Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgical procedures. It is the process of removing fat from areas of excess. This is most popular for areas such as the abdomen, flanks, and thighs.

The process involves making very small incisions inserting a cannula which we attach to suction. The cannula we then oscillate back and forth and remove the fat. This process we undertake in different directions within the affected area to feather the fat removal and decrease the chance of skin contour irregularities.

Liposuction we commonly undertake in areas where there is fat excess rather than skin excess however we can undertake it with techniques involving skin excision most especially in the lower abdomen.

Liposuction is the surgical treatment for fat excess however, it does not constitute a method of weight loss. It often gives the optimum results if undertaken with a regime of sensible controlled dietary intake and regular exercise. Liposuction is mostly used to treat those areas of fat excess that have been stubborn to lose.

The effects of liposuction are immediate and delayed. The initial result is due to the loss of the fat. With time the area from where the fat was taken will also change and shrink due to scar tissue formation. This effect emphasises the contours of the body. These delayed effects need 6 months to develop.

Liposuction we commonly undertake with you asleep under general anaesthetic however, with small areas this we can undertake with you awake under a Local Anaesthetic. The operation varies in length of time however on average takes 2-3 hours.

The areas we treat will be swollen and tender for the first few days after the operation. The small incisions we close with dissolving sutures and skin colour tape. The wounds can ooze for the first 48 hours after the procedure. Whilst the area shouldn’t be painful they may well be tender and can make walking and mobilising more difficult during the initial post operative period.

Most patients we generally discharge the day after the procedure with simple oral pain killers which you will need to take for 2-3 days.

Most patients we discharge from hospital the day following their procedure. The wounds we will cover with simple skin coloured surgical tape and will give you simple dressings to apply over these areas if there is any wound ooze.

We advise you to shower all areas every day from the first post operative day. It is safe to apply soap and water to the operative areas. The surgical tape design is to adhere to the areas but will start to peel off after a few days or a week. These tapes you can trim at home.

There will be resultant bruising to the areas that will manifest after a few days. With certain patients you may need to wear compression garments after the procedure to limit the swelling.

A cosmetic nurse led clinic will see you a week following the procedure to review the operative sites and the wounds.

Mr Potter will see you shortly following the procedure and we’ll give you successive out- patient clinic reviews until all has settled and you are happy with your outcome.

Liposuction

The Procedure

Post-Operative Care