Liposuction

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure used to remove unwanted body fat.

It involves sucking out small areas of fat that are hard to lose through exercise and a healthy diet. It's carried out on areas of the body where deposits of fat tend to collect, such as the buttocks, hips, thighs and tummy.

The aim is to alter body shape, and the results are generally long-lasting, providing you maintain a healthy weight.

It works best in people who are a normal weight and in areas where the skin is tight.

 

What does it involve? 

Liposuction is usually carried out under general anaesthetic, although an epidural anaesthetic may be used for liposuction on lower parts of the body.

The surgeon would mark on your body the area where fat is to be removed. They would then: 

• inject this area with a solution containing anaesthetic and medicine, to reduce blood loss, bruising and swelling
• break up the fat cells using high-frequency vibrations, a weak laser pulse or a high-pressure water jet
• make a small incision (cut) and insert a suction tube attached to a vacuum machine (several cuts may need to be made if the area is large)
• move the suction tube back and forth to loosen the fat and suck it out
• drain any excess fluid and blood
• stitch up and bandage the treated area

This usually takes 1 to 3 hours. Most people need to stay in hospital overnight.

Recovery 

If you had a general anaesthetic, someone would need to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours.

How long it will be before you are able to return to work will depend on a number of factors, such as the type of job that you do and how much of your body was treated.

The same will apply to how long it will be before you are able to drive. You should discuss this with your surgeon.

The bandage or corset can be taken off while you shower.

You will need to avoid strenuous activity for up to 4 to 6 weeks (but walking and general movement should be fine).

The results of the procedure are not always noticeable until the swelling has gone down. It can take up to 6 months for the area to settle completely.

After about a week: Stitches would be removed (unless you had dissolvable stitches).

At 4 to 6 weeks: You should be able to resume any contact sports or strenuous activities you'd normally do.