Liposuction

What does this involve?

There are various techniques that surgeons can use to perform this operation. Your surgeon will advise which is the most appropriate in your case, and will explain how you can expect to look after surgery.

Wet Liposuction - your surgeon injects a solution of saline, local anaesthetic and adrenaline into the identified area. This helps reduce the amount of bleeding, bruising and swelling and makes fat cell removal easier. An incision is made in the skin and a cannula (a thin metal tube) is inserted through this incision. The cannula is attached to either a syringe or a vacuum pump and is then moved vigorously within the fatty tissue. The syringe/vacuum pump then draws out the fat and the injected solution. For larger areas, several incisions may need to be made in order to reach all the fatty deposits. Once surgery is complete, all incisions are closed with stitches.

Dry Liposuction - the use of the cannula and syringe/vacuum pump is the same, but this method does not involve the injection of a solution. It can result in more bleeding and bruising.

The results of Liposuction can be long lasting, providing you maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. However, if you put on weight, you may experience the appearance of fatty bulges.

Your surgeon will explain and discuss the potential benefits and risks of having Liposuction and will advise what type of supportive compression garment (e.g. Abdominal Corset/Support Pants/Cycling Shorts) you will require post-operatively.

Following the procedure you will be taken from the operating theatre into the Recovery Suite where you will be looked after until you are fully awake following the anaesthetic. After this, you will return to your room, where your nurses will check your dressings and monitor your pulse and blood pressure at regular intervals.

The anaesthetist is likely to prescribe painkillers to reduce any potential discomfort and you should take these regularly for the first few days. Pain can slow down your recovery, so it is important to discuss any discomfort with the nursing staff.

When will I recover?

After Liposuction you are likely to have some discomfort/pain, swelling, and bruising in the area/s treated. Bruising may take four weeks to subside and swelling may take six months to completely settle.

You should follow your surgeon's advice regarding how long to avoid driving but you certainly should not begin driving again until you are confident that you can safely perform an emergency stop without experiencing any discomfort.

Your surgeon will also advise you on how long you are required to wear your supportive compression garment and whether it is to be worn day and night.

You will receive a post-operative telephone call from the Cosmetic Surgery Specialist Nurse one to two days after your discharge home to ascertain your progress and well being.

The length of time you will need to take off work will completely depend on your type of employment.

What risks should I know about?

Liposuction is a commonly performed and generally safe procedure. However, all surgery carries an element of risk.

The possible complications of any surgery can include an unexpected reaction to a general anaesthetic, excessive bleeding, developing a blood clot (usually in a vein in the lower leg, known as a DVT - deep vein thrombosis) and infection. Signs of infection include uncontrolled pain, redness, swelling, oozing from wounds, and fever.

You will be left with scars where the incisions were made. Initially they will be red and slightly raised, but they should gradually soften and fade over the following months. You may also experience some numbness in the treated area - this is usually temporary, but in some cases is permanent.

Specific complications of Liposuction are rare, but can include:

• An unexpected allergic reaction to the solution used for Wet Liposuction
• Fluid filled areas under the skin, which may require draining with a needle (known as a seroma)
• Fatty deposits getting into a blood vessel, which may travel in a vein and cause a clot in a lung
• Damage to internal organs, which may require further surgery to repair
• Serious disruption of the fluid balance of the body, which in very rare cases leads to breathing problems

Circle care

Liposuction is carried out at CircleBath, our state of the art hospital, which provides you with the best facilities and superb patient care.  We have a dedicated team of Cosmetic Surgeons and Nurses who will guide you through the process from first consultation to after-care and will be available to answer any questions or queries you may have.