Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure used to remove or reduce localised fatty deposits, which will not respond to diet or exercise. Contrary to popular belief, liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, a method for losing weight or an alternative to a healthy lifestyle.

Liposuction is one of the most successful plastic surgery procedures, as the incisions are tiny and inconspicuous, the recovery is relatively quick, the complication rate low and the results mostly predictable and satisfactory. Liposuction is the same as liposculpture and is also known as suction assisted lipectomy. It is performed largely under general anaesthetic, although sedation and local anaesthesia may be used.

Who is Suitable for Liposuction Surgery?

Liposuction is best suited for healthy individuals who are around their ideal weight for height, and who have good quality, elastic skin. Although liposuction can tighten skin to a degree, it will not correct gross skin excesses. As a result, young patients fair better than older patients. Patients with more skin than fat excess usually require an excisional procedure (dermolipectomy), such as a thigh lift or tummy tuck to remove the excess skin.

In women, the most common areas treated with liposuction include the thighs, hips, buttocks and tummy, with the ‘saddlebag area’, ‘love handles’ and tummy all responding particularly well. Other areas which can be treated include the knees, calves, ankles, breasts, arms and neck. Liposuction may be also be used at the same time as breast reduction surgery. Although the inner thighs do not respond as well to liposuction, some improvement can still be achieved here.

In men, the most common areas treated with liposuction are the chest, tummy, ‘love handles’ and neck.

No specific diet or exercise programme is required prior to liposuction surgery although the closer you are to your ideal weight, the more satisfactory the outcome is likely to be.

What to Expect at the Initial Consultation

During your first consultation at New Victoria Hospital, your surgeon will ask you to tell him in your own words what it is that you wish to change about your appearance. It is important to be honest and forthright as surgery is always tailored to your specific needs and expectations. Do bear in mind, however, that it is not possible to achieve unrealistic expectations.

In addition, your surgeon will take a full medical history including any previous surgery, cosmetic or non-cosmetic, previous hospitalisation, chronic medical problems, medication and allergies, whether you smoke or not, the reasons for wanting the procedure and your goals and aspirations.

The examination will concentrate on your proposed treatment, but also assess your general fitness and suitability for surgery. Routine photographs will be taken.

Following the assessment, your surgeon will discuss all available options and formulate an operative plan, including type of surgery and anaesthesia to be used and cost. Any risks and possible complications will also be discussed with you.

It is important that you are clear what your surgery will entail. Well informed patients cope better with surgery and you have the right to ask any question you want and expect your surgeon to answer with honesty and without the use of jargon. Informed consent for surgery will also be required.

The Procedure

Where Does the Liposuction Treatment Take Place?

You to be admitted as an inpatient to New Victoria Hospital.

Your Consultant Anaesthetist will meet you prior to surgery. Liposuction usually takes one to two hours to perform and depending on your time of admission you may require an overnight stay in hospital.

What Can Go Wrong?

If performed by a fully qualified and accredited Plastic Surgeon in a proper operating theatre under sterile conditions on a relatively fit and healthy patient, liposuction is a safe procedure. In general, complications are rare. Liposuction is one of the safest procedures performed on a daily basis by plastic surgeons. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks and complications and these will be explained to you at your consultation.

Following Surgery

How Long Does it Take to Recover From Liposuction Surgery?

You should be almost pain-free immediately after the operation, but you will be given painkillers to control any pain over the next few days if required.

You should drink plenty of fluids and pass lots of urine for the first 24-48 hours following surgery, and although you should rest, you should try to stay mobile - sit in a chair or walk around a little. This not only helps to mobilise fluid and thus reduce pain in the areas treated, but also prevents the possible development of blood clots in the legs.

A pressure dressing is applied at the end of the operation. It is advisable for the pressure dressing to be worn continuously for three to six weeks, then just in the daytime for a further three weeks. It will help you conform to your new shape and keep swelling and bruising to a minimum. Taking Arnica, started on day two after surgery, will also help to reduce the bruising and swelling.

Do not expect to look or feel good immediately after surgery because of the fluid injected and fluid retention, you will actually be heavier following the liposuction. The areas treated will be swollen and sore - as if you have worked out too hard at the gym. It is not unusual to feel depressed in the days or weeks following surgery. Try to keep in mind that this is normal and will subside as you begin to look and feel better.

The wounds take about five to seven days to heal, and they will gradually fade over the next year. The stitches placed will be removed a week later. Bruising subsides quickly from day two or three following surgery and is usually mostly gone by 10-14 days after your liposuction operation, although some degree can persist for up to three weeks after surgery. Swelling follows a similar but slower course and can even persist for a few months. Healing is a gradual process, which varies from individual to individual.

Depending on the degree of liposuction you have and the job you do, you should be able to return to work after 1 week. Different people respond differently and some patients take longer than this, even up to 2 weeks. Plan to keep things quiet during this time.

Patients who fly in from abroad should wait at least seven to ten days before returning home.

Stretching and bending exercises can be started at the end of the first week following liposuction surgery but more strenuous activity should be avoided for up to four weeks after surgery. Again, people are different and when you should resume activity depends on the extent of your procedure and how you feel.

How Satisfied Can You Expect to be With the Procedure?

Liposuction is a highly effective technique for giving you a new body contour with very little scarring. The fat which has been removed from your body at the time of surgery is permanently removed. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle following surgery and your weight remains constant, your shape should remain the same, the bulges should not reappear and you should be satisfied with the procedure. Some patients elect to have a second procedure to remove more fat or to have some further shaping done.

Most patients are satisfied with the results of their liposuction - they feel more at ease with their bodies and more comfortable in a wider variety of clothes. As long as your expectations are realistic, you should be happy with your new shape.

Your surgeon can discuss the exact nature of your treatment, including procedure details, recovery times and any possible side-effects at a consultation. This will reflect your exact circumstances and needs. The information included here is provided for general guidance only.