Keloid Scar Surgery
Combined surgical and medical treatment for keloid scars, which behave very differently from ordinary scars.
Liposuction
Overview
Liposuction removes localised deposits of fat through small cannulas to reshape a body contour. It is a contouring procedure, not a weight-loss procedure: it works best on discrete pockets of fat in someone close to a stable, healthy weight, and it does not treat loose skin, cellulite or generalised obesity.
Liposuction by treatment area
The core technique is the same everywhere, but the approach, downtime and typical session length shift depending on the area involved.
- Abdomen and waist — the most commonly treated area; often combined with flank (“love handle”) liposuction for a continuous contour.
- Thighs — inner and outer thighs are usually treated separately, since skin quality and fat distribution differ between the two.
- Arms — a smaller-volume area where skin elasticity matters more to the final result than in larger areas.
- Chin and neck — a compact area, frequently done under local anaesthesia alone, and often combined with a neck lift for older patients with looser skin.
- Back — a firmer, more fibrous area that typically needs a slightly more assertive technique than the abdomen.
Choosing a technique
Standard liposuction suits most cases. Two variations are used for specific goals: VASER liposuction uses ultrasound to liquefy fat before removal, and is often chosen for precision contouring around delicate areas. HD liposuction selectively sculpts around muscle groups to reveal definition, and needs a thinner, more even fat layer to work with than standard contouring.
Benefits of this treatment
Targeted contouring
Removes fat from specific areas that do not respond to diet and exercise, refining shape rather than reducing overall weight.
Quick procedure, quick recovery
Most areas are treated in under two hours with a return to light activity within days.
Combines well with other procedures
Often performed alongside a tummy tuck, breast surgery or gynaecomastia correction in a single session.
Minimal visible scarring
Cannula entry points are only a few millimetres and are placed in inconspicuous creases.
How the procedure is performed
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1
10 minutes
Marking
Treatment areas are marked with you standing, since the plan changes once you are lying down.
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2
15 minutes
Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia with sedation, or general anaesthesia, depending on the number and size of areas treated.
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3
45–120 minutes
Fat removal
A tumescent fluid is infused to reduce bleeding and bruising, then fat is removed through small cannulas in a crosshatch pattern for an even result.
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4
10 minutes
Compression
A compression garment is fitted immediately to control swelling and support the new contour from the outset.
Recovery and aftercare
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Days 1–3
Soreness and swelling
Treated areas feel bruised and tender, similar to intense muscle soreness. Compression garment worn continuously.
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Days 4–7
Easing off
Discomfort reduces; most people return to desk-based work within this window.
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Weeks 2–4
Contour emerging
Swelling continues to subside and the new shape becomes more apparent, though it is still not final.
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Months 2–6
Final result
Remaining swelling resolves and the skin fully redrapes over the new contour.
Risks and side effects
Bruising and swelling
Expected after any liposuction and generally the most visible sign of the procedure in the first few weeks.
Contour irregularity
Minor unevenness can occur, especially in the initial healing phase, and often improves as swelling resolves.
Numbness
Temporary reduced sensation over treated areas is common and typically recovers over weeks to months.
Skin laxity
In patients with borderline skin elasticity, the skin may not fully redrape, occasionally warranting a skin-tightening procedure afterwards.
Rarer complications
- Fluid accumulation (seroma) — A pocket of fluid can occasionally collect under the skin and may need to be drained.
- Infection — Uncommon with sterile technique and appropriate aftercare, but fever or spreading redness should be reported promptly.
- Deep vein thrombosis — A rare but serious risk with any procedure requiring anaesthesia — early mobilisation reduces the risk significantly.
What it costs
What affects the price
Number of areas
Treating multiple areas (e.g. abdomen plus flanks) in one session costs more than a single area.
Volume of fat removed
Larger-volume cases take longer under anaesthesia and cost proportionately more.
Anaesthesia type
General anaesthesia for larger cases adds to the overall cost compared with local anaesthesia with sedation.
Combination procedures
Pairing liposuction with a tummy tuck or breast procedure is usually more cost-effective than two separate sessions.
Frequently asked questions
Treated fat cells are permanently removed. If you gain significant weight afterwards, remaining fat cells elsewhere can still enlarge, so a stable weight protects the result.
No — liposuction removes fat, while a tummy tuck also removes excess skin and repairs separated abdominal muscles. Many patients need one, the other, or both.
This is assessed individually based on your health, weight and the areas involved — safety limits the volume more than any cosmetic preference.
Initial improvement is visible within a few weeks, but final contour is usually assessed at 3–6 months once all swelling has resolved.
Related
Treatments patients also consider
Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)
Removal of excess abdominal skin and repair of separated abdominal muscles.
Neck Lift
Surgical tightening of loose neck skin and the platysma muscle band.
Revision Rhinoplasty
Corrective surgery for a nose that did not heal as planned after a previous rhinoplasty.
Next step
Considering Liposuction?
Book a consultation and get a straight answer on whether this is right for you, what it involves, and what it will cost. No obligation to proceed.
- A private, unhurried assessment with the surgeon
- An honest view of what is realistically achievable
- A written quote with no hidden costs
- Complete confidentiality