Getting liposuction can be a daunting procedure and going under anaesthetic can be unsettling for some. It is absolutely normal to have questions and concerns around this. For those looking for answers, this article will help you feel more at ease.

Lifestyle changes, such as diets and exercise, are difficult, and sometimes, as hard as you try, you may not get the results you desire. Those stubborn areas of fat may bother you and make you feel less at home in your body. Liposuction can assist with creating a physique you want, targeting the areas that make you most unhappy.

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What Is Liposuction? 

Liposuction is an invasive surgical procedure which is performed to remove excess fat, and shape and contour the body.

It is performed under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the patient, and during the procedure, the doctor will suck fat out of small areas which are difficult to target with diet or exercise. This is done through a small incision and using a suction tube. During the medical intervention, medication is injected into the treatment area, breaking down the fat cells which are later removed.

The common misconception is that it has to be performed across multiple areas of the body. When in fact, it can also be used to treat specific, localised concerns.

After the procedure, patients will see a more contoured body that often helps improve their self-confidence.

Interesting to note that in South Africa, liposuction is the top surgical procedure.

Who Can Get Liposuction?

Liposuction does not discriminate: Both women and men go for liposuction procedures, despite the fact that globally, liposuction is the most common surgical procedure among women, even above breast augmentation. No matter your gender, liposuction results in an increase in body confidence and feeling more comfortable in one’s body. Yes, aesthetically, it looks great, but the psychological benefits outweigh this. 

Those looking to further elevate their appearance after trying to change their lifestyle but have lingering concerns are a perfect fit for this procedure. Changes in diet and exercise are a recommended starting point, but there are often areas of the body that are resistant to these lifestyle changes. Liposuction is there to refine and sculpt the areas of concern. Not only do you feel more confident, but the treatment can encourage you to continue on your healthy lifestyle journey long-term to maintain your post-surgical body.

If you are someone who may be looking for an enhanced appearance of a six-pack that has been developed through exercise, there is a popular procedure called abdominal etching. This treatment removes small amounts of fat, producing a more defined look of the abdominal muscles, enhancing the appearance.

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How is Liposuction Done?

There are several steps involved in this procedure. 

Once you get the anaesthetic, a solution will be injected in the targeted area. This solution can contain the anaesthetic or medication which will prevent swelling and bruising.

The next step is conducted by using high-frequency vibrations, whereby the doctor treats the targeted area with the frequency that breaks up the fat cells. There are other methods that can be used for this, such as a high-pressure water jet or a weak laser pulse.

After the cells are broken up, the doctor makes a small cut on the area and inserts a suction tube. This tube sucks the fat out with the help of a vacuum machine. To facilitate this process, the doctor moves the suction tube back and forth to extract as many fat cells as possible.

Finally, the excess fluid and blood are drained, and the doctor stitches up the incisions and finishes the procedure.

The whole process can last several hours, and usually, the patients stay in the hospital for at least one night for observation.

Which Areas Does Liposuction Treat?

The most common treatment areas include:

• Abdomen and waist
• Flanks (love handles)
• Chin, cheeks, and neck

Other areas that can also be treated include:

• Arms
• Thighs
• Hips
• Buttocks
• Knees
• Chest
• Back
• Inner knee, calves, and ankles

Is Liposuction Dangerous?

Like any surgical procedure, liposuction does come with some risks. There are common side effects, including swelling, bruising, scaring, and inflammation.

There are other less-common side effects or risks, such as lumps and unevenness, bleeding under the skin, numbness in the treated area even after eight weeks, and pulmonary oedema or embolism. Lastly, the biggest risk is potential damage to the internal organs, which can happen during the procedure or from infection.

In most cases, these side effects are minuscule, but it is important to be aware of these, even if the chances are very small.

Is Liposuction Right For You?

It is important to note that the best solution for areas of excess fat is diet and exercise, and that a surgical method such as liposuction should be the last resort.

There are factors to determine whether you are a suitable candidate, being overall health, body weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI), but these are less important than age.

The best candidates are those who maintain a healthy lifestyle but continue to struggle with stubborn pockets of fat despite regular exercise and a balanced diet.

Besides treating obesity or excess fat with diet and exercise first, there are some other conditions you should meet to be a good liposuction candidate. You should be within 30% of the ideal weight for your body type, you should also have elastic, firm skin, and preferably be a non-smoker.

According to an article on liposuction published in the Indian journal of plastic surgery, liposuction has successfully been performed on patients from 14 to 67 years old, who differ in weight from 45kg to 178kg. This shows that almost everyone can be a candidate for liposuction, but it is best to consult Dr Filipe to determine your individual effectiveness.

If you have cellulite and want to attend to this, do not expect to lose the cellulite if you treat your legs with liposuction. If you have a cellulite issue, consult Dr Filipe to determine the effectiveness of liposuction in your case.

Liposuction is not a simple, non-invasive cosmetic procedure. You should carefully consider every aspect of it since this is a serious surgical procedure, which carries a certain degree of risk with it. It can be used both for cosmetic and health purposes, but the best way to find out whether you are a good candidate for this procedure is to consult Dr Filipe.

Are the Results from Liposuction Permanent?

Once fat cells are removed, they do not grow back. 

However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is encouraged to preserve the results. Future weight gain is naturally still possible, but the treated areas generally retain their shape because the fat cells have been permanently reduced.

There is research stating that if you gain substantial weight, the areas of the body not treated by liposuction will gain fat, while the areas where the liposuction was performed will not.

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How Long Is Recovery After Liposuction?

Liposuction is not very invasive, but it is still a surgical procedure and requires time for your body to heal.

Most patients are able to return to normal activities within a couple of weeks, although recovery varies depending on the treatment area.

Generally:

• Abdomen: 1–3 months
• Thighs: 3–4 months
• Flanks: 2–4 months
• Neck: often the quickest recovery

Choosing the Right Surgeon

Deciding on to do a procedure is the first step but finding the best plastic surgeon is the most important decision you will make. Simply starting with a consult can be helpful to make you feel comfortable, ease concerns, and give you all the information you need.

With Dr. Filipe, he will give you honest advice, personalised recommendations, and a discreet, supportive experience to help determine whether liposuction is the right option for you. Together, you’ll explore the best path forward based on your goals and anatomy.

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