Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure to remove unwanted fat and enhance how you look. This guide explains what liposuction is, whether you’re a potentially suitable candidate and how it works. We also discuss how you can use the PHIN website to find your private local consultant if you decide to go ahead with getting the work done.

What is liposuction?
What does liposuction do?
Am I a good candidate for liposuction?
How does liposuction work?
How long do liposuction results last?
Find your private consultant with PHIN
Sources

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes unwanted fat cells from different body areas. The goal of liposuction is to alter your body shape and cosmetic surgeons can use it in areas of the body such as your:

  • Stomach
  • Hips
  • Thighs
  • Bottom
  • Upper arms
  • Chin
  • Neck
  • Calves
  • Ankles

A traditional liposuction procedure involves fat removal with a special vacuum tool. Your consultant can perform it under general or local anaesthetic, depending on your needs and their expertise.

After your liposuction is complete, it’s typical to experience some pain, swelling and bruising. You may be provided pain relief medication to support your recovery at home and, in some cases, you may receive a compression garment to wear for a few weeks to help reduce swelling.

You may also need to take a few days off work before you feel well enough to return, and you must avoid strenuous activities for several weeks or until your consultant confirms it’s OK.

It can take a few weeks for the initial swelling to subside, so you won’t see your results immediately. However, over the coming months, you can expect to see a visible difference in the treated area.

What does liposuction do?

Liposuction helps to contour the body in certain areas by removing excess fat. Liposuction does not improve cellulite or dimpled skin, nor can it remove stretch marks. Unlike a tummy tuck, liposuction does not remove loose skin.

Liposuction removes fat but you it is not a weight loss procedure. Instead, it shapes the body by removing fat deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise.

Am I a good candidate for liposuction?

Liposuction will not work if you’re very overweight or have a body mass index (BMI) over 25. The procedure also cannot be performed if you are underweight. To be a good candidate for liposuction, you must be in good health and of average weight.

You must have realistic expectations of what liposuction can achieve. Your consultant will discuss what’s possible for your body during a consultation so you can feel confident the procedure will work for you.

How does liposuction work?

Liposuction works by sucking the fat from a specific area of the body. First, the surgeon will mark the area on your body where they’ll remove the fat. Then, they inject the area with anaesthetic to minimise pain.

Your doctor can use different types of liposuction to break up the fat cells before removing them:

  • Tumescent liposuction – uses injectable solutions
  • Power-assisted liposuction – the surgeon inserts a motorised cannula (a thin tube) into the area and its movement helps break up fat cells
  • Ultrasound-assisted or laser-assisted liposuction – an ultrasound or laser is applied to the area to break down fat cells before removal
  • Water-assisted liposuction – a water jet helps to dislodge fat cells

The doctor will make a small cut and insert the vacuum’s suction tube into the area. They’ll move the tube back and forth to help separate the fat so they can suck it out.

They’ll drain any excess fluid and blood from the incision, then stitch and bandage the area. The entire procedure can take anywhere from one to four hours, depending on the area’s size and how much fat they remove.

How long do liposuction results last?

Liposuction is a permanent cosmetic procedure and the results can last for years. However, some things can affect how long your results last.

Weight gain is the most significant reason for liposuction results that don’t last. When liposuction removes the fat cells from your body, some cells are left behind. This means they can grow and increase your body fat again if you do not change your diet or exercise habits.

It’s also important to remember that liposuction cannot stop ageing, so you can still develop loose skin in previously treated areas.

Find your private consultant with PHIN

Liposuction is an effective cosmetic procedure that may help you achieve your desired body shape. But, finding the ideal private consultant can be challenging.

With the help of PHIN, you can easily find someone nearby who meets your criteria.

Our easy-to-use search tool allows you to browse consultants by location, procedure and hospital. When it has populated your results, you can browse the profiles, read patient feedback and discover the potential fees involved.

When using PHIN to find your consultant, you can access the highest levels of medical care and support.

Don’t let the uncertainty of finding a private liposuction consultant hold you back – discover how the PHIN website can help you today.

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