Liposuction

About treatment

People often struggle with stubborn fat pockets and unwanted lumps that are resistant to diet and exercise. Many turn to liposuction as a cosmetic solution to help combat these insecurities. Liposuction is a proven approach to fat reduction and body contouring. The surgery removes excess areas of fat and redistributes them to create a slimmer, more proportionate body shape. Whilst most popular among women, men can also undergo treatment. 

Who is this for

• Individuals with excess fat in the abdomen, butt, thighs, love handles, upper arms, back and neck

• Those within 30% of their ideal weight, with strong skin elasticity and good muscle tone

• Healthy people with no life-threatening or underlying medical conditions that can impair healing

• Non-smokers

• Individuals with a positive and realistic outlook for treatment

How to prepare 

Patients undergoing treatment are advised to stop smoking. You may also be asked to take certain medications or adjust your current medication. Consultation with your doctor will confirm what precautions are necessary for you. 

What to expect during the procedure 

The procedure can last between 2 to 3 hours. When having treatment abroad you may be required to spend 1 night at the clinic. 

• General anaesthesia is not normally necessary for treatment. Instead, you may receive a local anaesthetic and mild sedative. If large amounts of fat are being removed from multiple locations, general anaesthesia may be used for patient comfort. 
• The procedure begins by performing small, discreet incisions. This is done in a way to produce minimal scarring. 
• A thin hollow tube, known as a cannula, is inserted to loosen the excess fat. Once broken up, the fat cells are suctioned out using a surgical vacuum. 
• Depending on your objectives and personal autonomy discussed in consultation with your doctor, the surgeon may use assisted techniques to perform the liposuction. This can include heat-based, ultrasound, laser or water-jet assisted techniques. 
• Lastly, the doctor will close off the incisions using sutures. Drain tubes may also be used to drain any excess fluid and prevent infection. The sutures and drain tubes can be removed between 7 to 10 days after surgery. 

Taking care after treatment 

Patients may be given compression garments to wear for a few weeks following treatment. This works to control swelling and helps bond the skin to the new body contours. Even so, post-operative swelling is expected for several weeks. Patients will see most of their results after four weeks but it can take several months for swelling to fully dissipate. 

Be aware of the risks 

Liposuction is marked a medium risk surgery. The potential risks to be aware of include: 

• Bruising or worsened cellulite 
• Infection 
• Changes to skin sensation and nerves 
• Fluid accumulation 
• Irregular body contour or asymmetry 
• Subsequent surgery 

Success 

Majority of patients are satisfied with the results of liposuction. Paired with good health and general fitness the results of liposuction can be long-lasting. It is important to understand that if you gain weight after liposuction, the new fat may be distributed in different areas of your body than you were previously used to. This is because the fat cells have been permanently removed during treatment.