The Procedure

Liposuction is usually carried out under general anaesthetic, though an epidural may be used instead for procedures on the lower body. The surgeon marks the areas to be treated, then injects a solution containing anaesthetic and medicine to reduce blood loss, bruising and swelling. Fat cells are broken up using high-frequency vibrations, a weak laser pulse, or a high-pressure water jet, before a small cut is made to insert a suction tube connected to a vacuum machine — several cuts may be needed for larger areas. The tube is moved back and forth to loosen and remove the fat, excess fluid and blood are drained, and the area is stitched and bandaged.

The procedure usually takes 1 to 3 hours, and most people need to stay in hospital overnight afterwards. Afterwards, you'll be fitted with an elasticated support corset or compression bandages, worn constantly for several weeks to help reduce swelling and bruising, alongside antibiotics to reduce infection risk and mild painkillers for comfort.

What to Expect

If you have a general anaesthetic, you'll need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. How soon you can return to work or drive depends on your job and how much of your body was treated — your surgeon can advise on timing specific to you. The bandage or corset can be removed for showering, and general movement and walking should be fine, though it's best to avoid anything more strenuous for the first couple of weeks.

Results aren't always noticeable straight away, since swelling can take up to 6 months to fully settle. As a general guide, stitches (unless dissolvable) are usually removed after about a week, gentle exercise is often possible from around 3 to 4 weeks, and strenuous activity should generally be avoided for 10 to 12 weeks — always check the specific timeline with your surgeon.

Common Side Effects

It's common to experience bruising and swelling, which can last up to 6 months, along with numbness that usually resolves within 6 to 8 weeks, some scarring, inflammation of the treated area, fluid coming from the cuts, and swollen ankles if the legs were treated.

Possible Complications

Liposuction can occasionally result in lumpy or uneven results, bleeding under the skin (haematoma), persistent numbness lasting months, changes in skin colour in the treated area, fluid build-up in the lungs from the injected solution, a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), or, rarely, damage to internal organs during the procedure. As with any operation, there's also a small general risk of excessive bleeding, blood clots, infection, or an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic. Occasionally, people find the desired result wasn't achieved and feel they need a further procedure.

Choosing a Surgeon

In England, check that any clinic or hospital offering liposuction is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which publishes inspection reports and ratings to help you choose care. Any surgeon should also be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) — it's worth checking their fitness-to-practise history, how many of their liposuction procedures have led to complications, what follow-up is offered if something goes wrong, and their patient satisfaction rates.

If Something Goes Wrong

Contact the clinic where your operation was carried out as soon as possible if you have severe pain or unexpected symptoms. If you're unhappy with your results or believe the procedure wasn't carried out properly, raise this with your surgeon through the hospital or clinic first. You can also contact the CQC with concerns about your care, or raise a concern about a doctor directly with the GMC if necessary.