Liposuction & Body Contouring

One of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgical procedures is liposuction, which involves the surgical removal of fatty deposits in specific areas of the body. This procedure is very well suited to the person who has diet and exercise resistant fat accumulations.

With the recent development of advanced techniques, body contouring using liposuction can be done safely and effectively when performed by a fully qualified plastic surgeon.

Liposuction is not intended as a substitute for weight loss in the obese. But for the average well-nourished body, the removal of excessive fat bulges in certain areas can result in more pleasing and better balanced body proportions overall. Almost any area of the face or body may benefit from fat removal, but most usually, this is done on the thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, knees and neck.

When fat is removed, the fat cells are removed permanently and the body does not produce more fat cells to replace them. In the treated areas, because the number of fat cells is reduced, fat will not accumulate disproportionately in those areas. Rather, if there is a weight gain, fat will be more evenly distributed throughout the body. However, in order to maintain the desired result, weight must remain stable.

The two liposuction techniques most commonly used are Tumescent and Ultrasonic. Tumescent involves the infusion of fluids into the area, and Ultrasonic liquefies the fat through the application of high frequency sound energy. With either approach, (which are often used in conjunction), the fat is removed by the insertion of small blunt hollow tubes (called cannulas) through tiny openings in the skin. Wherever possible, these openings (about 3-4 millimetres) are placed in natural crease lines of the skin or positioned where they will be least visible. These scars soon heal to become virtually invisible.

After surgery, the use of an elasticised compression garment in the area of re-contouring is required to help with the recovery of the skin and underlying soft tissue.

As liposuction only removes fat and not skin, the surgeon will advise you whether excess skin may also need to be removed to obtain the desired result.

Other body contouring procedures available include abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), buttock lift, thigh lift and calf implants. Sometimes these surgeries are done in combination with liposuction.

Usually two full consultations with the surgeon are necessary before the surgical plan is finalised. This ensures that both you and the surgeon are in full agreement regarding the expected outcome and that you feel completely comfortable with your decision to have surgery.

As well as discussing the surgical procedures in detail, you will also be told about post-operative care, surgery costs, and have all of your questions answered fully.