Liposuction involves a number of tiny incisions (cuts) in and around the area to be treated. This is done either under a general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia (you are awake) with sedation. Your surgeon would have discussed this with you at your original consultation.

Liposuction may be carried out as a day case, which means that you can have the operation and go home the same day. However, for more extensive treatment, an overnight stay may be necessary.
Your surgeon can use several different methods and will discuss what the most appropriate technique is for you.
Wet or Super wet techniques the most common way of doing liposuction. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your surgeon will inject a fluid mixture containing a salty solution, local anaesthetic and adrenaline into the fatty area being treated. This helps reduce bleeding, bruising and swelling and makes it easier to remove the fat cells.

A cut will be made in your skin and a thin metal tube called a cannula will be inserted. This will be attached to a vacuum pump or a syringe and will be moved about vigorously within the fatty tissue to suck out the fat and the fluid. For larger areas, more than one cut may be made to reach all the fatty deposits that are being treated.

After liposuction, the treated area will be firmly strapped with bandages or elasticised tape. You may be fitted with an elasticised support garment. This will help to reduce swelling and help your skin mould to your new shape.

After liposuction

You will be given painkillers to help relieve any discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off.
It is important to do deep breathing exercises to help reduce the risk of developing a chest infection. Your doctor or nurse can show you how to do these.
Before discharge, your nurse will give you advice about caring for your stitches, hygiene and bathing. You will also be given an appointment to have a wound check.

Recovering from liposuction

Once home, you may take more painkillers if needed, as advised by your surgeon or nurse.
You will usually need to wear the elasticised garment or bandages for up to six weeks, depending on your surgeon's advice. They can usually be temporarily removed to be washed and for bathing
Your surgeon will give you advice about resuming your normal activities. You may need to avoid strenuous exercise for up to a month, but walking and gentle exercises are encouraged. If you only had small areas treated, you may only need a few days off work. For larger operations, you may need to take 7-14 days off.
It may be several months before you can see the full results of your operation as the swelling can take a long time to completely settle down.

It helps if you have skin with good elasticity, which is more likely to 'shrink' down to the smaller volume of fat beneath.

Making an Informed Decision

All cosmetic procedure require careful consideration. And it is sensible to discuss the options with your GP, who may be able to recommend reputable surgeons.
Side-effects are the unwanted but mostly temporary effects of a successful procedure. For example, feeling sick as a result of the general anaesthetic. Anyone having liposuction can also expect:

• Bruising, which can be painful and usually takes about a month to disappear
• lumpiness or swelling, which may not completely settle for up to six months
• scars, typically 1-2 cm long, pink and noticeable at first, which should become finer after a few weeks
• thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the veins - not the same as thrombosis) around the inside of your knee and inner part of your upper thigh if these areas are treated, which should settle after a few weeks
• swollen ankles

If you have large areas treated or are prone to anaemia, you may need to take iron tablets for about a month after the operation.
Complications are unexpected problems that can occur during or after the procedure. Most people are not affected. The main complications of any operation are bleeding during or soon after the procedure, infection and an abnormal reaction to the anaesthetic. It's also possible for a blood clot to develop in a vein in the legs - a deep vein thrombosis or DVT.
Specific complications of liposuction are rare but can include:

• Seromas: the development of fluid-filled areas under the skin, which may need to be drained with a needle
• Fat embolism: fat getting into one of the blood vessels, which could travel in the veins and cause a blockage in the lungs
• Altered sensation: numbness or abnormal sensation in the treated area that can last for several months, but can be permanent
• damage to internal organs, which may require surgery to repair and can occasionally be fatal
• serious disruption of the fluid balance of the body due to fluid being injected and sucked out, which in very rare cases can cause breathing problems and be fatal
• Keloids: unusually red or raised scars (called keloid scars) which some people have an inherited tendency to form
• an unexpected allergic reaction to the fluid used for wet liposuction
• Uneven surface of skin or lumps
• Asymmetrical results
• Loose skin (empty bag appearance)
The chance of complications depends on the type of procedure that is being performed. Generally speaking, if you are having large volumes of fat and fluid removed during the operation, the risk of complications is higher. Your surgeon will explain how the risks apply to you.

Further information

• British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons
020 7831 5161
www.bapras.org.uk

Liposuction Examples - Before and After Photos

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