Liposuction FAQs – Q&A about Fat Removal Surgery
is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat from unwanted areas of the body. Liposuction could suit you if you are at or near your ideal body weight. Our specialist plastic surgeons have years of experience performing all types of liposuction to help people achieve a more contoured, sculpted physique. Here, we answer your most asked about all of liposuction surgery.
RELATED:
LIPOSUCTION OVERVIEW
is a minimally invasive body-contouring procedure that removes excess fat. The involves sucking out the fat using a cannula connected to negative pressure suction. Liposuction is beneficial for treating both smaller and larger body areas.
RELATED:
Liposuction involves the removal of stubborn fat using a to suck out the fat. Liposculpture is better suited to treating smaller areas to achieve definition and a sculpted or contoured look.
Liposuction is designed to remove subcutaneous fat, which is the type of fat found beneath the skin. Liposuction is not designed to remove visceral fat, which is found around the internal body organs.
Liposuction can significantly improve your body shape and physique. Once you have reached your target weight, liposuction can help sculpt your body. It is useful for treating several body areas including the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, back, hips, arms and breasts. Micro liposuction can be used to remove fat from beneath the chin.
The main types of liposuction include:
involves the injection of a large amount of tumescent fluid into the area where fat is to be removed. The contains a local (lidocaine) and a vasoconstrictor (epinephrine), which helps minimise blood loss and numbs the area to reduce pain. The solution causes fat cells to become swollen and firm, making them easier to remove. Tumescent liposuction is less invasive and less painful than traditional .
uses a specialised cannula attached to a motor that vibrates back and forth to break up fat, making it easier to remove. PAL is thought to be less traumatic to surrounding tissues, leading to less pain, bleeding and swelling. It is typically used to remove fat from the abdomen, hips, thighs, back and upper arms.
uses ultrasonic energy to break up and remove fat. The ultrasonic energy is directed at fat cells, them to release their contents, which are then suctioned out. VASER is considered more precise than traditional liposuction and is often used to target smaller, more delicate areas. It also causes less trauma to surrounding tissue, in less pain, swelling and bruising.
RELATED:
, also known as laser lipolysis, uses a laser to melt and remove fat through small incisions in the skin. The heat from the laser can also cause the skin to tighten, potentially improving skin tone and texture.
RELATED:
is a body-contouring procedure used to remove isolated pockets of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. It is not a weight-loss method and is not intended to make a person skinny.
Liposuction permanently removes fat cells, but it is not a permanent solution for weight management. Fat can return if the patient does not maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a diet and exercise.
RELATED:
Yes, it is possible to get liposuction more than once. However, liposuction is best suited for people who have reached a stable weight and have isolated pockets of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise.
In some cases, liposuction can lead to loose skin, especially in areas with poor skin elasticity. Factors such as age, genetics and overall skin health can the likelihood of loose skin after liposuction.
RELATED:
Typically, removes between two and five litres of fat, although this can vary depending on the area being treated and the patient’s individual circumstances. Removing more than five litres of fat during a single procedure is generally considered unsafe.
Tummy liposuction can be an effective way to remove stubborn fat deposits and improve the contours of the stomach, but it is not a weight loss procedure and should not be used as a substitute for healthy choices.
Alternatives include diet and exercise (the most natural approach), weight management medications, and bariatric surgery for those with significant excess weight. Non-surgical fat reduction treatments are also available but produce less dramatic results than liposuction.
IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR LIPOSUCTION
Yes. Centre for Surgery a mandatory reflection period between your consultation and your surgery date. This ensures you have had sufficient time to consider your decision fully, ask any remaining questions, and feel completely confident before proceeding. Your surgeon will confirm the specific timeframe at your consultation.
The best candidates for liposuction are generally:
Liposuction is not suitable for everyone. People with certain conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or blood-clotting disorders, may not be good candidates.
You will need to be a minimum of 18 years old before having a consultation at Centre for Surgery. The best age for liposuction varies from person to person, but it is typically recommended for adults in good overall health who have reached a stable weight.
It is generally recommended to wait at least six months to a year after a before liposuction, to allow the area to fully heal and settle. is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or planning to have more children.
LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURE
can be performed under general anaesthesia or, in selected cases for smaller areas, under local anaesthesia with sedation. General anaesthesia is most commonly used for larger procedures or when multiple areas are being treated simultaneously. Your will discuss the most appropriate option for you at your consultation.
The duration of a liposuction procedure depends on the number of areas being treated and the amount of fat being removed. A single-area procedure typically takes one to two hours. Treating multiple areas in the same session may take two to four hours or longer.
can be an effective way to remove stubborn fat deposits from the stomach. It targets subcutaneous fat — the layer of fat immediately the skin. It does not address visceral fat (fat around the organs).
RELATED:
Liposuction is not intended to remove . Stretch marks are caused by damage to the underlying layers of skin, not by excess fat. In some cases, after liposuction, the skin may appear smoother and tighter, but this does not guarantee improvement in stretch marks.
Liposuction is primarily designed to remove stubborn fat deposits and improve body contouring. While it can improve the appearance of cellulite in some cases, it is not specifically intended to treat or eliminate it. In some cases, liposuction may even exacerbate the appearance of cellulite if the skin does not retract adequately.
RELATED:
LIPOSUCTION RECOVERY
Recovery from liposuction can be uncomfortable, but pain levels vary depending on the and the extent of the procedure. The most common symptoms include swelling, bruising and soreness in the treatment area. Pain medication is typically prescribed to help manage discomfort, and most people can return to normal activities within one to two weeks.
RELATED:
Yes. A compression garment is an essential part of your recovery after liposuction. It applies gentle, even pressure to the treated areas, which helps to reduce swelling, minimise bruising, encourage the skin to contract and conform to your new contour, and support the healing tissues. You will be fitted with a compression garment before leaving the clinic on the day of surgery. Most patients wear it continuously for the first two weeks, then for a further two to four weeks during the day, as advised by your surgeon. Removing it too soon or not wearing it consistently can lead to prolonged swelling, fluid accumulation and suboptimal contouring results.
Swelling is most noticeable in the first few days after the procedure and decreases over the following weeks. Most people can return to normal activities within one to two weeks, but it may take several weeks or even months for swelling and bruising to fully subside and for the final results to become .
RELATED:
Liposuction involves making small incisions in the skin to remove fat. The are usually made in inconspicuous areas, such as natural skin creases, to minimise the appearance of scars. Liposuction scars are very small — often just a few millimetres — and heal well with proper care.
Follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions for wound care carefully. Leave steristrips or in place for the recommended duration. Avoid tight-fitting clothing that may catch on the incisions during healing. Once incisions have healed, silicone gels and medical-grade tape can help improve scar appearance. Avoid or minimise sun exposure to improve scar healing.
RELATED:
LIPOSUCTION RESULTS
Liposuction permanently removes fat cells from the area, but it does not prevent the fat cells from enlarging if the patient gains weight. The results are long-lasting but not permanent in that sense. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine is essential to preserve your results.
Liposuction is not expected to affect pregnancy or future pregnancies. However, pregnancy can cause changes to the body that may affect the results of the procedure, so women who are considering liposuction should wait until after they have completed their family.
LIPOSUCTION RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
Liposuction, when performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon, is considered safe. Some of the risks associated with liposuction include:
RELATED:
LIPOSUCTION FINANCING
is typically considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by the NHS. Exceptions exist when liposuction is performed as part of reconstructive surgery after weight-loss surgery, or when a medical condition such as lipodystrophy causes abnormal fat deposits that affect the patient’s health and wellbeing.
Centre for Surgery offers a full range of finance options through Chrysalis Finance, including 0% APR for eligible applicants.
RELATED:
Whether liposuction is worth it is a personal decision that depends on an individual’s specific goals, expectations and circumstances. can be an effective way to remove stubborn fat deposits and improve body contours, but it is not a weight-loss procedure and should not replace healthy lifestyle choices.
RELATED:
Liposuction surgery at Centre for Surgery
Centre for Surgery is considered the leading plastic surgery clinic in London and is home to some of the most experienced cosmetic surgeons in the UK. We are a specialist centre for liposuction surgery and perform hundreds of liposuction procedures each year at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone. If you would like to book a consultation, call us today on or complete the contact form below.
Call or fill in the form below. A patient coordinator will call you within one working day to book your consultation with the consultant best matched to your .
Your enquiry is treated in strict confidence. We respond within one working day, Monday to Saturday.
Primary Sidebar
Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering plastic and cosmetic surgery through GMC-registered specialist surgeons. Our expertise spans facial procedures and , , for men, and body contouring procedures such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and natural-looking results sit at the heart of everything we do.
Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s iconic , offering plastic and surgery led by GMC-registered consultant .
Marylebone
London
W1U 6RN
Mon – Sat, 9am – 6pm
Saturday consultations available
