Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving your body contours and proportion Liposuction may be used to reduce localized fat deposits of the: Thighs, Hips and buttocks, Abdomen and waist, Back, Chest area, Upper arms, Inner knee, Cheeks, chin and neck, Calves and ankles.

In some cases, liposuction is combined with other procedures such as a facelift, breast reduction or abdominoplasty.
Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. It is also not an effective treatment for cellulite or loose saggy skin.

There are several different different types of liposuction

Liposculpture is an adaptation of liposuction which employs the use of much finer cannulae allowing the removal of fat in a more controlled manner. It causes less trauma to the tissues it can be used closer to the surface of the skin allowing much better controlof the position and volume of fat removed.

This is a technique in which a solution is injected into fatty areas at the time of surgery. The fluid is a mixture of intravenous salt solution, local anaesthetic and adrenaline (a drug that constricts blood vessels). This allows the fat to be removed more easily and reduces pain and blood loss following the operation.

This technique requires the use of a special cannula that produces ultrasonic energy. As it passes through the areas of fat and the energy liquefies the fat making it easier to remove. Although not widely used it can improve the effectiveness of liposuction in fibrous areas of the body, such as the upper back or the enlarged male breast.

You should not take aspirin or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Brufen or Nurofen for two weeks before your surgery. These drugs increase the risk of post operative bleeding and have an adverse effect on bruising.

If you smoke, you will need to stop smoking for two weeks before surgery and a week afterwards. Smoking reduces the blood flow to the skin and can prevent healing.

If you are taking the contraceptive pill, ideally this should be stopped and alternative method of contraception for one cycle before the operation in order to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.

Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions and generally requires a general anaesthetic. First, sterile liquid solution is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through these incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion.

The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.

The small incisions usually result in fine scars that are barely visible once healed. At the end of the procedure an elasticated garment is worn over the area treated. The garment is worn for 4-6 weeks after surgery to maximise compression and remodelling of the skin. In most cases liposuction requires one night stay in hospital.

Complications following liposuction in fit patients who are non smokers and not too overweight are uncommon.

• Some irregularity in the skin is occasionally seen. it is not uncommon to see some irregularity in the contour of the skin caused by swelling immediately after the operation. Occasionally this may take 2-3 months to resolve.
• Infection is a theoretical risk of any operation but extremely unusual after liposuction.
• Bruising and some swelling is to be expected after liposuction. Some people bruise more easily and so will see more discoloration in the skin than others.
• There is small risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the deep leg veins) after liposuction. Mobilising after surgery can lower its risk and this will be encouraged following your operation.