Liposuction - Why liposuction is used

Liposuction is generally considered a type of cosmetic surgery because it is most often carried out to improve a person's appearance, rather than their health.

Improving appearance

Liposuction can be used to remove small areas of fat that are hard to lose through exercise and a healthy diet. It works best in people who are a normal weight and in areas where the skin is tight.

Areas commonly treated with liposuction include:

tummy
hips
thighs
upper arm
neck
buttocks

Liposuction is not an alternative to losing weight, and it is not a treatment for obesity. It is also not an effective method for removing cellulite or stretch marks.

Many people find they can lose weight, tone up and reduce fatty areas with a combination of healthy eating and exercise. Liposuction is only recommended if you have tried changing your lifestyle but it has not helped.

Before choosing to have liposuction, discuss other options with your GP. Think carefully about why you think liposuction may benefit you.

Treating health conditions

Liposuction is occasionally used as part of the treatment of certain conditions, including the ones outlined below.

Lymphoedema

Lymphoedema is a condition where fluid (lymph fluid from the lymphatic system) accumulates in body tissue rather than being drained away. This causes swelling, numbness, discomfort and sometimes infection. It is most common in the arms and legs.

The most common form of chronic lymphoedema in the UK is in women who have had treatment for breast cancer, such as removal of the lymph nodes or radiotherapy to the lymph nodes in the armpit. This causes the arms to swell.

Liposuction can be used to reduce the pain, discomfort and swelling of lymphoedema, but is only advised for the most severe cases. People who have this procedure may have to wear a compression bandage permanently.

Gynaecomastia

Sometimes, men can develop enlarged breasts due to fatty swellings under their nipples. This condition is called gynaecomastia, and it can be caused by a hormone imbalance or some types of medication. Liposuction can be used to remove these swellings.

Lipodystrophy syndrome

This is a condition where fat is gained in one area of the body and lost from another. It is a side effect of some medicines used to treat HIV (antiretrovirals).

The redistribution of fat may cause obvious physical changes, which people with the condition can find extremely upsetting. Liposuction may be used as part of the treatment to improve the appearance of someone with the condition.

Lipoedema

Lipoedema is the abnormal build-up of fat cells in the legs, thighs and buttocks. It occurs almost exclusively in women. It is not known what causes lipoedema, but there is a family history of the condition in up to 50% of cases.

Liposuction appears to be the only effective treatment for the lipoedema, as most of the treatments normally used for tissue swelling - such as diuretics (tablets that get rid of excess fluid) - are generally unhelpful for the condition.

Extreme weight loss

Liposuction may also be used after extreme weight loss.

This might be as a result of a controlled dieting programme or weight loss surgery, such as a gastric band or bypass surgery. In this case, more surgical procedures may be needed to remove excess skin or correct any scarring or other abnormalities. Liposuction may be used as part of this process.