Abdominal Liposuction


What is Abdominal Liposculpture?

Abdominal liposuction is not to be confused with a tummy tuck. Liposuction deals with the fatty deposits under the skin in certain areas of the body, whilst a tummy tuck generally deals with excess skin. That’s not to say that the two procedures can’t go hand in hand, and some people who have lost a lot of weight via liposuction and don’t have as much elasticity in their skin opt for a tummy tuck afterwards to complete the appearance of a smooth, firm abdomen.

Procedures for Love Handles Lipo

Most people opt for liposuction on the lower as opposed to the upper abdomen, as the appearance of ‘love handles’ or ‘muffin tops’ can be dealt with. Women have softer and less fibrous fatty tissue then men, making liposuction easier to perform on females. However, liposuction is proven to be popular with both sexes. There are various methods of liposuction, all shown to be effective and generally requiring local anaesthetic, thus reducing risks and complications that sometimes occur with general anaesthetic.

Tumescent liposuction involves a solution being injected into the abdomen to make the fat cells more turgid and easier to identify. The tumescent solution also numbs the area and minimises the occurrence of bleeding or swelling. A small incision is then made through which a cannula, a slender tube, is introduced. The cannula disrupts the fat cells making it easier to extract them by suction.

Power assisted liposuction is a similar method but uses a motorised cannula which vibrates through the fatty tissue. This makes it easier for surgeons to manoeuvre the cannula and results in more accurate fat removal from more precise locations.

Liposelection is the latest method which is becoming increasingly popular. It uses ultrasonic waves to destroy the fat cells without impacting or damaging the surrounding tissue. A small probe emits the ultrasound which emulsifies the fat cells whilst leaving nerves and blood vessels unharmed. The fat can then either be removed via liposuction or is left to be disposed of naturally from the body.

Results and Costs

It is important to discuss the procedure with your surgeon and understand it fully, whilst outlining exactly what you expect to get from abdominal liposuction. Liposuction can only target the fat and can not improve the appearance of the skin, including cellulite, or reduce sagginess if it is not caused by fat. The cost of abdominal liposuction can vary depending on how many areas are treated and on the discretion of the clinic you use. Generally, you can expect to pay a minimum of £2000 if a small area is being targeted, or up to £7000 for a larger procedure.