Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes localised deposits of fat (pockets of fat that sit in one specific area) from beneath the skin using a thin tube and suction.

During the operation, a surgeon makes one or more small cuts in the skin and inserts a narrow hollow tube called a cannula (a small metal probe). The cannula is moved back and forth to loosen the fat cells, which are then drawn out through a suction device connected to the tube. The surrounding muscles, nerves, and blood vessels are not removed — only the fat layer just below the skin.

Liposuction is used to reshape specific areas of the body where stubborn fat does not respond to diet or exercise. It is a body-contouring tool, not a weight-loss treatment. Doctors consider it for people who are close to a healthy body weight but have isolated fat deposits that affect body shape or, in some cases, cause medical problems.

• Stubborn fat on the abdomen (belly), flanks (sides of the waist, sometimes called 'love handles'), or lower back
• Excess fat on the thighs, buttocks, hips, or knees
• Fat deposits on the upper arms
• A double chin or fatty neck area (submental fat)
• Gynaecomastia — enlarged breast tissue in men caused by excess fatty tissue
• Lipomas — benign (non-cancerous) lumps of fatty tissue under the skin
• Lipodystrophy syndrome — a condition where fat is distributed unevenly across the body

Liposuction is generally not suitable for everyone. Doctors typically advise against it in the following situations:

• People with significant obesity who need to lose a large amount of weight overall
• Those with loose or poor skin elasticity (the skin's ability to snap back), as results may look uneven
• People with serious heart, kidney, or circulation problems that increase surgical risk
• Anyone with active skin infections or open wounds near the planned treatment area
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Like all surgical procedures, liposuction carries recognised risks; your surgeon will discuss which of these apply to your specific situation.

• Swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness in the treated area — very common in the weeks after surgery
• Uneven contours or lumpy skin (contour irregularities) if fat is removed unevenly or skin elasticity is poor
• Fluid accumulation (seroma — a pocket of fluid under the skin) that may need to be drained
• Infection at the incision sites, which is treated with antibiotics
• Prolonged swelling that takes several months to fully resolve
• Changes in skin sensation, including patches of increased or reduced feeling, which are usually temporary
• Scarring at the small incision points
• Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, or muscles if the cannula moves off course
• Anaesthesia-related reactions, including allergy or breathing difficulties, depending on the type of anaesthesia used
• Rare but serious: fat embolism (fat particles entering the bloodstream and blocking a vessel), which requires urgent medical care
• Skin discolouration (darker or lighter patches) in the treated area, which may be permanent in some cases

Preparation for liposuction usually begins several weeks before the scheduled date. Your surgical team will give you personalised instructions, but the following steps are commonly part of the process.

Before the procedure, your doctor will typically ask you to:

• Stop smoking for at least several weeks beforehand, as smoking slows wound healing and raises anaesthesia risk
• Avoid alcohol for at least a few days before surgery
• Stop taking blood thinners (medications that slow clotting), aspirin, and certain anti-inflammatory medicines for a period your doctor specifies — never stop prescription medicines without medical guidance
• Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after the procedure, since you will not be fit to drive
• Fast (avoid all food and drink) for a number of hours before surgery if general anaesthesia or heavy sedation (medicine that makes you very drowsy) is planned — your team will tell you exactly how long

Your doctor will usually arrange pre-operative tests (checks done before surgery) to confirm you are safe to proceed. These commonly include:

• Blood tests to check clotting ability, kidney function, and general health
• A physical examination to assess the areas to be treated and assess skin quality
• Photographs of the target areas, taken for planning and comparison after surgery
• An ECG (electrocardiogram — a recording of your heart's electrical activity) if you are older or have heart-related concerns
• A review of all current medications and supplements

On the day of the procedure, the steps typically unfold as follows, though your hospital's routine may differ:

• 1. You change into a hospital gown and a nurse checks your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, and temperature).
• 2. The surgeon marks the skin over the areas to be treated with a pen while you are standing, so the natural shape of the fat deposits is visible.
• 3. Anaesthesia is given — this may be local anaesthesia (numbing only the treatment area), sedation, or general anaesthesia (making you fully unconscious), depending on the size of the area and your overall health.
• 4. The surgeon injects a tumescent solution (a large volume of fluid containing a local anaesthetic and a medicine that narrows blood vessels) into the fatty tissue. This reduces bleeding and makes fat easier to remove.
• 5. Small incisions (cuts, usually less than one centimetre) are made in inconspicuous places near the treatment area.
• 6. The cannula is inserted and moved in controlled strokes to break up and suction out the loosened fat.
• 7. Once the planned amount of fat has been removed, the incisions are closed with small stitches or left to heal on their own, and a compression garment (a tight elastic garment) is fitted over the area.
• 8. You are moved to a recovery area to be monitored as the anaesthesia wears off.

Recovery from liposuction varies from person to person and depends on how many areas were treated and how much fat was removed. Most people spend a few hours in the recovery area before going home the same day, though larger procedures may require an overnight stay. Swelling and bruising are normal and usually reach their peak in the first few days before gradually improving over several weeks to months.

• Wear the compression garment (the tight elastic band or vest fitted over the treated area) continuously for the period your surgeon recommends — usually several weeks — as it helps reduce swelling and supports the new contour
• Expect drainage of a small amount of blood-tinged fluid from the incision sites in the first day or two; your team will show you how to manage this
• Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and vigorous exercise until your surgeon clears you — light walking is usually encouraged within the first few days to help circulation
• Do not submerge the treated area in a bath, swimming pool, or the sea until the incisions have fully healed
• Keep follow-up appointments so your surgeon can check wound healing, assess the contour result, and remove any stitches if needed
• Contact your medical team promptly if you notice increasing pain, signs of infection (redness, warmth, pus, or fever), or sudden swelling in one leg, as these need prompt assessment
• Final results are usually visible only after swelling has fully settled, which can take several months; be patient with the healing process
• Maintaining a stable body weight through a balanced diet and regular activity helps preserve the results over the long term, as remaining fat cells in other areas can still enlarge