Liposuction - How liposuction is performed

Before having liposuction, your surgeon should discuss the procedure with you to make sure you are happy with the kind of anaesthetic needed and the techniques involved.

You will also be asked to have general health tests to check you are fit to undergo surgery.

Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs for two weeks before surgery. For women having an extensive operation, a surgeon may advise you to stop taking the contraceptive pill as well. If you are anaemic, taking an iron supplement may be recommended. If you smoke, you may be advised to stop during the weeks leading up to the operation.

Before your operation can be carried out, you will be asked to sign a consent form. This is to confirm that you understand the risks, benefits and possible alternatives to the operation.

The operation

The treatment area will be marked on your body with a pen. You may be asked to allow a photograph of the area to be taken so the results of the operation can be compared to how you looked before surgery.

Most liposuction operations take between one and four hours and are performed under general anaesthetic. For treatments on the lower body, an epidural anaesthetic may be used. This numbs the lower part of the body while you are awake.

A local anaesthetic (where only one area of the body is numbed and you are awake) is only suitable when liposuction is performed on very small areas of the body.

The surgeon will start by preparing the area where the fat is to be removed. This usually involves injecting the area with a mixture of anaesthetic, salt solution and a medication called epinephrine. This is done to reduce blood loss, bruising and swelling.

In some cases, preparation may also involve breaking down the fat cells in the treatment area so they are easier to remove. This can be done using high-frequency vibrations, a weak laser pulse or a high-pressure water jet.

The surgeon will then make a small cut in the skin of the area to be treated. If it's a large area, several cuts may have to be made.

A tube called a microcannula, which is attached to a specialist vacuum machine, is then inserted into the cut. The tube is passed back and forth within the treatment area to loosen the fat and suck it out.

When the fat has been sucked out, the surgeon drains any excess fluid and blood using small drainage tubes. This may have to be done several times after the procedure.

Read information about recovering from liposuction.