What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure for removing pockets of fat in particular areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. Common areas treated by liposuction include the tummy, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, neck and upper arms. It is sometimes used as a treatment option for gynaecomastia (the development of breasts in men).

Liposuction involves the use of a cannula (a thin, hollow tube that is inserted below the skin through tiny incisions) to manually loosen and remove excess fat and create a nicer shape within the body area being treated. Suction applied through the cannula then removes the fat from the body using a special vacuum device.

It takes the surgeon between one to three hours to perform depending on the size of the treatment area(s).

Various kinds of anaesthetic can be used and the decision on which is best depends upon your preference along with the size of the areas to be treated.

For a small procedure, you only need to be in hospital for a few hours. However, if a large amount of fat is removed (or liposuction is combined with another procedure), an overnight stay is usually necessary.

What are the risks and side effects of surgery?

Complications are infrequent and usually minor. However, no surgery is without risk.

• There may be some discomfort along with swelling and bruising for a few weeks – the amount depends upon the number of areas treated. You may also feel numbness or increased sensitivity in the skin for a few weeks to months.
• An uneven appearance is possible as remaining fat settles into its final position.
• Other risks include bleeding, wound infection, chest infection and blood clots in the leg (known as a deep vein thrombosis) although these are all uncommon.

The overall results will be visible within two to three weeks and most of the swelling will have gone within six to 12 weeks. However, your shape will continue to improve over the next six months to a year.

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