Why do people have liposuction?
Most patients feel unhappy about a certain part of their body and are anxious to reshape it. Liposuction can be used to sculpt your body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas. In women the most common areas for liposuction are under the chin, arm and breast area as well as on hips, stomach and thighs. Men commonly choose the treatment for their waists and for the area under the chin.

Ultimately most people who have liposuction are looking to improve their appearance and boost their self-confidence by reshaping their bodies. Liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures in the world and has been carried out since 1974.

Realistic expectations
You must have realistic expectations about what liposuction can achieve for you. It will not change your personality or make people treat you differently. Everyone is individual and liposuction will not transform you into someone else.

It is critical that you spend time thinking about what you want to achieve from surgery and talk about your hopes with your surgeon.

Everyone’s skin is different and the surgeon will discuss what you can expect to achieve. The skin’s elasticity changes as you grow older and the results will be different in younger people who have tighter skin. The ideal patient for liposuction is of normal body weight with ‘pockets of fat’.

What happens during consultation?
The surgeon will examine your medical history and discuss the areas of your body that you want to be treated. You will then be asked how you want your appearance to be changed and the surgeon will advise you if your expectations are realistic.

There are a variety of different liposuction procedures on the market ranging from ‘wet’ techniques to ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty. The surgeon will advise which is best for you. The surgeon will want to know why you want a specific look to gain a complete understanding of what you want from the surgery. It is important that you are completely honest.

Getting the most out of your consultancy
Often in cases where clients are unhappy with the results of surgery it is because they did not discuss their expectations thoroughly or were afraid to talk about the outcome or risks.

You have to make an informed decision before signing the consent form so make sure you ask plenty of questions. You want to feel relaxed and confident and completely understand what will happen during surgery.

You may want to know:

• About the surgeon’s qualifications.
• How many operations of your procedure are carried out each year.
• How you prepare for the surgery.
• What realistic results can be expected and when.
• How long the results will last.
• About the side-effects and possible complications.
• How long it will take to recover.
• About the extent of scarring and how it will change in time.
• What happens if anything goes wrong.

Preparing for surgery

• Avoid alcohol, aspirin, garlic and food oils a least a week before surgery as they can cause excessive bleeding.
• Do not eat or drink anything six hours before your general anaesthetic.
• The surgeon and anaesthetist needs to know your medical history and if you are on any medication.
• You will be advised of any health checks or X-rays required before your procedure.
• Prior to surgery you will be met by your surgeon who will assess you and discuss your queries.
• Try and give up smoking a couple of weeks before your procedure as it interferes with healing processes.
• Bring an overnight bag for your stay and leave valuables at home.

What happens during liposuction?
This depends entirely on the type of procedure you require. However, in all cases you will be placed under general anaesthetic and be treated as an inpatient. The liposuction technique that is best for you will be discussed with your surgeon. How long it takes depends on what is required.

• Wet liposuction is the most common technique. This involves an injection of adrenaline and other components such as local anesthetic into the area to be treated. The mixture helps minimise bruising and improve healing and makes it easier to remove fatty tissue. A small incision is then made in the area to be treated and a tube (known as a cannula) inserted. The fat is then vacuumed out either by a syringe or pump and the incision closed.
• A variation on wet liposuction is the traditional method where a cannula and vacuum technique are used without the need to inject in fluid first. Another possibility is ‘tumescent’ liposuction where larger volumes of fluid are injected to treat specific areas before vacuuming.
• Ultrasound liposuction is used to remove very firm fatty deposits usually in the back or chest. Sound waves are used to break up fat deposits before they are removed. This procedure is known to have a larger element of risk than wet liposuction and should be discussed thoroughly with your surgeon.

Whichever technique is chosen the areas that have had liposuction will be strapped carefully to reduce swelling. In many cases an elasticated support garment must be worn.

After surgery

• Your first day is likely to be spent in recovery room bed being cared for by the nursing staff. Your surgeon will visit you and tell you when you can leave.
• Enjoy plenty of rest and avoid any energetic activities that raise your blood pressure.
• You should not drive for two days after the anaesthetic.
• Avoid alcohol, aspirin, garlic, food oils and smoking. All of these can interfere with the body’s healing processes.
• Any discomfort, bruising or swelling should be treated with a mild analgesic like Paracetamol. Do not use aspirin.
• You will not look or feel great after the operation, however as the soreness subsides your new contours will be revealed and you will soon feel better.

Road to recovery

• Continue taking painkillers if you need them.
• Depending on the surgeon’s advice, elastic dressings or bandages may have to be worn for several weeks.
• If the surgeon recommends that you take medication such as antibiotics, make sure that you complete the course.
• Your treated area is likely to feel sore during the first couple of weeks, but the sensation will soon settle.
• The surgeon will advise you when you can return to strenuous physical activity although light exercise is encouraged.
• Depending on the extent of the procedure it may several months before the full results of the surgery can be seen.
• By regularly exercising and eating sensibly you will be easily able to maintain your new shape.
• Avoid sunbathing for at least six weeks.
• It is important that you contact your doctor if you suffer from an abnormally high temperature, severe pain that is not treated with Paracetamol or if you experience heavy bleeding.
• If you are in doubt about any of the post operative effects speak to your surgeon.

All surgery carries an element of risk
Most people believe that the benefits of this commonly performed surgery far outweigh the risk. However before you sign the surgery consent form you should be aware of any possible complications and side effects associated with this procedure.

Complications associated with any type of surgery include problems healing, the danger of infection and the potential formation of clots that may be life-threatening. Excessive bleeding or bleeding under the skin, known as a haematoma, may require a return visit to the surgery. Some patients may also have an allergic reaction to anaesthesia. In a minority of cases there may be a problem with fluid loss or an excessive build up of fluid that needs to be drained.

Deciding on liposuction
It is important that you take your time to make an informed decision about liposuction surgery. Complications are extremely rare as this is a very common operation, however you must consider any potential outcome.

• After a successful operation clients may feel sick due to the anaesthetic. Bruises formed by the procedure may take several weeks to heal.
• There will be scars left by the incisions, but these will be located in ‘hidden’ areas of the body and should heal to a more natural skin colour in time.
• Some swelling may take up to six months to settle and clients may experience some sensations of numbness.
• Some people may have an allergic reaction to the liposuction fluid.
• Clients of liposuction should also be aware that there is a chance that their skin surface may not be completely smooth. In some cases it may hang loosely around treated areas and require extra surgery to be corrected.
• Rare cases of ultrasound treatment have been known to damage skin and nerves.

Complications are rare and depend greatly on individual circumstances such a person’s health and skin type or the extent of the procedure. Your surgeon will be able to explain how the risks apply in your circumstances.