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.

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.

  • In planning for your surgery:

    • Consultation
      You will meet Dr Law in consultation. The consultation will begin with a conversation about your goals and expectations. Please feel free to bring any questions you may have. The procedure will be explained in detail - covering what it can and cannot achieve. Dr Law will also discuss the surgical process, possible risks, and complications. To ensure you feel fully informed and confident in your decision, a second consultation will be arranged before proceeding with surgery. This gives you the opportunity to ask additional questions.

    • Smoking
      Please stop smoking as soon as you are able to, as smoking increases the risk of complications from surgery. If possible, please stop smoking at least six weeks before your surgery.

    • You will be given instructions ahead of time regarding fasting, medications, and other practical information.

    On the day of surgery:

    • You’ll meet with a nurse, who will assess your health.

    • The anaesthetist will meet you and confirm your anaesthesia plan to make sure the procedure goes as smoothly and safely as possible.

    • Dr Law will see you to confirm the procedure again, take photographs, and draw markings on your skin to guide 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 instructions to follow after your surgery. Please also note that recovery can vary between individuals. But in general:

    • Immediately after liposuction, you may have:

      • Fluid leaking from your incisions (this is normal, and there will be dressings over the incisions).

      • A small drainage tube for a few days (occasionally).

      • A compression garment to reduce swelling and help your skin adjust to your new shape.

      • Antibiotics to prevent infection.

      • Some pain, bruising, swelling, or numbness is expected. Medication will help, but you might feel sore and stiff for a few days.

    • You should start walking as soon as possible to reduce swelling and prevent blood clots.

    • Most people feel better after a week or two.

    • Depending on your work, you can usually return to work within a few days to weeks.

    • Stitches either dissolve or are removed in about 7–10 days.

    • Avoid strenuous activity for about a month.

    • Swelling and bruising mostly go down after 3 weeks, but some swelling can last up to 3 months or more.

    • Dr Law will arrange check-ups to monitor your recovery.

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: You can have reactions to anaesthesia. However a fully qualified anaesthetist will speak to you before surgery to ensure your anaesthetic will be as safe and smooth as possible.

    • Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions to materials such as sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions are possible. We will ask you about any known allergies beforehand to help avoid exposure during surgery.

    • Infection: You will be given antibiotics at the start of your surgery (as you go to sleep), as well as a course of oral antibiotics afterwards, to help minimise this risk. 

    • Bleeding and haematoma (blood clot): A bit of bleeding onto the dressing is common and usually stops on its own. There is a very small risk of blood clots, requiring drainage.

    • Seroma (fluid collection): A pocket of fluid can occasionally collect in the body after surgery. To help prevent this, a drain is sometimes inserted at the time of surgery, and  remains in place for a few days. If a seroma does develop, it can usually be treated with drainage in the rooms.

  • Liposuction is generally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. However, as with any surgery, there are risks. These increase when:

    • Treating many areas at once.

    • Treating large areas.

    Specific complications include:

    • Blood clots or fat clots.

    • Skin damage or irregularities (like bagginess or uneven contours). While liposuction removes fat cells, it does not tighten the skin. If your skin has poor elasticity - due to age, genetics, or past weight changes - it may not shrink smoothly after the fat is removed. This can lead to loose or sagging skin. If this occurs, other procedures like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or arm lift (brachioplasty) may be recommended to remove excess skin and improve your body contour.

    • Skin numbness.

    • Scarring (usually small and well hidden).

    Serious but rare risks include:

    • Organ injury.

    • Lignocaine toxicity (from anaesthetic fluid).

Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, Sydney

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