SUMMARY

Liposuction is a commonly performed

body-contouring procedure which improves

the shape of your body and your self-

confidence.

A patient guide to understanding

Liposuction

North Shore Cosmetic Surgery is a group of PlasticSurgeons dedicated to providing a high standardof service to the North Shore.

All members are Fellows of the Royal AustralianCollege of Surgeons, Australian Society of PlasticSurgeons and Australian Society of AestheticPlastic Surgeons, and have been trained to thehighest possible standards.

AFTER THE SURGERY

After liposuction a compression garment must beworn for 4-6 weeks to minimise the bruising andswelling and help produce an even contour. Forareas on the abdomen, thighs or buttocks thisgarment is like a girdle, and can be worn undernormal clothes. Resting quietly in the first few dayswill also minimise the bruising and swelling. Theareas will feel tight and bruised, however mostpeople do not find the operation very painful.Recovery times vary with most people being able toreturn to normal everyday activities including drivingwithin 7-10 days. It is important to restrict heavieractivities including heavy lifting, exercise and gymwork for 2-3 weeks.

North Shore Cosmetic Surgery provides acomprehensive range of cosmetic andreconstructive plastic surgery procedures,as well as a full range of the latest skin care,lasers and aesthetic treatments.

www.infinityskin.com.au

Prepared by

Dr Charles CopeMBBS BSc(Med) FRACS

PRACTICE LOCATIONS

Dr Charles Cope

Level 1, 357 Military RdMosman 2088

Suite 507 SAN ClinicWahroonga 2076

www.drcharlescope.com.au

Ph: (02) 9908 3033

INTRODUCTION

Liposuction is a commonly performed body-contouringprocedure to improve the shape of your body. Thisoperation is often referred to as ‘liposculpture’. Theoperation is suitable for people with localised fattybulges, especially those that can not be removeddespite diet and regular exercise. A better result isobtained in patients with good skin tone, with little or nostretch marks, sagginess or cellulite.

Liposuction is not a weight loss operation, andpatients with significant amounts of loose skin arebest treated with body-contouring procedures thatremove loose skin eg abdominoplasty (tummy-tuck), thigh lift, buttock lift or arm lift. Liposuction iscommonly performed as part of these procedures.

The surgery results in an improved contour with adecrease in fatty bulges. Large amounts ofliposuction can reduce your waist measurementand clothing size, making it easier to find clothingthat is comfortable and flattering. The operation willalso improve your self-confidence.

PRE-OPERATIVE ASSESSMENT

As in all cosmetic surgery, it is important for you totell your surgeon the specific areas that concernyou. An assessment will also be made of anyloose skin, stretch marks, or cellulite, which mayaffect the result. It is important to discuss withyour surgeon any pre-existing medical conditionswhich you may have, as well as any problems withprevious operations or anaesthetics.

It is ideal for you to be as close as possible to yourtarget weight, as this optimises your final result.People contemplating significant weight loss arebest to defer surgery, as significant weight changeafter liposuction can affect the result.

Your surgeon will discuss the operation with you,show you photos of other patients who have hadthe procedure, and will give you writteninformation about the operation. Both theexpected result as well as the risks of theoperation will be explained.

PREPARING FOR THE SURGERY

If you smoke it is important to stop smoking atleast a few weeks before the surgery – smokingsignificantly increases the chance of healingproblems after the surgery.

Aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications eg Nurofen,and some vitamins and herbal medications cancause increased bleeding and these also need tobe stopped 10 days before the surgery.

THE SURGERY

Liposuction can be performed under localanaesthetic and sedation or general anaestheticdepending on the amount being performed, andusually takes 1-2 hours. Most patients go homethe same day, however if large amounts ofliposuction are performed then you may need tostay in hospital overnight.

A solution containing local anaesthetic and aproduct to minimise bruising and swelling isinjected into the area, and following this the fat isremoved using a suction tube through a few smallcuts. At the end of procedure padding and acompression garment is put on the area.