Liposuction Surgery
About Liposuction Surgery
For a lot of people losing weight, toning up and achieving the figure they want requires a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise, but some can be left with stubborn pockets of fat that no amount of exercise or dieting can shift.
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!
Typical problem areas that can be treated with liposuction surgery include:
- Arms
- Inner and Outer Thighs
- Stomach (or Abdomen)
- Hips
- Knees
- Chin
Liposuction surgery can be performed on any area of the body and the technique is often used as part of other cosmetic surgery procedures such as the tummy tuck, breast reduction and male chest reduction.
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; Vaser Liposuction and Laser Liposuction.
BENEFITS OF HAVING LIPOSUCTION SURGERY*
- Increased self confidence
- Motivation to pursue a healthier lifestyle
- Ability to have wider choice of clothes
- Feel more in proportion
THE PROCEDURE FOR LIPOSUCTION SURGERY
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.
*Liposuction results and benefits vary and are very different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed.
IS IT RIGHT FOR ME?
CHOOSING TO HAVE LIPOSUCTION SURGERY
There are many reasons why people choose to have liposuction surgery:
- Stubborn areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise.
- A disproportionate figure - evident in women who are particularly pear-shaped and tend to store fat in the hip area, giving rise to a lack of self confidence and embarrassment
- A 'kick-start' into a more controlled eating or exercise regime.
- By removing areas of unwanted fat, this is often all that is needed to motivate and encourage a healthier lifestyle
WHO SHOULD HAVE LIPOSUCTION
The ideal liposuction candidate is at, or slightly below, their target weight, but with discreet resistant deposits of fat that so far have not responded to an appropriate diet and targeted exercise regime. Liposuction must not be thought of as an operation to lose weight, as the weight of the aspirated fat is very small in relation to total body weight. However, by targeting specific well-defined deposits of fat, clothes will fit better, and the figure is more in proportion which may give the appearance of significant weight loss*.
*Liposuction results and benefits vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE SURGERY?
You may be advised to lose some weight prior to your surgery to give you the best result to a particular area. At your Cosmetic Surgeon consultation you will need to discuss your expectations - the results will be far more successful if this is agreed with your Surgeon beforehand.
If you are a smoker, or take aspirin or any other medication, your Cosmetic Surgeon will wish to discuss this with you at your consultation. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will advise you when you are to discontinue and/or resume these activities.
THE DAY OF YOUR LIPOSUCTION SURGERY
Your Cosmetic Surgeon will visit you in your room and draw marks around the areas to be treated. He will also obtain your final consent and answer any last minute questions you may have. The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic, or local anaesthetic with sedation often as a day case, taking one - two hours. A very small incision is used to insert the cannula to extract the fat and sometimes this is closed with a stitch or dissolvable suture. When you wake up from your anaesthetic you will have a support garment applied. You will be offered painkillers and may be given antibiotics.
GOING HOME AFTER LIPOSUCTION SURGERY
Your Cosmetic Surgeon will discharge you. You will be offered painkillers and may be given antibiotics. You will need someone to accompany you/collect you to drive you home.
RECOVERY FROM LIPOSUCTION SURGERY*
It is completely normal to experience swelling, bruising and soreness to the area after liposuction surgery but this should subside one to two weeks after the procedure. However, the full results of the surgery are often not seen until six weeks after surgery when the area returns to normal and the incisions have fully healed. Because the incisions made are so small, any scarring will be minimal and will fade quickly over time, leaving you with smooth skin in the treated area. Your surgeon will advise you on when you can commence normal daily activity and exercise, but you will normally be asked to take one to two weeks off work to recover. You will be required to wear a post-surgery support garment to help keep the treated area supported and protected.
*Liposuction results and benefits vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
It is important that your decision to have a Cosmetic Surgery procedure is considered carefully. There are many points that should be considered before deciding to have any type of Cosmetic Treatment or Surgery.
There are also some possible risks, as with all surgical operations, which your Cosmetic Surgeon will talk through and explain to you at your consultation, answering any questions you may have. This is your opportunity to discuss your intended surgery in order that the Cosmetic Surgeon can ascertain your expectations as to what can realistically be achieved.
Our nurses advise you consider the following things before your surgery:
- Child care and post surgery activities including sleeping arrangements
- Have necessary post-operative garments
- How long will the effects of treatment keep me away from my usual activities?
- At what stage will I be able to judge the results of treatment?
- How long do the results last?
- When can I return to work?
At The Harley Medical Group our aftercare is second to none. You will have your own specially trained cosmetic surgery nurse to guide you through your procedure and aftercare. In fact with The Harley Medical Group you are looked after for life.
Our Cosmetic Surgeons are among the most skilled, qualified and experienced in the Cosmetic Surgery field and our fully qualified Cosmetic Surgery Nurses are specially selected for their expertise and approachability.
*Liposuction results and benefits vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed.
REAL LIFE STORIES
Liposuction Real Life Stories
Read real life Liposuction stories from our patients. And if you book a free consultation, we can show you many more from our hundreds of Liposuction success stories.
Well I've now had my procedure and am grinning like a Cheshire Cat, I feel absolutely fantastic!! I went on my first shopping trip last week and for the first time absolutely LOVED it!!
When I woke up and saw what terrific and neat job he did, I cried. I am forever indebted to him - God works through this man’s hands!!
*Liposuction results and benefits vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed.
Before and After Photos
Liposuction - BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS:
TIP: Drag the slider bar left and right to view Before & After Photos
*Please note that these images have been provided by our surgeons/patients who have allowed us to use them and have not been altered or photoshopped in any way.Liposuction results and benefits vary and are different for every individual. Specific results cannot be guaranteed.
Click through below to see more before and after photos of Liposuction performed by our experienced surgeons.
Prices
Liposuction Prices
| Liposuction 1 area | £3,090 | £3,390 |
| Liposuction 2 areas | £3,750 | £4,050 |
| Liposuction 3 areas | £4,410 | £4,710 |
| Liposuction 4 areas | £5,370 |
All prices quoted are complete, there are no hidden extra costs.
We understand finance availability can sometimes be a barrier to undergoing a Cosmetic Surgery procedure, with manageable payments, we can provide a feasible solution to suits your needs. We have a range of finance options available to help you pay for your procedure, ask at your Free consultation and your counsellor will be happy to take you through these.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much is liposuction?
At The Harley Medical Group we know it’s natural for one of the first questions asked to be ‘how much does liposuction cost’? The cost of the your liposuction procedure depends on several factors:
- The number of areas treated
- Whether you are a day case or have an overnight stay - your surgeon will discuss this with you
- The type of liposculpture undertaken i.e. traditional, vaser of laser
Traditional liposuction prices start from £3,090 (day case, one area), and the price quoted at your surgical consultation is complete, with no hidden costs, and include your compression garment.
We understand finance availability can sometimes be a barrier to undergoing lipo, which is why we provide bespoke liposuction finance packages, with manageable payments, to suits your needs. Please ask for more information at your free, no obligation consultation.
What is liposuction? How is it performed?
Liposuction surgery is a cosmetic procedure to remove small areas of unwanted body fat. Lipo is performed on areas of the body that are prone to fat deposit build-up such as the stomach, thighs, hips and arms.
‘How is liposuction done’? Is a common, and understandable, question. Liposuction is performed either under general anaesthetic or under local anaesthetic with sedation. A small incision in the area being treated will be made by your surgeon, a thin plastic tube called a cannula is then inserted. The cannula is attached to a powerful vacuum device which removes the fat quickly and efficiently.
Your surgeon will take you through the process step-by-step during your consultation.
Are liposuction results permanent?
During liposuction surgery fat cells are permanently removed from the treated area to create a new body shape, fat cells that are removed by liposuction do not grow back. This means that the results are more or less permanent if a healthy lifestyle, including a good diet and exercise. is maintained.
If a moderate amount of weight is gained following liposuction then the figure will simply be a larger version of the new body shape. However, there is evidence that if there is a more significant increase in weight after fat removal the body will redistribute any excess fats between the remaining cells. For example if lipo surgery was performed on the stomach and there was considerable subsequent weight gain, the stomach would remain relatively flat but fat cells in the thighs and flanks may increase to compensate.
On which areas can you have liposuction?
Liposuction is generally performed on any part of the body that is prone to fatty deposits. The post popular body areas for liposuction are:
Thighs (inner and outer) - the most common area of the thigh to have liposuction is on the inner thigh to address the complaint of the inner thighs rubbing together. We often recommend considering having liposuction to the inner knee for symmetrical reasons. Liposuction to the outer thigh is often performed along with liposuction to the hips and flanks.
Calves - liposuction to the calves is generally performed on the inner calves around the knee area. Calves are a notoriously difficult area to treat as much of the bulk is caused by muscle rather than fat. in addition liposuction around the calves can change the profile of the entire lower leg. However, subtle liposculpting can create a curve from the calf to the ankle creating a tapering effect.
Flanks (also known as ‘love handles’) - this is the area found on the lower back above the buttocks. Liposuction for love handles are a very common problem area for both men and women as there are very few exercises that work this area thereby burning the excess fat deposits. Hips and flanks are often treated together.
Hips - the hips are a difficult place to target with exercise alone. Liposuction to the hips has become increasingly popular following the growing trend for figure hugging clothes. For many liposuction removes small pockets of stubborn fat creating a more streamlined silhouette.
Face, neck and chin - liposuction to the face and neck removes excess fat deposits to create a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance, providing a more subtle amd natural than a full face lift with fewer scars. We often recommend pairing liposuction to the face and neck with facial skin tightening and skin peels to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Arms (also known as bingo wings) - arms are one of the most visible parts of the body, which is why liposuction on the arms is a popular procedure with women. As we age arms can be prone to excess fat and loose skin, when liposuction to the upper arm area is combined with skin tightening the results can be an overall thinner more youthful appearance.
Stomach - even with exercising it can be difficult to get a flat stomach, particularly following pregnancy, which is why liposuction to the stomach and waist is our most popular areas for liposuction surgery. Depending on the type of lipo undertaken the stomach results can vary from a flattened stomach to an intricately sculpted and defined look.
Some areas of the body are only treated with vaser liposuction or promax laser liposuction due to the size of the area or level of definition required.
Are liposuction results permanent?
During liposuction surgery fat cells are permanently removed from the treated area to create a new body shape, fat cells that are removed by liposuction do not grow back. This means that the results are more or less permanent if a healthy lifestyle, including a good diet and exercise. is maintained.
If a moderate amount of weight is gained following liposuction then the figure will simply be a larger version of the new body shape. However, there is evidence that if there is a more significant increase in weight after fat removal the body will redistribute any excess fats between the remaining cells. For example if lipo surgery was performed on the stomach and there was considerable subsequent weight gain, the stomach would remain relatively flat but fat cells in the thighs and flanks may increase to compensate.
So the answer to 'how long does lipouction last'? is for the treated area it is essentially permanent, but if significant weight is gained after the procedure other fat cells in teh body will increase to compensate.
How much weight is lost with liposuction?
We are often asked is liposuction surgery good for weight loss and how much weight is lost with liposuction? At The Harley Medical Group we think it is very important to understand that lipo surgery is not a weight loss tool. Liposuction should only be used to treat resistant areas of fat that healthy eating and exercise alone cannot remove.
The follow-up question is often how much fat can be removed? This depends entirely which part of the body is being treated and how much fat there is to be removed. Please be assured that your surgeon will remove enough fat to get the ideal results.
Are liposuction results immediate?
Significant fat loss will be noticeable immediately following a liposuction procedure, and these results will continue to improve as the swelling goes down.
There will be considerable swelling, which is managed with a specially designed compression garment, for the first week or two following the procedure, as the swelling subsides more dramatic results will be discernable.
There is then gradual improvement until final results are evident, approximately three or four months after surgery.
Is Liposuction dangerous?
All surgical procedures carry some degree of risk and liposuction is no exception.
However, if performed by a specialist cosmetic surgeon trained in liposuction and liposculpture procedures, and is performed within a fully equipped hospital, fat removal surgery it is widely regarded as safe.
If the surgeon is not specialist trained there is an increased risk that an internal organ is punctured by the cannula causing post-operative complications.
Long-term risks are related to weight gain. Following the removal of fat cells an increase in weight can cause your body to store the new fat in a different location, this new fat can grow deep inside your body and around your organs, such as your heart or liver.