Liposuction is a form of cosmetic surgery to reshape the body by removing body fat. This procedure should be performed by a specialist plastic surgeon and is not a weight-loss method.
What is liposuction?
Liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery that some people consider so as to improve the way they feel about the way they look. The procedure is not a weight-loss method. Liposuction changes the shape of certain areas of the body by removing fat from those areas. It is most commonly used for the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, arms, neck and under the chin, but also for the back, inner knee, chest, cheek, calves and ankles.
Is liposuction right for me?
Liposuction might be right for you if you have realistic expectations about the procedure, have tried to change your body shape with a healthy diet and regular exercise, and are in good health at the time of the procedure.
While people often feel pressured to have a certain look and body shape, liposuction might not be the solution. The best candidates for liposuction are people of normal weight who have firm, elastic skin but pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should speak to your GP before undergoing liposuction since your GP is best placed to help you manage your overall health.
Some people have liposuction at the same time as other cosmetic surgery procedures such as a facelift, a breast augmentation or an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).
What happens after a liposuction procedure?
After liposuction, you may wake up from the anaesthetic to find there is a thin tube draining fluid from the site of the surgery. This tube is called a canula and it is inserted through the skin to continue to dislodge and remove fat.
Whether you have this will depend on how much surgery you have had and which part of the body was involved. You will need a few days’ rest at home after liposuction. There will be dressings on the wounds and you may have to wear an elastic bandage or a compression garment for a while. You should expect to have pain for several days and your doctor will prescribe some form of pain relief medicine. Some people may need a short hospital stay after a liposuction procedure.
