Diet and exercise can help us to lose weight and enjoy a slimmer silhouette, but sometimes we are left with areas of stubborn fat that simply won’t disappear no matter how hard we try. These jiggly spots can be very disheartening, especially when we have put so much effort into getting into shape. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to live with them forever. Liposuction is one cosmetic surgery procedure that can banish pesky pockets of stubborn fat and enable us to enjoy a smoother, more toned appearance. Better still, it can be used on all those areas where fat tends to congregate – including the hips, thighs, flanks, buttocks, upper arms and abdomen.

What can I expect to happen in my liposuction procedure?

Liposuction is a very straightforward procedure. Although it is referred to as surgery, the incisions made to complete the process are very small, and so many surgeons refer to it as minimally-invasive. That said, you will still be given a general anesthetic to put you to sleep for the procedure. This will ensure that you aren’t in any pain or have any awareness of memory of it. To put you to sleep, you will be laid on the surgical table and have a cannula placed into the back of your hand. Your surgical team will inject the anesthetic into the cannula which will enter your bloodstream. You may be asked to count backwards from ten, and after a few seconds you will be asleep.

After the general anesthetic has taken effect, your surgeon will inject salt water into the area of your body that you are having targeted by liposuction. This is used to help break up the fat cells so that they will be more easily removed. Your surgeon may also ‘jiggle’ the area so that the salt water is evenly distributed and can reach all of the necessary cells. After this, a thin, metal tube which is attached to a small vacuum is inserted into your body through small cent-sized incisions located throughout the target area. This is used to suck out the broken-down fat cells, which pass through the tube and into a container. In order to free up further fat cells for removal, the metal tube will be thrust backwards and forwards under the skin, much like as if you were trying to vacuum a rug.

Once all of the fat cells have been removed, any excess blood or fluid will be drained, and the procedure will conclude. The entire process should take a maximum of three hours, but exactly how long will depend on the size of the area you are targeting.

Recovering from liposuction surgery

You will need to be monitored in the hours after your liposuction surgery and for this reason, you should expect to stay in our care overnight. This will help ensure that you get the best possible start to your recovery. After this, you will be allowed to return home, but you must follow the post-surgical instructions given to you by your medical team as these will help to ensure that the risk of complications while you heal is minimal.

Here are our key guidelines for recovering from liposuction surgery.

• Take your pain relief medication as prescribed and do not wait until you are in significant discomfort. Being in pain prolongs the healing process.

• You will be bruised and feel uncomfortable. This is normal and could take a week or more to dissipate.

• You may be given a compression garment to wear over the affected area. This helps to control swelling and should be worn as directed.

• Get plenty of rest, but do not sleep on the targeted area as this could affect the results of your liposuction.

• Drink plenty of water and eat healthy, balanced meals.

• Avoid physical exertion for up to six weeks or get the approval of your surgeon before taking part.

• If you have any concerns, don’t wait to talk to your medical team.

Your surgeon will walk you through everything that is involved in your liposuction surgery during your consultation. If you have any further questions, this is the ideal time for you to raise them. Our experienced and skilled surgical team would be delighted to offer their support and advice. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to speak to us or to schedule an appointment.