Liposuction Fact Sheet

The objective

Liposuction surgery removes unwanted and unevenly distributed fat deposits from parts of the body that diet and exercise has no impact on, often from the hips but also from the stomach, thighs, buttocks, back, arms, knees and ankles and other areas. However, it is not a solution to weight control.

The procedure

The operation is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic and takes about 1-2 hours, depending on how many areas of the body are treated. Sometimes local anaesthetic can be used if treating particular parts of the body.

The surgeon will insert a metal tube - cannula - through small incisions (1-2 cm) in the skin and will suck out the fat deposits with an attached vacuum pump. Most commonly, the technique will involve also injecting a fluid containing saline, anaesthetic and adrenaline to help reduce bleeding, swelling and bruising. This is tumescent (or ‘wet’) liposuction. Dry liposuction (no fluid) and ultrasound liposuction (using ultrasound waves to break down the deposits first) are two other variations.

There is a limit to the amount of fat that can be safely removed in one procedure - usually around three litres. Once the procedure is complete, the incisions are stitched.

The outcome

Following surgery, there may be swelling and bruising for up to one month and you will need to wear a compression garment. Deep bruising and lumpiness after surgery may take up to six months to disappear.

You will be able to leave the hospital the same day, although you will need a companion to take you home if you’ve had a general anaesthetic. You may need 1-2 weeks off work and avoid strenuous activity for up to one month, depending upon how much treatment you had.

It can take around six months to see the full results, but you can expect the treated areas to be more evenly distributed and proportionate to your shape, with lasting results.

The risks

All general anaesthesias carry associated risks, but complications particular to liposuction include infection and bleeding under the skin (haematoma). Scarring from the incision is a small risk.

One very rare but serious complication is that the fluid injection causes pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs), which causes breathing problems and can be fatal, or there may be an allergic reaction to the fluid. Depending on where the liposuction is performed, damage to the internal organs is a potential risk.

You may find that if weight is gained, fat is redistributed to different areas of the body.

You may not be happy with the result.

The costs

Costs depend on the amount of liposuction required. In the UK expect to pay around £2,000 - £5,300. Abroad, expect to pay from around £700 - £2,550 (Belgium) to around £2,650 - £3,550 (Tunisia).

The availability

Liposuction is widely available at most private cosmetic surgery clinics in the UK as well as abroad.

The popularity

This surgery is amongst one of the most popular for women (and some men, particularly for the abdomen and to treat gynaecomastia - fatty breast development) who have stubborn areas of fat that they feel make their bodies disproportionate, and can’t shift it regardless of how much they diet and exercise. It can also treat a benign fat tumour growth (lipoma).