Liposuction

Liposuction removes unwanted fat deposits that are resistant to exercise and diet from specific areas of the body. Areas that can be addressed include the abdomen, waist, arms, thighs, face, neck, back, buttocks, hips, knees, and ankles.

Common questions about liposuction

Is it right for me?

Careful planning with a clear outline of your goals is important to achieve the best results. If you think you might be a good candidate because you have localised fat deposits that you’d like to get removed, the best way to find out is to book a consultation.

What will happen during my consultation?

Dr Barnouti will take your complete medical history, examine you thoroughly and discuss your goals and requirements in detail.

He can then determine whether you are suitable for non-surgical ‘soft’ treatments, such as ultra-shape mesotherapy or liposoft, or whether you require less invasive lipo to reshape the problem areas.

A soft treatment can be provided during the consultation if it is appropriate and should you wish to proceed immediately.

What happens during the procedure?

Liposuction can take between 30 minutes and three hours, depending on the case’s complexity.

The unwanted fat is first liquefied by injections of saline solution combined with local anaesthetic and a vasoconstrictor, which restricts local blood flow.

The surgeon then makes a tiny incision and introduces a hollow, stainless steel tube called a cannula into the deep fat layer. This procedure is safer than working on the superficial layer, as there is less risk of injuring the skin.

The surgeon pushes and pulls the tube through the fat layer, and as the cannula moves, it breaks up the fat cells, which are sucked out with a vacuum pump or syringe.

Animated Video Showing Liposuction Procedure

What are the risks associated with this procedure?

Plastic surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries inherent risks and potential complications.

Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.

What special care will I need after treatment?

Most of our liposuction patients don’t require a hospital stay, but surgery involving very large areas will require general anaesthesia and an overnight stay.

In all cases, a special garment must be worn for approximately three weeks.

Liposuction wounds heal after three or four days, and reabsorbable stitches are typically used, so you will not need to have the stitches taken out.

Treatment usually causes some bruising, which can take up to 10 days to clear.

How soon can I get back to work and regular activities?

A minimum of 24 hours of rest is recommended, and most people can return to work and resume their usual social lives after three or four days.

However, depending on the scale of your treatment, patients should expect to wait between one and three weeks before engaging in any physically demanding activities.

How much does liposuction cost?

Total costs (including surgeon fee, assistant surgeon fee, anaesthetist fee, hospital, operating theatre and all follow-up visits):

What results can I expect?

To get an idea of possible results please visit our liposuction gallery.

Dr Barnouti will advise you on the best approach and expected outcome during your initial consultation.