Liposuction Surgery

Liposuction is the removal of excess fatty tissue to reshape the body. It is not designed as a treatment for obesity and people who fall into this category will need advice on diet and exercise. In women, liposuction can be carried out to most areas of the body, commonly the abdomen, hips, buttocks, inner and outer thighs, knees and double chin.
At your consultation with a Nurse Counsellor, your BMI (body mass index) will be assessed. This is a measurement of your total fat content in relation to your size, and gives a base line for the Cosmetic Surgeon to use to determine your suitability. There are physiological limits as to the quantity of fat that can be removed at any one time and hence very overweight people would not benefit, and are therefore not appropriate candidates for liposuction.

The procedure for liposuction (fat removal)

• This operation is can be performed under a general anaesthetic, or local anaesthetic with sedation often as a day case.
  
  
• Your Cosmetic Surgeon will advise what is required for your procedure.
  
• The procedure can take between one - two hours.
  
• A very small incision is used to insert the cannula to extract the fat and sometimes this is closed with a stitch or dissolvable suture.
  
• Read more about the Liposuction procedure
  

What to expect from liposuction?

• Full results are not seen until around six weeks after surgery
  
• You can start to see results of the surgery once the swelling has subsided.
  
• Any scarring is minimal as the incisions are small and will fade over time.
  
• Read more about what to expect from having the Liposuction procedure.
  

Recovery from liposuction

• There is often some bruising and swelling to the areas treated, however this should subside after one - two weeks.
  
• It is advisable to take one - two weeks off work, depending on the nature of your job.
  
• You will be required to wear a support garment for up to 6 weeks post-operatively. 
  
• Read more about recovering from Liposuction