Liposuction

Fat Removal

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the UK.

To be a good candidate for liposuction, you must have realistic expectations about what this kind of cosmetic surgery can do for you. It’s important to understand that liposuction can enhance your appearance and self-confidence but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently.

Before you decide to have any kind of cosmetic surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your plastic surgeon.

The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have deposits of excess fat in certain areas.

You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in your expectations.

For this kind of cosmetic surgery, your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.

Your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.

Preparing For Your Liposuction

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications.

Also, while you are making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and, if needed, to help you at home for a day or two.

The Surgery

The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area to be treated, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anaesthesia and the technique used.

There are several liposuction techniques that can be used to improve the ease of the procedure and to enhance outcome.

Liposuction is a procedure in which localised deposits of fat are removed to re-contour one or more areas of the body.

Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out. The suction action is provided by a vacuum pump or a large syringe, depending on the surgeon’s preference.

If many sites are being treated, your surgeon will then move on to the next area, working to keep the incisions as inconspicuous as possible.

Liposuction: After Surgery

To control swelling and to help your skin better fit its new contours, you may be fitted with a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a few weeks.

Your surgeon may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.

Don’t expect to look or feel great right after surgery. Even though the newer techniques are believed to reduce some post-operative discomforts, you may still experience some soreness, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness. Pain can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.

Your New Look

You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body quite soon after surgery.

However, improvement will become even more apparent after about four to six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided.

After about three months, any persistent mild swelling usually disappears and the final contour will be visible.

If your expectations are realistic, you will probably be very pleased with the results of your surgery.

You may find that you are more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with your body.

And, by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you can help to maintain your new shape after the liposuction procedure.