for medical records as quickly as possible. There is a responsibility to store patients data safely and to store it for the period of time of its relevance.

Resources

The Ministry of Health and Social Cohesion
17, Aristotelous Street, GR-101 87 Athens, Greece
email: info@mohaw.gr, minister@mohaw.gr
website: http://www.mohaw.gr/
contact: Mr. Dimitris L. Avramopoulos, Minister of Health and Social Solidarity

The Hellenic Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
website: http://www.hespras.gr/
check membership: Here

Pan-hellenic Medical Association
website: http://www.pis.gr/
email: Pisinfo@pis.gr
local chambers: http://www.pis.gr/medassociations
recognised specialties: http://www.pis.gr/press/inter210208eng.html

Data Protection Agency
website: http://www.dpa.gr/ (in Greek)