Liposuction

As a responsible provider of cosmetic surgery, we know that each individual's procedure is different and will be tailored specifically around the customer. This means that costs for liposuction can vary, but you will be given an idea of costs at your consultation.

Liposuction usually takes between one and three hours, depending on how much fat has to be removed and the area being treated.

After your liposuction surgery, you may be able to return home the same day, or you may prefer an overnight stay in one of our hospitals. You can discuss this, amongst other details, before your procedure.

The recovery time after liposuction is usually quite quick and you should be able to go back to work after a few days. We generally advise that you take a week off to ensure the best recovery.

This can be anything between three and four litres of fat per operation. If you need more fat than this removed, our consultants are likely to recommend multiple surgeries, or refer you to our sister company The Hospital Group for a weight loss consultation.

Liposuction can treat any area of the body, but popular areas include hips, thighs, stomach, chin, knees and the buttocks.

This will need to be worn post-surgery for between one and eight weeks, depending on the advice of your surgeon.

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

All types of surgery carry a level of risk. For liposuction these can include bruising, loose skin, infection, bleeding after surgery and irregularities of the skin. Your patient advisor will go through all the details and provide you with a detailed guide.

Vaser liposuction uses ultrasound to target fat cells, whereas traditional liposuction involves surgery and making incisions in the skin.

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

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

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.

The first step is to meet your patient advisor. You’ll be able to talk to them about why you’re considering liposuction surgery, the likely costs and finance options, how much time you’ll probably need to take off work, and when you’d like to have the surgery. If you feel ready, we’ll then book you in for your free consultation with one of our surgeons.

At your free consultation, your surgeon will ask you about the results you want to achieve from the surgery. You can discuss every aspect of your liposuction – from the different methods and recovery time to the benefits and risks – with no obligation to go ahead. Our surgeons are extremely knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions you have. There are various methods of liposuction, from surgical liposuction for larger body areas to the less invasive procedures including vaser liposuction. Depending on the area you’re having treated, the amount of fat to be removed and your medical history, your surgeon will discuss the best technique for you. If you feel ready to go ahead and book your surgery, they’ll then refer you to a clinic nurse who’ll perform some pre-op tests and procedures.

On the day of your surgery, you’ll meet with your surgeon so you can go through the consent form and ask any last-minute questions. You’ll then be introduced to the rest of your surgical team before going into theatre. The procedure itself will differ according to the chosen method of liposuction – surgical or vaser. Surgical liposuction involves fat being sucked either via pump or syringe, typically from areas of stubborn fat in arms, thighs, stomach, bottom, hips, chin or knees. The small incisions often do not require any stitches so will heal by themselves. The surgery usually takes between one and three hours, depending on the amount of fat to be removed, and it can be done under local or general anaesthetic. Vaser (vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance) liposuction is a less invasive procedure that uses ultrasound technology to break down fat cells without damaging the surrounding tissue. The fat is then removed through a gentle suction process. It is typically used for areas such as the stomach, ‘love handles’ (flanks), back, thighs, arms and chin, and it can be used on a number of different areas in a single procedure. Vaser liposuction usually takes between one and three hours, depending on the number of areas you want to treat, and it can be done under local or general anaesthetic.

We’ll be here throughout the recovery process to help you recuperate quickly and safely. Vaser liposuction patients often experience a shorter recovery time than with surgical liposuction because the procedure is less invasive. If you have a local anaesthetic you may be able to return home the same day, but with a general anaesthetic, and often with surgical liposuction, an overnight stay in one of our Transform hospitals may be needed. Your surgeon will check that you’re properly recovered from the operation before discharging you. At this stage, you’ll feel very sore from your operation and won’t be able to drive, so you’ll need to make sure that you’ve made arrangements to get home. Before you go home your nurse will talk to you about the importance of wearing a pressure garment. We’ll also make an appointment for you to see your surgeon again to check on your progress.

We believe that the highest quality aftercare is just as important as the surgery itself, so we’re here to support you. You’ll need to give your body plenty of time to heal and we’ll give you detailed guidance on the best way to do this. With vaser liposuction, there may be less scarring and bruising than with surgical liposuction, so visible results can be seen more quickly. However, with both methods, the improved overall appearance of the treated areas will become apparent in the months following the procedure. For best results, we recommend that a pressure garment should be worn for anything between one to eight weeks following the procedure. If you have any questions or concerns at all, you can contact our 24/7 helpline. You’ll also have a series of follow up appointments with the Transform team to make sure you’re healing well. All patients have access to our three-year aftercare programme as standard and you’ll have the option to extend cover to up to 10 years.