Liposuction

Enhance your body image and reshape your contours.  Liposuction gives you a more slender body form and your self confidence back.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction, also known as liposculpture, is a process to remove excess localised, fatty deposits which have defied exercise or diet.  These areas of stubborn fat can be located on the hips, thighs, buttocks, upper arms, chin, cheeks, neck, chest, abdomen, waist, back, calves and ankles.  

Liposuction literally removes the fat and reshapes the contours of the area treated to produce a more slender body form.  After liposuction, many people report an enhanced body image and greater self confidence. 

Liposuction does not replace the need for exercise and a healthy diet, and it cannot remove cellulite (orange peel skin). It is also not a solution to obesity.  Its effects are considered permanent though if you don’t have significant weight fluctuations following surgery. 

Several Liposuction techniques* have been developed over the years and you will need to find out which suits you best.  Generally, it is a highly-successful intervention that allows people to get back to their routine within three days to a week.  It is performed under general anesthetic but local anesthetic may be used if you are only having small areas treated.  Liposuction can be carried out with other cosmetic surgery procedures such as a face lift, breast reduction or tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).

See also:

*SmartLipo Aspiration for specific details on laser technique liposuction.  This section will give you general information on liposuction, and the other techniques regularly used.

Why you might consider Liposuction

A good candidate for liposuction is someone who has repeatedly tried to shift stubborn fatty deposits to no avail despite trying sensible exercise regimes and following a healthy diet.  Fat build ups in certain areas of your body can also be a hereditary characteristic.  

Anyone considering liposuction should be ideally over 18 years, so that they are better able to have mature, realistic expectations of their goals and the likely results of their surgery.  Age is not a factor as such.  Older people with less elastic skin may however find the benefits of liposuction somewhat reduced.

Ideally too, you should be in general good health, apart from the excess fatty deposits you carry, and preferably be a non-smoker (or be prepared to refrain from smoking before and immediately after the operation). 

You are a good candidate for liposuction if you:

• have tried successive regimes of dieting and exercise but failed to reduce localized fatty deposits
• see yourself as having excessive fat in localized areas, which is out of proportion to your overall body mass, frame and figure
• are not obese and are in general good health, apart from the localized, excess fatty deposits
• are not planning to lose excessive weight post op (it is important to tell your surgeon about any diet or exercise regime you are planning). 
• Have good skin condition and elasticity – this aids by reducing the possibility of sagging skin pockets where fat is removed.

Liposuction has a high rate of success in removing, permanently, stubborn fatty deposits, so long as post-operative instructions are followed over the long term. 

But how you consider your body image after liposuction will be determined by your pre-surgery expectations.  And liposuction can only remove a given amount of fat per area treated so it may not produce the ‘ideal’ body image you have in mind. 

Patients who have tried other methods to reduce fat – such as exercise programmes and suitable diets  - may be more satisfied with their results, physically and psychologically. It is wise to understand the limitations of liposuction. 

Liposuction does not:

• Remove or reduce ‘orange skin’ cellulite-induced dimples
• Prevent excess fat and lax skin caused by significant weight fluctuations in the future.
• Cure obesity

The Consultation

It is important at consultation with your surgeon that you establish your aims for undergoing liposuction.  You need to explain clearly what physical and any psychological effects you expect to gain from the procedure. 

Importantly, you will need to talk about your diet and any exercise regimes, your general health and well being, and possibly too any hereditary aspects which might underlie the cause of the fatty deposits you wish to remove. 

There are various liposuction techniques, so your surgeon will assess your wishes and the nature of the localised fatty deposits in order to establish which method is best suited to you. 

Be candid throughout the consultation and honest about any emotional issues relating to your proposed liposuction.  As with all cosmetic procedures, it is important you think through the implications of undergoing liposuction and its effects on your well being, both immediately and longer term. You will need to be clear about the after care required and what you can do to retain your enhanced body image. 

What to expect from the surgeon

Be prepared to supply information on and/or discuss:

• Your expectations of the surgery
• Any medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Any previous surgery
• Any family history that may be relevant such as hereditary characteristics of body frame, instances of obesity, and so on 

During the consultation, your surgeon is likely to:

• Assess your general health
• Evaluate any health conditions
• Examine the localised fatty areas and draw on your body to indicate areas to be treated. 
• Discuss the likely results of your surgery
• Discuss the value of and any complications possible with liposuction
• Take photographs for medical records
• Talk about the type of anesthetic used, its effects etc

You may be asked in preparation for surgery to:

• Take or stop certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Have certain lab tests or further medical evaluation
• Refrain from smoking in advance of surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Questions you should ask

It is important that you are fully informed of the after care, any possible complications and the likely results of your surgery.  You will also need to know how the procedure is carried out – this is particularly important as there are various liposuction techniques possible.  Ask too about what incisions are made and where any scarring will be.  Below is a checklist of some key questions to ask:

• How will the liposuction be performed?
• Where are incisions made and why?
• How do I best prepare for the operation
• Do I need assistance in post-operative care?
• What results can I expect?
• What side effects or complications may occur?
• What discomfort will I have? 
• How will the area treated look immediately post op (bruising, swelling etc) and in the longer term, over six months to a year?
• Are there any activities or environments I should avoid while I recover?
• Following the operation, how much exercise can I take and when can I start?  
• What other cosmetic procedures can I consider in conjunction with liposuction?
• What instructions should I follow after the operation?