Liposuction

What is liposuction?

Liposuction, also called lipoplasty, liposculpture, or suction lipectomy, is a cosmetic procedure that removes stubborn fat from specific areas of the body. Common areas include the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, knees, arms, chin, cheeks, and neck.

While it’s not a replacement for diet or exercise, liposuction can help shape your body when certain fat deposits don’t respond to lifestyle changes.

What should I consider before seeking liposuction?

Liposuction can improve how you look and feel, but it’s important to have realistic expectations. It won’t give you a “perfect” body or replace healthy habits. The best results are seen in people who are a normal weight, with firm, elastic skin, and have isolated areas of excess fat.
Your age isn’t a major issue, but older skin may not be as firm, which can affect the final result.
People with certain medical conditions may face higher risks during and after surgery.

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Procedure information

Liposuction may work for you if you have a lot of body fat in specific places but otherwise have a stable body weight.
You may be a good candidate for liposuction if:
- You maintain a stable and healthy weight.
- You are generally healthy.
- You have good skin tone and quality. After liposuction, the skin molds itself to the new contour of the treated areas. If you have good skin tone, the skin can look smooth. If you have poor skin tone, the skin in the treated areas can look loose.
- You do not smoke, or can stop smoking around the time of surgery and wound healing.
- You have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve.
Before your surgery, you’ll have a detailed consultation with Dr Law to discuss your goals, the procedure, and any risks. Clinical photos will be taken, and a second consultation will be arranged to answer further questions. It’s important to stop smoking at least six weeks before surgery to reduce risks. You may need blood tests and other health checks, and will receive personalised instructions to prepare you for surgery.
Most liposuction is done under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep during the operation. For smaller areas, local anaesthetic and sedation may be used. Your heart and lungs will be monitored throughout the procedure and afterwards.
Broadly speaking, liposuction involves the following:
- Fat is removed through tiny cuts using a thin tube (called a cannula) connected to suction. The cannula breaks up and removes fat from under the skin.
- You’ll receive fluids through a drip to replace fluid lost during the procedure and to help prevent complications.
- Dr Law uses a fluid solution (containing salt solution, local anaesthetic, and a drug to reduce bleeding) which she injects into the fat before liposuction. This helps to remove fat more easily, minimise blood loss, and reduce pain and bruising.
Dr Law will give you personalised aftercare instructions. After liposuction, expect some fluid leakage, swelling, bruising, and soreness. You will have a compression garment and may be prescribed antibiotics. Start walking early to help recovery. Most people feel better in 1–2 weeks and return to work within days to a few weeks. Avoid strenuous activity for about a month. Swelling can take up to 3 months to fully settle. Dr Law will schedule follow-ups to check your progress.

FAQs

- Liposuction can remove large amounts of fat, and in some cases, up to 10 litres may be taken out during a single procedure. However, this total volume includes both fat and fluid, and for safety reasons, some patients will only tolerate a smaller volume removal. Therefore, the exact amount of fat removed will depend on your body type, the areas being treated, and your overall health.
- When you weigh yourself on the scales, you likely won’t lose much weight, since fat cells don’t weigh very much. In fact, you might temporarily gain a little weight due to water retention. However, you’ll likely notice a clear change in body shape and size, especially in the treated areas after the swelling subsides.
- You’ll see some changes soon after surgery, but your final results will be clearer after 4–6 weeks, once most of the swelling is gone.
- You’ll most likely see the intended effect around 3 months after surgery.
- Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise will help keep your new shape.
- Not really. The number of fat cells in your body is set by puberty. Liposuction removes some of those cells from the treated area, so even if you gain weight later, the treated areas won’t grow as much as others.
- However, if you gain a lot of weight, you’ll notice it everywhere, including in the treated areas. That’s why maintaining a healthy weight is important.

Risks & complications

All surgery carries risks and may include:
- Drug reactions.
- Allergic reactions.
- Infection.
- Bleeding and haematoma (blood clot).
- Seroma (fluid collection).
Liposuction is generally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. However, like all surgery, there are some risks, including:
- Bruising or swelling.
- Irregularities in skin shape or contour.
- Numbness or changes in skin sensation.
- Scarring (usually small and well hidden).
- Organ injury (extremely rare).