What is Fat Removal (Liposuction / Liposculpture)?

Liposuction and Liposculpture both involve fat removal. The difference between them is more of strategy rather than technique. Liposuction is generally for bulk reduction and Liposculpture is for profile enhancement. This is the removal of unwanted deposits of fat from specific areas of the body. It is not a treatment for obesity.

Soft Liposculpture

At LINIA we use our special technique of soft Liposculpture when multi layered fat removal is achieved by using fat loosening solutions, hence reducing the bruising and speeding the recovery. Following the removal of fat, deep massage is performed. This procedure is called "Liporedistribution". This reduces the risk of lumpiness and enhances the resolution of swelling. Superficial liposuction is performed using special thin cannulas to help skin tightening and achieve a firmer skin tone.

Liposculpture / Liposuction

It is not a weight loss procedure, it does not treat the problem of cellulite and does not make skin on the treated area go tight. Weight changes and ageing can change the results with passage of time.

Why is it Popular and What are the Benefits?

Despite our best efforts to eat a healthy diet and to exercise and keep in shape, many of us find that there are areas of our bodies from which we simply cannot shift stubborn fat. In women, most often, these areas are hips, inner and outer thighs, upper arms, buttocks, knees and abdomen.

Although men generally have a lower percentage of total body fat than women, theirs tends to accumulate around their waist and abdomen, under the chin and sometimes on the breasts. Liposuction reduces or removes those deposits of fat permanently, resulting in an overall loss of bulk and inches, combined with more aesthetically pleasing contours. Fat cells are believed not to regenerate in adult life, so their removal will give a permanent change in contour, independent of changes in your body weight. It will not, however, prevent you from gaining weight in future.

What Does the Procedure Involve?

Liposuction is usually performed under heavy or "twilight" sedation, which reduces recovery time and usually avoids the need for an overnight stay in hospital. Larger Liposuction can also be performed under general anaesthetic. The surgeon first injects the area/s to be treated with a solution containing drugs that reduce bleeding and relieve pain. A narrow metal tube, or cannula, is then inserted through a small incision (4-5mm) in the nearby skin.

The cannula is moved back and forward whilst a vacuum pump draws out excess fat, leaving blood vessels and nerves intact. For very minor areas a syringe may be used to achieve the same effect. The small incisions are then stitched, and light dressings applied. The time taken to perform the procedure depends on the number of areas being treated, and the volume of fat to be removed.

What are the Risks and Likely After-Effects?

Cosmetic surgery, like any other surgery, involves a "trauma" to the human body and there are risks associated with any procedure. Each person's body is different, and your general health, level of fitness, age and genetic profile will all have an effect on the speed of healing and also on the risk of side-effects.

If you smoke, drink alcohol, are overweight and/or take drugs for medical or other reasons, the risk of complication during and after surgery can be greatly increased. Smoking, in particular, is discouraged because it increases the risk both of wound breakdown and thrombosis (blood clots).

After Lipo-Suction it is normal for all patients to experience tiredness, swelling, pain, bruising and numbness. The larger the area treated, the more acute the symptoms can be. The most commonly reported after effect of this procedure is lumpiness underneath the skin surface and the appearance of hard, irregular bumps beneath the surface. This is normal, and will decrease in the weeks and months after surgery, aided by regular, frequent and deep massage.

Heavier bruising can happen, particularly if you have a tendency to bleed or have been taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs. For this reason we check your clotting profile and full blood count before the operation.

Serious infection is very rare, but the areas which have been treated can sometimes become inflamed and there can occasionally be some oozing from the incisions. Occasionally irregularity underneath the skin may result which may need further liposuction for adjustment.

What Will Happen After the Operation?

Post Op

Your surgeon will visit you once you come round from the anaesthetic to check that all is well. Then the nurse will help you to put on a snug-fitting pressure garment over the treated area/s to provide support and reduce swelling. You will usually be discharged the same day, although occasionally an overnight stay may be recommended if you have had multiple areas treated. On leaving you will be given medication and post-operative instructions along with appropriate telephone numbers in case you need to contact us at any time.

Week 1-2

You will experience some pain and discomfort in the first few days after the operation, and particularly once the effects of the anaesthetic have started to wear off. This can be controlled with regular medication which we will provide. You may also experience some pinkish fluid discharge from the incision sites for 2-3 days: this is normal and the dressings will absorb it.

The pressure garment needs to be worn continuously, day and night, for the next 2 weeks, though you can take it off to wash or shower. For the next 6 weeks the garment is to be worn "most of the time". Sometimes you may "feel" or "imagine" yourself to be bigger than you were before surgery! Again, this is normal and is entirely due to post-operative swelling and fluid retention which will decrease. The areas treated will remain sore and tender and you are likely to feel tired and stiff so although it is possible for you to return to work soon after, we would recommend that you take a few days off work if at all possible.

By the second week you should be feeling less discomfort and bruising should be reducing. You will see our nurse for a check up around 7-10 days after the operation. She will remove any stitches which have not dissolved and your dressings will be removed.

Weeks 6-10

Your surgeon will see you again, usually 8-10 weeks afterwards for a full post-operative consultation. By now you will be noticing visible results and the small scars will be fading. Lumpiness and numbness are likely to persist for several months. We normally advise you not to expect to see the full results for anything up to 6-9 months.

Full Post-Operative Cover

We're confident that you will be delighted with the results. For that reason, we guarantee that we will provide post-operative cover for a full three years after your procedure. It's our way of ensuring that you have peace of mind and confidence in LINIA.