Liposuction is a highly effective cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat deposits to contour and reshape different areas of the body. Whether you’re considering stomach surgery after weight loss or whole-body liposuction, our Harley Clinic specialists provide expert care and outstanding results.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that targets stubborn fat areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. It is commonly used for the stomach, thighs, arms and flanks.
At Harley Clinic, we use advanced liposuction techniques to ensure minimal downtime and optimal results. If you’re wondering how liposuction works or what to expect before and after liposuction, contact us and we can guide you through it.
Liposuction: Quick Overview
- Surgery Time: 1-3 hours
- Anaesthetic: General
- Hospital Stay: Day
- Dressing and Garments: Remove dressings up to 72 hours after surgery. Wear a compression garment for 6 weeks.
- Time Off Work: 1-2 weeks
- Exercise: 2-3 Weeks
- Mobile: 24-48 hours
- Washing: Shower after 1day
- Sleeping Position: Avoid pressure on liposuction site for 3 weeks
- Full Recovery: 6 weeks
Types of Liposuction
Here are 8 of the most common areas for liposuction.
Love Handles
Love handles refer to the waist and flanks. This is a very common area for liposuction as it can help to create the contours that can be difficult to achieve through diet alone.
Abdomen Liposuction
For anyone losing weight, you probably know how troublesome the abdominal area can be. This is why it’s one of the most popular areas for liposuction is the stomach (tummy tuck). Following weight loss, many men and women struggle to lose excess fat around the stomach, procedures aim to tighten or remove excess or drooping tissue.
Visit our Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) page
Thigh Liposuction and Lower legs
Even with plenty of diet and exercise, many people find that fat tends to settle in the thigh region. You can perform liposuction on the inner and outer thighs as well as the lower legs.
More information on Thighplasty
Chin and Neck Liposuction
As you age, fat can start to accumulate underneath the chin despite no changes in weight. Because liposuction can target small areas, it’s a good solution for excess fat underneath the chin and around the neck that can help take years off.
Chin, Jawline & Neck Liposuction Treatment
Arm Liposuction
Another common problem area is fat deposits in the upper arms. When weight lifting and diet isn’t working, many people turn to liposuction for additional help. Liposuction is a good option for targeting unwanted fat in the upper arms.
View our Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Treatments
Male Breast Reduction
Gynaecomastia is a type of hormonal imbalance that causes breast tissue to develop in men. Although it’s not a medically serious condition, it can be embarrassing and really impact your self-esteem. Liposuction can target this area and remove fat.
More information on Gynaecomastia Surgery
Buttocks Liposuction
While some fat in the bum is desirable, excess fat can result in dimples and sagging. Liposuction in the buttocks can make you look more in proportion.
Brazilian But Lift Surgery Options
Breast Liposuction (Breast Reduction)
You can achieve a significant breast reduction and breast lift through liposuction. It can reduce the weight of breasts and produce a lift by removing excess weight.
Why Choose Harley Clinic?
At Harley Clinic, we take a personalised approach to liposuction, offering tailored assessments to create a treatment plan suited to your unique body type and goals. Our team of expert surgeons works closely with you throughout the entire process, ensuring that your expectations are met with the highest standards of care. Read more about Harley Clinic.
Recovery and Results from Liposuction
Typically, you will go home the same day as your surgery. We always advise that you ask a friend or family member to drive you home. After your surgery, you will wake up wearing a compression garment. This is to help control the swelling and bleeding.
During the recovery period, it’s important to stay hydrated and take the time to rest. For the first few days, you will be wearing your compression garment. After about a week, you can gradually increase your activity.
Here’s the expected timeline for your recovery:
- After 7-10 days, your stitches will either dissolve or will be removed.
- In 2 weeks, you should be able to go back to work if you have your surgeon’s approval.
- At 3 weeks, you may still need to continue wearing your compression garment, though you can start to return to normal activities.
- After about 4-6 weeks, you can return to normal exercise.
- At the 6-week mark, the majority of the swelling and bruising should have subsided. Your surgeon will talk you through everything you need to do to prepare for your surgery and create your individual recovery plan.
- If your weight has remained stable, you should be able to see the final result between 1-6 months, depending on your procedure.
Results from Liposuction
Although you will start to see results immediately, you will experience swelling after the surgery. You can expect to see the final results between 1 to 3 months. As the incisions are small, you will have small scars that will naturally fade over time.
To get the best results, your doctor will create an individual treatment and recovery plan. It’s essential that you follow your surgeon’s recovery schedule so that you give your body the best opportunity to heal.
Weight-loss from Liposuction
Liposuction is not weight-loss surgery, but rather a way of improving the contours of the body. Usually, the amount of fat suctioned out is equivalent to up to 10 pounds. Liposuction can make significant improvements to the way you look and feel, but the risk of complications is increased if too much fat is removed in one surgery.
Liposuction FAQs
Is liposuction safe?
Like any surgery, liposuction carries risks, and patients might experience mild side effects, but when carried out by a qualified and experienced surgeon, it is generally considered a safe surgery.
How long does liposuction take?
There are a number of things that can affect the length of time a liposuction surgery will take, including but not limited to:
Size of Targeted Area: Small areas like chins, arms and knees will often take little more than 30 minutes to an hour, whereas large/multiple areas might take up to 5 hours.
Amount of Fat Removed: Naturally, larger volumes of fat require longer surgery time to remove.
Liposuction Technique: Newer methods of liposuction, such as laser-assisted or ultrasound-assisted, take less time than the traditional suction-assisted (SAL).
Anaesthesia Type: If local anaesthetic is being used for your surgery, it will require less time than general anaesthetic.
Will liposuction leave scars?
The incisions made during liposuction are generally small (around 2-5mm), which means that any scarring will be minimal and will naturally fade over time. The incisions are also placed in less visible areas like natural skin folds to avoid visibility.
Does liposuction permanently remove fat?
The fat cells removed in liposuction will not return. However, if you do not maintain a stable weight (achieved with a healthy diet and regular exercise), the remaining fat cells can expand while new fat cells can develop in areas that were not treated during surgery.
Is liposuction painful?
As liposuction is performed under local or general anaesthetic, there is no pain during the procedure. Mild to moderate discomfort after the procedure is common for patients, though this can be managed with pain medication and will often improve within a few days or weeks.
What is the difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck?
Though both are cosmetic procedures that can improve the appearance of the abdomen, there are key differences in their purpose and techniques:
Before and After Liposuction
The Harley Clinic - Liposuction Patient Reviews
Further Liposuction Reading:
- 5 Ways to Get the Best Liposuction Outcome
- 8 Things to Know if You’re Considering Liposuction
- What is Lipoedema? Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
- Is a Neck Lift or Neck Liposuction Better for You?
- How to Decide Between Traditional and Vaser Liposuction
- Do You Need an Arm Lift or Arm Liposuction?
- 7 Common Myths About Liposuction
- 5 Ways to Get the Best Liposuction Outcome