Liposuction
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to remove excess fat deposits from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, and neck. Using a suction technique, a plastic surgeon inserts a thin tube called a cannula through small incisions to break up and suction out the fat.
Liposuction is not a weight-loss method but rather a body contouring procedure intended for individuals who have localised fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise.
What are common areas for Liposuction?
Legs: Liposuction can be performed on the thighs, including the inner thighs and outer thighs.
Hips: Liposuction of the hips can help address fat deposits which may be hard to remove with diet and exercise.
Waist and stomach: Liposuction can target areas such as the abdomen and waist.
Upper arms: Liposuction of the upper arms, often combined with an arm lift (brachioplasty).
Liposuction in combination
Liposuction may be included as part of other plastic surgery procedures such as abdominoplasty (tummy tucks), thigh lift, circumferential lipectomy (body lift) or arm lift (brachioplasty).
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
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Recovery and Aftercare
Liposuction as a stand alone procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic in a fully certified hospital as a day procedure.
The recovery period for liposuction typically involves an initial phase of rest and limited activity, followed by a gradual return to normal activities. Immediately after the procedure, patients can expect swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the treated areas, which are managed with prescribed pain medications and compression garments to minimise swelling and support the healing tissues.
Most patients are able to return to light activities and work within a few days to a week, depending on the extent of the procedure and the areas treated.
Full recovery from liposuction can take several weeks to months. Swelling may persist for a few weeks, and final results become more apparent as the body heals and the swelling subsides.
Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and exercise for at least four to six weeks post-surgery. Follow-up appointments with the surgeon are important to monitor the healing process and ensure optimal results. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet is essential to preserve the results of liposuction.
Are the results of liposuction permanent?
The results of liposuction can be long-lasting, but they are not necessarily permanent. Here are some key points to understand about the longevity of liposuction results:
Fat Cell Removal:
- Liposuction removes fat cells from the treated areas, and these cells do not regenerate. This means that the specific areas treated with liposuction will have a reduced capacity to accumulate fat compared to before the procedure.
Weight Stability:
- To maintain the results, it is crucial to maintain a stable weight. Significant weight gain after the procedure can lead to the remaining fat cells enlarging or new fat cells developing, which can alter the results.
Healthy Lifestyle:
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise is essential to preserving the benefits of liposuction. A healthy lifestyle helps prevent significant weight fluctuations that could affect the results.
Natural Ageing Process:
- The body’s natural aging process can still affect the results over time. Skin may lose elasticity with age, and changes in body composition can occur, which may impact the appearance of the treated areas.
Residual Fat Cells:
- While liposuction removes many fat cells, some remain in the treated area and other parts of the body. These remaining fat cells can still expand if there is weight gain.
In summary, while liposuction provides a permanent reduction in fat cells in the treated areas, maintaining the results requires a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. Ageing and weight fluctuations can influence the long-term appearance of the treated areas.
Before and After Gallery
Individual results will vary from patient to patient and according to factors including genetics, age, diet, exercise. All invasive surgery carries risk and requires a recovery period and care regime. Be sure you do your research and seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon before proceeding. Any details are general in nature and are not intended to be medical advice or constitute a doctor-patient relationship.
For comprehensive information on the potential risks and post-surgery recovery process, please see risks associated with surgery section towards the bottom of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
If we haven’t addressed your inquiries yet, here are some frequently asked questions that may provide the information you’re looking for. However, if you still have any remaining questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinic at 07 5683 0820 or via email at admin@thecoastalclinic.com.au. Our team is ready to assist you.
Liposuction does not improve cellulite or stretch marks caused by rapid weight gain or pregnancy.
Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure and an elective surgery, as such it is not covered by Medicare.
If you have private health insurance, it is important to contact your provider directly to discuss your policy.
Yes all procedures whether they are cosmetic or medical require a referral from a general practitioner (GP) or another Specialist.
All referrals are to be sent to admin@thecoastalclinic.com.au prior to their consultation.
The visibility of scars after liposuction can vary depending on several factors such as the location and size of the incisions, and individual healing. In general, liposuction incisions are small,around a few millimeters in length.
The results of liposuction are considered long-lasting, but it’s important to understand that they are not necessarily permanent. Liposuction permanently removes fat cells from the treated areas, and these fat cells will not regenerate. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise to sustain the results of liposuction.
After liposuction surgery, the results are instantly visible, but it’s important to understand that the immediate appearance may not fully reflect the final outcome. Immediately following the procedure, you will notice a reduction in the volume of the treated area due to the removal of fat cells. However, there will be swelling, bruising, and fluid retention in the initial days and weeks after surgery, which can affect the final appearance.
The final results of liposuction can take several months to become apparent as the body heals and adjusts.
Liposuction is not considered an ideal option for weight loss or as a method to decrease overall body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). While liposuction can effectively remove localised fat deposits, it is not a substitute for healthy lifestyle choices, including proper diet and regular exercise, which are crucial for sustainable weight loss and overall well-being.
Liposuction is best suited for individuals who are already at or near their ideal body weight but have specific areas of excess fat that are resistant to diet and exercise.
Risks associated with surgery
As part of our commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, we aim to provide you with comprehensive information regarding the general risks associated with surgical procedures, anaesthesia, and procedure-specific risks.
General Operative and Anaesthetic risks
- Acute medical event: Heart or lung complications (e.g. heart attack, stroke, chest infection)
- Death
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolisms (PE)
- A sore throat/breathing difficulty due to the general aesthetic or the endotracheal tube, which can cause swelling, noisy breathing or discomfort
- Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia
- Wound infection, which may result in treatment with antibiotics or further treatment/surgery. This is more likely in a smoker or a person with diabetes.
- Heavy bleeding from the wound, which may result in further treatment/surgery
- Wound discharge
- Poor or slow healing of the skin; wound breakdown; skin necrosis
- Wound dehiscence (wound ruptures along the surgical incision)
- Bruising and swelling. This will start to subside in one to two weeks but can take up to several months to settle
- Abscess/Haematoma/Seroma/Oedema
- Pain and discomfort
- Allergic reaction to sutures, dressing, antiseptic solutions
- Altered or loss of sensation in and around the treated area, which may persist for some months, numbness maybe permanent
- Adverse scarring
- Revisionary surgery
- Psychological impact of change in appearance
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic appearance
Specific Procedure Risks:
- Contour irregularities
- Bruising and Swelling
- Paresthesia (may be numbness or tingling)
- Infection
- Ooze from liposuction fluid from liposuction site
- Over or under removal of fat
- Damage to surrounding suture