Liposuction Surgery

Are you finding it hard to get rid of excess body fat? Liposuction can be an effective solution if other methods aren't working. Transform is one of the leading providers of liposuction surgery in the UK – and we're here to help you get the body shape you want.

- Free, no-obligation consultation
- All surgeons GMC-registered
- CQC/HIS/HIW regulated clinics and hospitals
- Industry-leading aftercare

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Enhance how you look, change how you feel

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You so deserve this

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Time to focus on you

Sometimes, certain parts of your body can be difficult to shape and define. You could be taking part in regular exercising and eating a healthy diet. But it's so frustrating when your excess fat simply refuses to shift. So, what can you do? One option that could help is liposuction surgery.

You might have heard the term before, but still find yourself asking "what is liposuction". Well, it's a popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the UK that can remove any stubborn fatty deposits permanently. It's fast, it's effective, and it can help to better sculpt various parts of your body.

It's usually performed on the buttocks, thighs and stomach. That said, liposuction might also be used to shape your hips, knees, neck, upper arms, and male breasts. Ultimately, it can reshape specific problem areas of the body by getting rid of stubborn pockets of fat.

The procedure is sometimes known as fat removal surgery, fat reduction surgery, lipoplasty, or liposculpture. And because your body shouldn't replace the fat cells removed from these areas, it's regarded as a long-lasting surgical solution to excess fat.

Enhance how you look, change how you feel

Do you have problem areas where excess body fat refuses to shift despite a healthy lifestyle? Looking to improve your body contour? Are you a weight loss patient who wants to get rid of residual areas of fat? Or maybe you have gynaecomastia – a condition where fatty breast tissue develops in men? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes", liposuction might be the right choice for you.

No matter what your reason for deciding to have liposuction, it's extremely important that you are psychologically ready for the procedure. You must also have realistic expectations of what may be achieved. But this is something we can discuss when you book your free consultation.

There may be other reasons to consider liposuction too:

For people who perspire excessively, liposuction can target sweat glands.
The procedure can remove lipomas – fatty, benign tumours.
It can treat lipodystrophy syndrome, a condition where fat accumulates in one area of the body. Liposuction can help to redistribute fat from one part of the body to another as part of a fat transfer procedure.

Let’s delve into the detail

Liposuction is as safe as any other surgical procedure. But that doesn't mean there are no risks involved. You need to be aware of any potential risks – however small. That way, you're able to weigh these up against the benefits that surgery can bring.

Your surgeon and surgeon assistant are happy to talk you through any possible complications and provide you with detailed information. But, as a guide, the risks include bruising, swelling, scars, stiffness, numbness, inflammation, bleeding after surgery, and changes in skin colour.

You, reimagined

At your consultation, we will assess your overall health, skin quality, and the amount of fat you want to be removed. After that, we'll talk you through what a liposuction operation involves.

To be a good candidate for the procedure, you'll be of average (or just above average) weight. It's best to try to optimise your health prior to any liposuction surgery so that you are as fit as possible before treatment.

Regular exercise, eating healthily, having a stable weight, a BMI of under 30, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and avoiding recreational drugs are all recommended.

Liposuction patients may find surgery provides a range of benefits. Achieving a more contoured and proportional body can boost your self-confidence and sense of wellbeing. You may feel able to wear a wider choice of clothes. And seeing your enhanced body shape can be a real incentive to keep in shape too.

You so deserve this

As a responsible provider of cosmetic surgery, we understand that each individual's procedure is different. So, all our treatment plans are tailored specifically around your own unique needs. It'll also mean how much liposuction costs will vary based on the area(s) you're having treated.

We put a great deal of importance on our free face-to-face, no-obligation consultations. They're your chance to discuss your requirements with your surgeon assistant. In return, they'll provide a detailed overview of the surgery cost and the various payment plans we have available.

Of course, you can pay for your liposuction procedure outright. But you can spread the cost out over several years if you wish via our flexible finance plans. Please view our pricing and finance page to read more about these.

Fast Facts

Surgical Time: 1 - 3 Hours

Time Off Work: 1 Week

Hospital Stay: 1 Night

Full Recovery: 6 Weeks

Pressure Garment: 8 Weeks

Exercise: 6 Weeks

Scarring: Minimal

Final Results: 1 - 3 Months

Local anaesthetic: Day case procedure

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Patient Stories

Nicola Gaffey

Having lost quite a lot of weight a few years earlier, she decided that if she managed to keep it off, she would have surgery to remove all the excess skin that the weight loss had left.

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Before and after

Before and afters photo's from our liposuction and tummy tuck patients.

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FAQ

Liposuction Surgery FAQs

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WHY CHOOSE TRANSFORM?

When you're thinking about a cosmetic procedure, you need to trust the people you're putting yourself in the care of. At Transform, we help thousands of patients each year to achieve their body goals – and we've been doing so since 1974. Here are a few key reasons to choose us:

We provide a national network of CQC-registered clinics and specialist hospitals
You'll have pre- and post-op appointments to ensure the success of your surgery
All our highly skilled surgeons and registered with the General Medical Council
We're members of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners and Independent Healthcare Providers Network
Our flexible payment plans can include a 0% option when you spread the cost

HOW DOES LIPOSUCTION WORK?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure where pockets of fat are sucked out of the body. A thin tube called a cannula is inserted into your body through tiny incisions in the skin. After loosening the fat, a suction device is connected to the cannula. Fat can also be removed via syringe. When it's complete, the incisions are sewn up.

What areas can be treated by liposuction?

We can perform liposuction on many parts of the body: stomach, hips, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, knees, neck, jowls, upper arms, male breasts, calves, ankles, or the back. But some areas aren't suitable due to the risk of complications occurring, or the development of contour irregularities. Book a free consultation to find out what's possible with your fat loss ambitions.

IS LIPOSUCTION PERMANENT?

Any fat cells removed during the procedure are removed permanently. If you gain weight after surgery, however, this will create new fat cells. These will usually be found in different parts of your body. To keep your new shape after surgery, you should follow a healthy lifestyle.

HOW MUCH DOES LIPOSUCTION COST IN THE UK?

Each patient's individual procedure is different and is tailored specifically to their needs. As a result, the cost of liposuction can vary. Your surgeon assistant will provide you with this estimate during your free consultation. Of course, cost will be an important factor on whether you proceed with surgery. But you should consider it alongside other factors, such as level of care, patient safety, and surgeon experience.

Can liposuction help me lose weight?

Liposuction is an extremely effective procedure that can provide a shapelier figure and make your body look more in proportion. But it is not a weight loss procedure in itself and is not a treatment for obesity. The amount of fat extracted won't result in significant weight loss.

What it will do, however, is shape problem areas that remain resistant to lifestyle changes. So, if regular exercise and eating a healthy, balanced diet haven't worked so far, you might wish to consider liposuction to help you achieve your body goals.

How long does liposuction surgery take?

Liposuction usually takes between one and three hours – depending on how much fat is being removed and the area that's being treated.

How long will I have to stay in hospital?

After your liposuction surgery, it's possible you can return home on the same day. Equally, you might prefer to stay overnight in one of our hospitals. You can discuss this – among other details – with us before your procedure.

LIPOSUCTION RECOVERY TIME: WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

Liposuction recovery time is usually quite quick. You should be able to go back to work after a few days, but we do generally advise that you take a week off to ensure the best recovery.

What is the maximum amount of fat that can be removed during liposuction?

It can be anything between three and four litres of fat per operation. If you need more fat than this removed, our consultants may recommend multiple surgeries. Alternatively, you could also be referred to our sister company The Hospital Group for a weight loss consultation.

HOW LONG WILL I NEED TO WEAR A PRESSURE GARMENT FOR?

This needs to be worn after your liposuction surgery for between one and eight weeks. This is going to depend on the advice you receive from your surgeon.

HOW LONG AFTER LIPOSUCTION WILL I SEE RESULTS?

The results after liposuction are not immediate. But you will begin to see improvements after four weeks and then a constant improvement for up to three months.

IS LIPOSUCTION SAFE?

No surgical procedure is risk-free – but liposuction is no less safe as any other operation. Risks of liposuction can include bruising, loose skin, infection, bleeding after surgery, or irregularities of the skin. Your patient advisor will go through all the details with you, and provide you with a detailed guide so you know what's what.

What's the difference between vaser and surgical liposuction?

Vaser liposuction uses ultrasound to target the fat cells. Traditional surgical liposuction involves making incisions in the skin.

HOW PAINFUL IS LIPOSUCTION SURGERY?

Different people have different pain thresholds, but liposuction isn't usually particularly painful. In rare cases, where you do experience some pain, it can be controlled for a number of days.

DOES LIPOSUCTION LEAVE SCARS?

The scars are small (just a few millimetres in length) and generally fade within a few months.

What happens if I gain weight after liposuction surgery?

If you gain weight after liposuction, the area treated can also gain some of this weight. However, if you keep a healthy lifestyle and diet, you can continue to have the same results post-treatment.

Next steps

Behind the scenes care to help you take centre stage

Your first appointment

You’ll talk to your surgeon assistant over the phone, and can discuss why you’re considering liposuction surgery, the likely costs and available finance options. Whenever you decide to book a surgery date, you can secure it for a minimum refundable deposit of £500. If you feel ready to move forward on your liposuction journey, we will book your appointment for a free consultation with your surgeon.

Your surgical consultation

During your free consultation, your surgeon will talk to you about what you’d like to achieve from your liposuction treatment. This is your opportunity to discuss every aspect of your procedure and get the answers that you’re looking for. This surgical consultation can be carried out either over video chat or in person at your local clinic.

Our liposuction surgeons are specialists and will provide the information that will help you to make your decision regarding liposuction treatment. Your surgeon will be able to advise you based on the area you’re looking to have treated, the amount of fat that would require to be removed and your medical history.

If you feel ready to go ahead and book your surgery, they’ll then refer you to a clinic nurse who’ll carry out some pre-op tests and procedures.

THE LIPOSUCTION SURGERY

On the day of your surgery, you’ll meet with your surgeon to complete your consent form and ask any last-minute questions. You’ll then be introduced to the rest of your surgical team before you go into theatre.

Surgical liposuction removes fat through a suction pump or syringe, typically from areas of stubborn fat in arms, thighs, stomach, bottom, hips, chin or knees. The procedure usually takes between one and three hours, depending on the amount of fat to be removed, and it can be carried out under local or general anaesthetic.

Recovery

We’ll be on hand throughout your recovery process to help you recuperate quickly and safely. If you have had a local anaesthetic, you may be able to return home the same day, but general anaesthetic patients may need to have an overnight stay in one of our hospitals.

Your surgeon will check that you’re properly recovered from the operation before discharging you. Before you leave hospital, your nurse will talk to you about the importance of wearing a pressure garment, and we’ll make an appointment for you to see your surgeon again to check on your progress. The surgeon may also recommend arranging a massage post-operatively.

At this stage you won’t be able to drive, and so you’ll need to make sure that you’ve made alternative arrangements to get home.

Aftercare

We believe that high quality aftercare is just as important as the surgery itself. You’ll need to give your body plenty of time to heal, and we’ll provide you with you detailed guidance on the best way to achieve this.

The improved overall appearance of your treated areas will become apparent in the months following your procedure. We recommend that you wear a pressure garment for between one to eight weeks following the procedure, which will help you achieve the best results.

After your treatment, you can contact our 24/7 helpline with any questions or concerns. You’ll also have a series of follow up appointments with the Transform team to make sure you’re healing well and making good progress. For your peace of mind, all cosmetic surgery patients have access to our two-year aftercare programme.