What is liposuction?

Liposuction (also called lipectomy or lipoplasty) is a type of cosmetic surgery (procedure) that removes fat from under your skin.

The procedure is not a weight-loss method. It doesn't remove fat from other parts of the body, such as visceral fat from around your organs.

Liposuction reshapes certain areas of the body by removing fat from those areas.

It is most often used for the:

• thighs
• buttocks
• abdomen (stomach area)
• arms
• neck and under the chin

Liposuction is also used for the:

• back
• inner knee
• chest
• cheek
• calves
• ankles

Some people have liposuction at the same time as other cosmetic surgery procedures such as:

• a facelift
• a breast augmentation
• an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

What are the benefits of liposuction?

Liposuction can remove stubborn fat that exercise can't reduce.

Liposuction works best for people of normal weight who have firm, elastic skin but have excess fat in certain areas.

Liposuction is not a substitute for losing weight.

Is liposuction right for me?

Liposuction might be right for you if you:

• have realistic expectations about the procedure
• have tried to change your body shape with a healthy diet and regular exercise
• are in good health at the time of the procedure

You might feel that a certain body size and shape is needed to look good. However, liposuction may not be the answer. If you feel unhappy with your body image, think carefully before you decide to get cosmetic surgery. Every surgery has risks.

It's a good idea to speak to your usual doctor before undergoing liposuction. They can help you manage your overall health.

What does liposuction involve?

If you are having a liposuction procedure, you will have either a local or a general anaesthetic.

The procedure involves making very small cuts in your skin. Then different techniques are used to remove fat from under the skin in that area.

The fat can be turned into liquid or shaved off before being suctioned out.

How can I prepare myself for liposuction?

To prepare for a liposuction procedure, you should find out as much information about it as you can. This helps you understand what results you can realistically expect.

To get ready for surgery and make recovery easier:

• try to reach your ideal weight
• be as healthy and fit as you can
• if you smoke, you should quit smoking
• read and follow all the instructions from your surgeon

Speak to your doctor or surgeon to find out whether you need to make any changes to your medications before the surgery.

How do I find a plastic surgeon?

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has a register of medical practitioners. This will tell you if a doctor is a specialist plastic surgeon. Plastic surgeons are the best type of healthcare professional to carry out a liposuction procedure.

If the doctor isn't a specialist plastic surgeon, they may still be able to do cosmetic procedures such as liposuction. But it is important to realise that they don't have the same qualifications as a specialist.

If you are considering a surgeon, find out about their experience and qualifications. Ask them questions about the procedure. Make sure you are comfortable with them.

Questions to ask before liposuction

There is a lot to consider before deciding to have any type of cosmetic surgery.

Questions you should ask your surgeon about liposuction include:

• What type of liposuction do you recommend for me and why?
• How much bruising, swelling or pain do you expect me to have? What should I do about this?
• How long after surgery will it be before I can go back to my normal activities?
• Will I have stitches, bandages or dressings? How long will they be in place? Will I need to have the stitches taken out?
• Will I have scars? What will they look like?
• How many of your patients have complications? What will it mean for me if this happens?
• How often do people need to re-do liposuction because of problems?
• Will there be extra costs for further surgery due to complications or if I am not satisfied with the result?

You can also ask your surgeon questions about surgery in general.

What costs are involved?

The costs and fees for liposuction will be different in each case.

They include the:

• surgeon's fees
• anaesthetist's fees
• clinic or hospital fees
• medication, dressings and support garments

You should ask your surgeon about fees and costs before having the procedure.

Medicare doesn't cover the cost of liposuction, and often private health insurance doesn't either.

How soon will I recover?

Some people may need a short hospital stay after getting liposuction. You will usually need a few days' rest at home before going back to work or your normal activities. Your surgeon will give you specific advice based on your situation.

When you wake up after liposuction, you may find a cannula (thin tube) draining fluid from the surgical site.

There will be dressings on the wounds. You may have to wear an elastic bandage or a compression garment for a while. You should expect to have pain for many days, and your doctor will prescribe some pain relief medicine.

After the surgery there will be some swelling. You will be given instructions on how to care for the surgical areas. Once the swelling has gone down, you'll be able to see the results. This may take a few weeks or even several months.

Usually, liposuction doesn't need to be repeated. There may be excess skin after the surgery and a different procedure may be needed to remove this.

What complications can happen?

Liposuction can sometimes have complications or unwanted results. Some common ones include:

• uneven skin with ripples or dimples
• baggy skin
• numbness or reduced sensation in the skin
• scarring (when you have invasive surgery there will always be scarring). All surgeons aim for minimal scarring. Where possible, scars will be along natural creases and skin lines.
• slow healing
• bruising and swelling
• pockets of fluid under the skin

Serious complications, which are less common, can include:

• blood clots in your legs, which can travel to your lungs and cause serious illness
• excessive fluid loss, which can lead to shock
• burns to your skin or deeper tissue due to the ultrasound used to liquefy fat
• infection in the fatty tissues, which can be hard to treat

See your surgeon or doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms after surgery.

When should I see my doctor?

After surgery, if you have any of these symptoms, notify your surgeon or doctor right away:

• temperature higher than 38°C
• chills
• heavy bleeding from the wounds
• redness around the incision sites that is getting worse
• increasing pain or tenderness
• other changes that worry you

Are there alternatives to liposuction?

Some alternatives to liposuction that you could consider include:

• counselling to help you accept your body as it is
• lifestyle changes such as healthy eating or physical activity

Resources and support

If you are considering liposuction, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor or surgeon. You will find more resources at these organisations:

• Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons Information Hotline 1300 367 446
• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (03) 9249 1200
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency 1300 419 495
• The Butterfly Foundation has information about understanding body image issues.
• The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing provides information to help you have cosmetic surgery safely.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.