Medically Reviewed May 2022, by Mr Sankar - Chief Medical Officer for The Harley Medical Group
Liposuction Surgery
For a lot of men and women, losing weight, toning up and achieving the figure they want requires a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise. However, some can be left with stubborn pockets of fat that no amount of exercise or dieting can shift, this is where liposuction can help.
Liposuction surgery, also known as fat removal surgery, is designed to help remove these areas of fat and reshape particular areas of the body – remember it is not designed to be a quick weight loss tool!
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is not a weight loss solution, it is instead a form of cosmetic surgery which removes unwanted body fat using suction as well as being able to contour the body to a more desired shape through targeted removal. The procedure is commonly carried out alongside other body reshaping procedures such as tummy tucks and breast reductions – you can talk to your expert consultant about the best options for your desired results.
The procedure can take 1-3 hours depending on the size and number of areas targeted. This will also affect recovery time and how long it will be until you are able to drive and return to work. Strenuous activities and contact sports will need to be avoided for 4-6 weeks post-op and after this time, you will likely be able to resume your normal activities. Having liposuction will result in bruising and swelling around treated areas and results will be visible around 6 months post-surgery after this it reduces.
Why Liposuction Surgery may be right for you?
If you are unhappy with your appearance after a diet and exercise regime has not led to the weight loss you want, liposuction could help you achieve your desired results. The most common benefits include:
- Less unwanted body fat
- Improved self-confidence
- The ability to wear clothes which you previously couldn’t
- A better proportioned body shape
The best results are achieved on people who are of a normal weight for their height (BMI analysis will be done during free consultation) and on areas of the body where the skin is tight.
At The Harley Medical Group we always aim to ensure that our patients get the right procedure for them which is why we offer traditional Liposuction as well as Vaser Liposuction
Liposuction Surgery Cost
Liposuction costs vary from patient to patient depending on the number of areas which are to be targeted. All our surgery prices are inclusive of your overnight stay in hospital and all necessary aftercare.
A general guide to our liposuction costs based on number of areas can be found below, however these prices can vary dependent on individual patients’ requirements.
| Surgery | Price From |
|---|---|
| Liposuction 1 Area | £4,850 |
| Liposuction 2 Areas | £5,675 |
| Liposuction 3 Areas | £6,500 |
| Liposuction 4 Areas | £7,400 |
| Liposuction 5 Areas | £8,200 |
A free no obligation consultation will allow you to discuss the procedure and your options in detail. Our qualified liposuction experts will be able to advise you on the right type of procedure for your desired body results and give you an exact cost, allowing you to make an informed decision.
Understanding Liposuction
Before undergoing liposuction, it is important to understand all the stages so you know what is required of you pre and post-surgery. You should also understand the different types of liposuction surgery we offer so you can make an educated decision on which you would prefer.
Liposuction Procedure
Liposuction or fat removal surgery is performed either under general anaesthetic or under local anaesthetic with sedation, and is often treated as a day case, meaning you will not have to stay in hospital overnight. The procedure usually takes between one and two hours to complete depending on the area being treated and how much fat is being removed. Your surgeon will make a small incision in the area being treated before inserting a thin plastic tube called a cannula. The other end of this cannula is attached to a powerful vacuum device which removes the fat quickly and efficiently.
You will need to book in for a free consultation where a nurse will assess your BMI (body mass index) to ensure the procedure is suitable for you. If you are very overweight it is likely that you will not be suitable for liposuction as there are physical limits to the amount of fat that can safely be removed from the body. Liposuction is a procedure best suited for body sculpting rather than weight loss.
Types of Liposuction Surgery we Offer
There are two different types of liposuction surgeries offered by our expert surgeons. During your free consultation they will be able to help advise which would be best for you, depending on your desired results. The options include:
- Traditional Liposuction: This can be performed on most areas of the body including the abdomen, hips, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, knees, and chin. The fat cells in the targeted area of the body are broken up, a small incision is then made before inserting a thin plastic tube called a cannula. The other end of this cannula is attached to a powerful vacuum device which removes the fat quickly and efficiently. The procedure can take 1 to 3 hours depending on the size and number of areas targeted.
- Vaser Liposuction: Vaser liposuction, also known as Liposculpture, is a minimally invasive procedure, using state-of-the-art ultrasound technology to precisely target and remove areas of unwanted fat.
Why choose The Harley Medical Group for Liposuction?
As with all of our treatments and cosmetic surgery procedures, only the best liposuction experts will carry out your liposuction surgery. We are a trusted cosmetic surgery provider and are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). The CQC and HIW are executive non-departmental public bodies which are part of the UK government’s Department of Health and Social Care. As part of our commitment to quality care, we have a Clinical Governance Board which is composed of medical experts and surgeons who work with us. All our liposuction surgeons and procedures are vetted by the Clinical Governance Board.
As well as working with us, many of our expert surgeons also hold substantive posts in the National Health Service (NHS) in cosmetic and other specialities. As our patients and the service they receive is of the utmost importance to us, you can be certain that all of our liposuction surgeons are the best in their field and will deliver the results you want.
The Harley Medical Group has performed thousands of liposuction procedures across our 16 clinics around the UK, including Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds and our flagship clinic on Harley Street in London, and regularly receives excellent feedback from patients.
What to expect before your Liposuction surgery?
Cosmetic surgery can be a life changing decision and we’re here to help you make the right one. You will always begin your liposuction journey with a free consultation between you and one of our friendly patient advisors. During this appointment your patient advisor will assess your BMI (body mass index) to ensure the procedure is right for you. If you are very overweight, the procedure will likely not be suitable as it is best used for body sculpting rather than weight loss.
Getting liposuction surgery requires some preparation, you may be advised to change your diet and lifestyle to ensure you maintain your target weight before surgery. During your initial free consultation your patient advisor will be able to provide you with further details of the preparation needed dependent on your surgery plan.
Your next consultation appointment will allow you and your surgeon to decide whether liposuction is the right option for you and which procedure type will be best. Your surgeon will also be able to answer any of your other questions about the procedure and be able to confirm the cost of your potential surgery.
Liposuction recovery and aftercare explained
As liposuction is a type of invasive surgery, a full recovery does take time. Following proper aftercare advice is important to help aid recovery and ensure you are left with your desired results.
After your liposuction procedure, you will be fitted with either a support corset or compression bandages. This is done to help reduce the post-surgery swelling and bruising, the corset will need to be worn consistently for up to three weeks post-op.
Recovery does vary from person to person, how long it will be until you are able to drive and return to work will depend on the number of areas targeted and the amount of fat removed.
Strenuous activities and contact sports will need to be avoided for 4-6 weeks post-op. After this time, you will likely be able to resume your normal activities.
Having liposuction will result in bruising and swelling around treated areas, you may also experience some numbness. Noticeable results will be visible around 6 months post-surgery after the swelling reduces.
A healthy lifestyle needs to be maintained post-surgery to ensure the results are permanent, weight gain can still occur, so it is important to keep up a healthy diet and exercise routine to maintain your desired results.
The potential risks of Liposuction
As with any surgery performed under general anaesthetic there are potential risks which should be considered before undergoing liposuction. These are:
- Organ puncture (this is especially a risk if your surgeon is not specially trained and experienced)
- Weight gain post-lipo can cause fat to deposit in different locations, potentially and dangerously around organs
- Lumpy and uneven body as the fat settles
- Numbness in the treated area which can last for months
All surgeries carry risk, which is why it is so important to only undergo surgery with a trusted expert surgeon regulated by the QCC. Our highly vetted liposuction surgeons are all very skilled and experienced in their field, so they can fully explain the procedure and its associated risk to you in detail during a free consultation.
Who will carry out your Liposuction?
From your very first Liposuction free consultation with one of our Patient Advisors, you will have a committed nursing team to talk you through liposuction surgery and to provide all the support you need. All our medically led team of expert Surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Cosmetic Surgery Nurses are NMC registered. Patient care is our number one priority, and that is why we insist on a minimum of two pre-surgery consultations, a full assessment of your current health and medical history, and ongoing post-operative care.
We are a trusted cosmetic surgery provider and are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). The CQC and HIW are executive non-departmental public bodies which are part of the UK governments Department of Health and Social Care.
Our Hospitals
At Harley Medical Group, we provide the highest level of patient care at both our clinics and hospitals. We are members of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons (BAPS) and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). All our hospitals have medically led teams of expert Surgeons, with years of experience, and all are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).
Our hospitals are trusted liposuction providers and are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). The CQC and HIW are executive non-departmental public bodies which are part of the UK governments Department of Health and Social Care. Our hospitals include: