Liposuction is also known as lipoplasty, liposculpture or body contouring. It’s a surgical procedure which can remove excess fat from areas of the body which have proved resistant to diet and exercise, including the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, flanks (‘love handles’), face and neck. It achieves this by suctioning the fat out of the body via a thin tube called a cannula.

This type of treatment can be effective if you’re at or near your goal weight yet still have areas of fat that you find impossible to remove.

Liposuction can help to permanently eliminate pockets of fat which diet and exercise have failed to shift. It can be carried out in various areas of the body including the abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, chest (for gynaecomastia) calves, ankles, chest, back, chin and neck.

Some of the benefits that liposuction can include:

• Helping to improve the overall shape and contours of the body by removing fat from certain areas
• Providing permanent results as the fat cells that are removed won’t return
• Minimal scarring when compared to other surgical procedures
• Boosting self-confidence through improved body image

Can make areas of the body more in proportion

As with any surgical procedure, liposuction carries certain risks and potential complications. Your surgeon will discuss these with you at your consultation, but as a guide they might include:

• Infection
• Bruising
• Fluid buildup (known as seroma)
• Bruising
• Discomfort
• Changes in sensation
• Scarring
• Swelling

Liposuction is normally performed while you are under local anaesthetic, which means that the area being treated will be numbed while the procedure is carried out.

Your surgeon will begin by injecting the area being treated with an anaesthetic solution to minimize any swelling and bruising. Tiny cuts are then made in the skin and a cannula (thin tube) is inserted. It’s used to loosen the fat before a special suction device is attached to it and the surgeon moves it back and forward to loosen the excess fat before it’s sucked from the body.

Your surgeon will drain any excess fluid, then apply glue to the incisions and apply a dressing and garment to the area that’s been treated.

To be a potential candidate for liposuction, you’ll have areas of stubborn fat which are resistant to a healthy diet and exercise and you’ll have a good degree of skin elasticity. You should also understand what might be achievable from liposuction and have realistic expectations about your possible results.

You should be over 18, at or close to your goal weight, and in good general health if you’re considering any kind of cosmetic surgery.

After liposuction, you might experience some initial discomfort as swelling will make the area sore and the garment feel tight, but this will improve as you start to heal. The garment is very important – you should continue to wear this as directed, as it will help your recovery and results. To help make your recovery as speedy as possible, you should avoid any kind of exercise for the first 7 days following your surgery.

After this, you’ll be able to start light exercise, and at around the 3-week mark you can build this up to more strenuous activity. You should be able to restart all of your usual daily activities, including lifting heavy weights, between 4 and 6 weeks post-op. Generally, it can take up to 6 months for any swelling to disappear and for you to see your final results.

To maintain these results, you should follow a healthy lifestyle after your liposuction, which will also help to prevent weight gain in other areas of your body.