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LiposuctionPublished by BUPA's health information team, healthinfo@bupa.com, October 2007. This factsheet is for people who are considering having liposuction. This operation helps to change your body shape by removing unwanted body fat. Your care will be adapted to meet your individual needs and may differ from what is described here. So, it's important that you follow your surgeon's advice.
About liposuctionLiposuction, also known as liposculpture, can remove areas of fat that you have not been able to shift with diet and exercise. Liposuction is not a treatment for weight control or obesity, and it can't remove cellulite or stretch marks. Liposuction can be done on your abdomen, hips, thighs, inside of the knees, ankles, upper arms, neck and back. There is a limit to the amount of fat that can be safely removed from an area. So, it may not be possible to reduce an area as much as you might like. Your body won't replace the fat cells, so you should have a long-lasting change in your body shape, especially if you exercise, eat a healthy diet, and maintain a healthy weight after your operation. What are the alternatives?If you want to lose fat from your abdomen, an alternative may be a tummy tuck, where excess fat and skin is removed from the abdomen. Many creams, diet supplements and beauty treatments claim to reduce stubborn areas of fat and even cellulite. However, there is no scientific proof that they work. Getting adviceIt's important not to rush into the decision to have cosmetic surgery. Discuss your options with your GP, who may be able to recommend a reputable surgeon or give advice about how to choose which hospital to be treated in. Before opting for liposuction, discuss with your surgeon what you are hoping to gain from the operation and the result you can realistically expect. Preparing for your operationYour surgeon will discuss how to prepare for your operation. For example, if you smoke you may be asked to quit, as smoking will increase your risk of getting a chest or wound infection and slow your recovery. Liposuction is usually done as a day case. The operation is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic. This means you will be asleep during the procedure. You will be asked not to eat or drink for about six hours before a general anaesthetic. However, some anaesthetists allow occasional sips of water until two hours beforehand. Alternatively, your operation can be done under a local anaesthetic. This means that the area will be completely numb but you stay awake. You may be given a sedative to help you relax during the procedure. At the hospital, your nurse will explain how you will be cared for during your stay, and may do some tests such as checking your heart rate and blood pressure, and testing your urine. Your surgeon will usually visit you to discuss the operation and ask you to sign a consent form. This confirms that you understand the risks, benefits and possible alternatives to the procedure and have given your permission for it to go ahead. Your surgeon will mark the treatment area on your body. Photographs may be taken, so that the results of liposuction can be compared with your original appearance. Your nurse will prepare you for theatre. You may be asked to wear compression stockings to help prevent blood clots forming in the veins in your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT). About the operationThere are several different techniques. Your surgeon will explain the options available to you. Depending on how much fat you are having removed, the operation usually takes up to two hours. Wet liposuctionYour surgeon will inject a fluid mixture containing a salty solution, local anaesthetic and adrenaline into the fatty area being treated. This helps reduce bleeding, bruising and swelling and makes it easier to remove the fat. Your surgeon will make a cut in your skin and insert a thin metal tube. This is attached to a vacuum pump or a syringe. The tube is moved vigorously inside the fatty tissue to break it up. The fat and fluid is sucked out. For larger areas, more than one cut may be made to reach all the fatty deposits that are being treated. Once your surgeon has removed the required amount of fat, the metal tube is taken out and the cuts are closed with dissolvable stitches. A variation of the wet technique is called 'tumescent' liposuction where a larger volume of fluid is injected. Dry liposuctionMetal tube and suction is used without fluid injection to remove the fat. Dry liposuction can cause more bleeding and bruising than wet liposuction therefore it's not commonly used. Ultrasound liposuctionIf the fat is very firm (for example, on the back), or there is a lot of fat, ultrasound is used to break up the fat before it's removed. What to expect afterwardsAfterwards, the treated area is firmly strapped with bandages. You will usually be fitted with an elasticated support garment. This will help to reduce swelling and help your skin mould to your new body shape. You will be given painkillers to help relieve any discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off. You will usually be able to go home once you have made a full recovery from the anaesthetic. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. You should try to have a friend or relative stay with you for the next 24 hours. Before you go home, your nurse will advise you about caring for your stitches, hygiene and bathing. You will usually be given a date for a follow-up appointment. Recovering from liposuctionAt home, if you need them, you can usually take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Follow the instructions in the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine and ask your pharmacist for advice. General anaesthesia can temporarily affect your co-ordination and reasoning skills, so you should not drink alcohol, operate machinery or sign legal documents for 48 hours afterwards. You will usually need to wear your elasticated garment or bandages for two to three weeks. Don't do strenuous exercise for up to four weeks, but walking and gentle exercises are encouraged. If you had treatment to a large area, you may need to take up to 10 days off work. Dissolvable stitches will disappear on their own in seven to 10 days. It may be several months before you see changes to your body shape as the swelling can take time to settle down. It helps if you have skin with good elasticity, which is more likely to shrink down to fit your new body shape. What are the risks?Liposuction is a commonly performed and generally safe surgical procedure. However, in order to make an informed decision and give your consent, you need to be aware of the possible side-effects and the risk of complications. Side-effectsThese are the unwanted, but mostly temporary effects of a successful procedure, for example, feeling sick as a result of the general anaesthetic. Specific side-effects of liposuction include:
If you have large areas treated or are prone to anaemia, you may need to take iron tablets for about a month afterwards. ComplicationsThis is when problems occur during or after the operation. Most people are not affected. The possible complications of any operation include an unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic, excessive bleeding, infection, or developing a blood clot, usually in a vein in the leg (deep vein thrombosis, DVT). Specific complications of liposuction are rare, but can include:
It's possible that you still won't be satisfied with your appearance after the operation. The exact risks are specific to you and will differ for every person, so we have not included statistics here. Ask your surgeon to explain how these risks apply to you. Further information
Sources
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This information was published by BUPA's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by cosmetic surgeon Anthony Attwood, MB BS, FRCS (Ed.) and by BUPA doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional. Publication date: October 2007. Expected review date: October 2009
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