If you have stubborn pockets of body fat that no amount of exercise or dieting can shift then liposuction could be for you. The procedure is not a quick-fix weight loss treatment for obesity – it is designed to contour and improve the shape of your body and is best suited to people who are a healthy weight but have areas of fat they can’t get rid of.
Am I a Candidate?
The ideal candidate for a liposuction procedure is someone of a healthy, stable weight with good quality skin who has pockets of fat in specific areas that they would like removed. It can also be used in combination with other treatments – such as breast reduction – to create a balanced body.
The Surgery
Fluid with local anaesthetic and adrenaline is injected into the areas to be treated. Small incisions are made around the area to be treated and a cannula is inserted and moved around under the skin. The cannula breaks up unwanted fat so that it can be removed with the assistance of suction. The overlying skin must be able to contract over the smaller area that remains after fat removal.
Recovery
A compression garment is worn for up to six weeks to help reduce swelling. You should expect some bruising, swelling and irregularities in the early postop period that should settle in time.
