What is Liposuction?

Liposuction, often called lipo colloquially, is a surgical procedure designed to sculpt the body by removing excess fat from an area where slimming is wanted. The procedure is done using a thin tube called a cannula which is inserted into the area which is connected to a vacuum device which essentially sucks the fat out of the body using a variety of different methods which we'll explore below. The term "lipo" originates from the Greek word for fat, so liposuction essentially means fat removal through suction.

Qualified plastic or dermatologic surgeons can target and remove fat from desired areas such as the hips, thighs, upper arms, abdomen, waist, flanks, back, under the chin, and other parts of the body where spot reducing of fat is wanted. A variation of lipo popular at the moment, known as lipo 360, focuses on removing fat from the abdomen, love handles, and sculpting the lower back to provide a comprehensive contouring of the lower torso. This method of liposuction is wholistic as it takes into consideration the patients complete body shape and delivers noticeable results in a single session.

Liposuction often offers more reliable outcomes in comparison with nonsurgical fat-reduction treatments, which usually require multiple sessions over several months before any noticeable results can be seen. Liposuction is also commonly combined with other procedures, like a tummy tuck or during a mommy makeover. The fat removed through lipo can be repurposed and transferred to areas where volume is desired such as the face, breasts, or buttocks to restore fullness or create more youthful contours.

Liposuction was the world's most commonly performed cosmetic surgery in 2021, with over 1.9 million procedures conducted. This is a trend that has only been increasing year after year since.

What is the cost of Liposuction?

The average cost of liposuction varies significantly by location, with prices in the United States and Australia generally being higher than in other countries like Mexico and Thailand. In the U.S., the average cost can range from $3,000USD to $8,000USD. Countries like Mexico and Thailand offer more affordable options, with average costs around $5,000USD and $4,500USD respectively. The average cost of liposuction in Australia varies depending on the number of areas treated, the type of liposuction technique used, and of course the surgeon's fees. Generally, you can expect to pay between $3,000AUD and $15,000AUD for liposuction, with some clinics quoting prices for a single area starting around $5,500AUD.

How to prepare for Liposuction surgery?

To prepare for liposuction surgery, it's important to reach a healthy weight, your goal body weight, first remembering that weight fluctuations can affect your long term results. It's also a good idea to stop smoking and vaping and to avoid certain medications that can increase risks of bleeding. You should also discuss any medications that you're currently taking with your surgeon in advance prior to your surgery and arrange for someone to drive you to and from the clinic on the day. It's important to consider which parts of the body you're treating and plan for things like work, sleep and other activities that you have as you may need to take rest from some of them for a while.

How is the procedure Preformed?

Liposuction is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, where you go to the doctors office or hospital to have the procedure done. Surgery typically lasts one to two hours, depending on the number of areas being treated and what technique is being used. Smaller regions may take as little as 30 minutes, while a comprehensive 360-degree liposuction around the whole lower torso can take up to three or four hours.

Although traditional liposuction is widely available, advances in technology have made fat removal a less invasive procedure than it used to be, minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues and shortening time of recovery.

During your consultation, your surgeon will help you choose the most suitable liposuction method for your particular needs. All modern techniques are built upon the foundation of tumescent liposuction, which involves injecting a specialized solution into the targeted area before extracting the fat. It's important to select a surgeon who is well versed in newer liposuction techniques in order to provide you with the best option for your desired goals.

Here’s what to expect

On the day of surgery, you'll likely receive either local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia, based on the extent of the procedure being performed. For tumescent liposuction, the surgeon will make small incisions (less than a quarter of an inch in length) in the treatment area and inject a solution of saline, local anesthesia, and epinephrine. This mixture firms the fat for easier removal and constricts blood vessels to reduce bruising, bleeding and recovery time.

The surgeon then inserts a cannula through the incision and moves it back and forth beneath the skin to loosen the fat before suctioning it out.

What are the different types of Liposuction?

As previously mentioned, there are a variety of forms of liposuction these days, each utilizing different techniques to break down and remove fat cells. The most common types used at the moment include tumescent, ultrasound-assisted (UAL), laser-assisted (LAL), and power-assisted liposuction (PAL). Here are some examples and explanations of the current most popular liposuction techniques today.

Types of Liposuction

Tumescent Liposuction:

This is also known as traditional liposuction, a common technique where a special solution (tumescent solution) is injected into the fat tissue to swell and numb the area as well as liquify the fat, making it easier to remove. The solution contains a local anesthetic, an epinephrine solution, and sometimes a vasoconstrictor. The solution is also designed to reduce bleeding and swelling to the area as well.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL):

UAL utilizes ultrasound waves to break down fat cells, making them easier to remove with a cannula.

VASER Liposuction

A specific type of UAL that uses ultrasonic energy to break down fat and can also help with skin tightening. This is a very popular technique used today.

Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL):

LAL uses laser energy to melt and remove fat cells.

Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL):

PAL employs a motorized cannula that vibrates, making it easier to break down and remove the fat cells.

Water-Assisted Liposuction (WAL):

Also known as Body-Jet liposuction, WAL uses a low-pressure stream of saline solution to dislodge fat cells making them easier to remove once separated from the surrounding tissue.

What are the risks and possible side effects of liposuction?

While liposuction surgeries are generally considered safe, they do still carry some potential risks and side effects that are important to be aware of. Some of these include temporary numbness or fluid buildup in the areas where fat was removed from. These side effects usually resolve with time or in some cases with special lymphatic massages. It's crucial that you follow strict guidelines provided to you by your physician in regards to any form of massage to the area fat was removed. In some cases, particularly in thinner patients where it may be more noticeable, contour irregularities or bumps can be seen in the area operated on. This has a higher potential of occurring in areas with less fat to begin with. More serious complications associated with liposuction can include infections, internal organ damage, and in rare cases, fat embolism or fluid imbalances leading to heart or kidney problems. To reduce the risks of unwanted side effects it's crucial to select a board certified surgeon that you trust to ensure utmost care is taken before, during and after your liposuction procedure.

How long do results from liposuction procedure last?

Results from liposuction are generally considered permanent because the procedure removes fat cells from the area, which the body usually does not regenerate. Small amounts of weight gain or loss will cause slight changes to the area as they would to the body as a whole. Even so, patients will usually still be able to see a permanent reduction of fat in the treated area. However, the longevity of the results largely depends on maintaining a stable body weight. If weight is maintained, the sculpting effects can last for many years, potentially even a lifetime. On the other hand, significant weight fluctuations can impact the results, as remaining fat cells may expand or shrink. If a large amount of weight is gained, then the body may in fact regrow fat cells in the treated area altering the created shape during surgery.

How long is recovery for a liposuction procedure?

Liposuction recovery generally takes 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the scope of the procedure, how many areas were treated and of course, how much fat was removed. Smaller treatments, such as chin liposuction, may require just a few days, while a more comprehensive 360-degree liposuction might involve 2 weeks or more of rest.

Here’s what you can expect during recovery

Swelling, bruising, and inflammation around the area operated on are common side effects along with some numbness and potentially nerve pain. The treated area may feel firm due to swelling, which typically subsides within six weeks, usually less.

Your doctor may prescribe pain medication, although over-the-counter pain relievers are generally sufficient for some patients.

Lumpy areas may appear in the area where fat was removed as the swelling decreases. Don't be alarmed as these should improve within a few weeks. Your surgeon should go over these potential side effects with you and give you some tips on how to mitigate them such as doing certain lymphatic massages and wearing a compression garment that can help smooth things out.

Most individuals resume normal activities, including exercise, within 3 to 4 weeks.