Liposuction, or suction assisted lipectomy, is a body contouring procedure to remove fat deposits from body areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction is a common cosmetic treatment for both men and women and can produce very effective results in popular areas including the abdomen, inner and outer thighs, hips, waist, buttocks, inner knees, arms and chin.

The ideal candidates for liposuction are fit and healthy people with good skin tone and discrete pockets of unwanted fat. Following liposuction it is still necessary to exercise and maintain a balanced diet. Liposuction is not designed as a weight loss treatment, nor will it remove existing cellulite or improve stretch marks. Moderate amounts of skin will contract and ‘take up’ over a period of 3 to 6 months post liposuction.

Liposuction is commonly performed using the ‘tumescent technique’ where large amounts of fluid and local anaesthetic are injected through small incisions. This helps to reduce unwanted bleeding. A liposuction cannula is then passed into the softened fat cells and suction through the cannula removes the fatty tissue and fluid.