Frequently Asked Questions: Liposuction

How much can they remove in one session?

The amount of fat that can be removed in on session of liposuction is a contentious issue amongst medical professionals as there aren’t set regulations on the amount that can be removed at any one time and one surgeons “safe amount” will differ from the next.

Surgeons will generally discuss this issue with you beforehand and decide what they believe to be a safe amount on a case to case basis. They will tailor any liposuction procedure depending on a variety of factors including the weight and body shape of the patient, your general health and what they are hoping to achieve from surgery.

On average the maximum amount of fat removed in one session is less than 10lb’s. It is worth remembering that liposuction is not a weight loss surgery and is primarily used for targeting stubborn pockets of fat that a resistant to diet and exercise.

How many days will I need to take off work?

If the liposuction is performed when you are under local anaesthesia then in theory you should be able to go back to work 1 to 2 days post procedure. Of course this is not always the case and we recommend that you take the couple of days after the liposuction treatment to slowly build up back to your normal routine. This could include lightly exercising to rebuild your strength and recreating various physical scenarios you may find yourself in whilst working.

Immediately after surgery it is recommended that patients quietly rest for the first few hours and refrain from vigorous physical activities for 3 to 4 days following treatment.

How long will the procedure last?

The length of the liposuction procedure will depend entirely on the size of the area being treated and the amount of fat being removed. This can range from anywhere from 20-30 minutes to treat a very small pocket of fat to up to 2 hours for larger areas or when multiple areas are targeted in a single session.

You will be asked to not drink alcohol for 48 hours before surgery and for at least 48 hours following the liposuction. Patients must keep ample fluids in their system post-surgery to avoid becoming dehydrated and can resume their normal diet immediately.

What parts of the Body can be Effectively Treated?

The various areas of fat around the body that are usually targeted and removed using liposuction vary for men and women due the differing physical make-up of the male and female anatomy.
Women typically tend to target the outer and inner thighs, abdomen, hips, knees, arms, buttocks and breasts. Nowadays with more delicate techniques for successfully and safely targeting and removing fat the neck, jowls and even cheeks can be treated with minimal disruption to the nerves and muscles surrounding these sensitive areas.

Men (who tend to make-up around 20-25% of overall liposuction patients) commonly look to target the areas including the chin and neck areas, as well as the abdomen, male breasts and flanks of “love handles”.

What is the difference between Traditional Surgical techniques and the newer Liposuction treatments involving Laser and Ultrasound?

Traditional surgical liposuction treatments are slowly but surely becoming a think of the past due to modern techniques utilising developments in Laser and Ultrasonic technology making the procedure far less disruptive and safer whilst improving the end results.

More and more UK liposuction clinics are using Laser and Ultrasound assisted liposuction techniques instead of the more traditional techniques that employ injecting solutions that free up the fatty deposits making them easier to remove without disrupting the surrounding tissue.

Using Laser or Ultrasound techniques surgeons use thermal energy or ultrasonic vibrations respectively to break down the fatty areas which are subsequently removed using the traditional cannula method. These newer techniques also carry the bonus of being able to aide skin contraction once the fat has been removed.

What Aftercare will I have to Organise?

Firstly patients undergoing liposuction should organise someone to drive them home post procedure and should make sure they drink plenty of fluids after surgery to avoid becoming dehydrated. The medical professionals overseeing aftercare may recommend wearing a compression garment specifically designed to provide adequate pressure to the treated area and allow any solution to be drained effectively.

Patients may experience spells of dizziness and faintness the day following surgery and in some cases when the patient see’s blood or stands up too quickly. This can easily be relieved by simply taking a moment to lie down and rest until the dizzy spell passes.

In the case of tumescent liposuction the patient should expect a large volume of solution to drain which could last up to 48 hours after surgery. This can be easily managed with the use of compression garments and absorbent pads that will be provided post procedure. However it must be noted that leakages can and do occur and patients should take care when sitting or applying pressure to the treated area until these 48 hours have passed.

When tending to the wounds patients should always shower once or twice daily in warm water and wash the wounds gently with soap. These should then be carefully patted dry with a clean towel before the support garment and fresh pads are reapplied.

Finally patients may experience spells of pain, nausea, swelling, itchiness and even an elevation in their body temperature after surgery however the post-operative medical advisors will advise on the best way to treat these ailments in a consultation following surgery.

Does Liposuction Produce Permanent Results?

Once a patient has undergone liposuction treatment their resulting body shape should be more or less permanent and despite the patient gaining or losing weight following surgery the shape should remain. The fat cells are physically removed through the liposuction procedure and in theory should create a permanent physical change in the treated area as a result.
However if the patient does gain a considerable amount of weight post liposuction then it is common for fat to reform in the area previously treated with surgery. It must be noted that liposuction cannot tackle the aging process and the change in body shape and elasticity of skin that normally comes with age.

Are there any Possible Side Effects to Liposuction?

As with any invasive surgical procedure liposuction comes with its side effects and risk of possible complications. These will however vary from patient to patient and should be discussed with a medical professional before committing to liposuction treatment.

As mentioned before possible side effects that patients can experience post procedure can include:

• Swelling and Bruising
• Itching
• Nausea
• Numbness around the treated area
• Scarring

As with side effects the various complications that could occur throughout the procedure and recovery process vary greatly on a person to person basis and so potential liposuction patients should seek professional advice prior to surgery.

Complications of liposuction surgery can include:

• Damage to tissue and/or nerve endings
• Uneven results leaving a lumpy finish around the treated area