
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat accumulations from specific areas of your body, including legs, buttocks and hips, waist and abdomen, breasts, chest and back, overdeveloped male breasts, the back of the upper arms, and the neck and chin.
Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Liposuction is an aesthetic procedure for reducing pockets of fat. The removal of any more than 5L of fat during any surgical operation is highly unsafe and may result in serious surgical complications.
In my practice liposuction is a component of most surgeries I perform. Liposuction is widely offered by cosmetic surgical clinics but without the ability to excise the loose skin that can be the result of liposuction the result can be poor.
Dr Alastair Taylor (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | The Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons | Provider No. MED0001401767)
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Liposuction, also known as lipectomy or lipoplasty, is a procedure that removes fat deposits using a thin metal tube or cannula, which is inserted into subcutaneous fat and suctions it out. This is done to debulk the fat, not remove all of it, as some fat is required to maintain skin shape and firmness.
It is used to contour the body’s proportions by removing excess fat deposits to reshape specific areas of the body. It can be used on its own to modify the shape of legs, buttocks and hips, waist and abdomen, breasts, chest and back, overdeveloped male breasts (gynaecomastia), the back of the upper arms, and the neck and chin.
Liposuction is also utilised to reshape the body at the site of previous surgery or trauma, to remove lipomas (large fatty tumors), or as part of other plastic surgery procedures such as abdominoplasty and reduction mammaplasty.
The liposuction operation can take 1 to 3 hours, and is performed under general anaesthetic and requires an overnight stay in the hospital. You will require 2 to 3 weeks off work and up to 6 weeks before returning to normal activity. You will also wear a compression garment after your operation, to minimize swelling and to support your operation site as it heals.
Bruising, swelling and pain are to be expected. Liposuction is uncomfortable and often patients describe the straightening up process like a ‘Chinese burn’. Taking regular oral pain medication can assist you to be more comfortable.
Liposuction is NOT a weight loss procedure, but rather a procedure for reducing pockets of fat. It will not improve cellulite or stretch marks, as these are not related to fat accumulation beneath the skin.
Liposuction is best performed in patients with firm skin. The skin needs to contract after removal of the underlying fat. Loose stretch marked skin doesn’t contract well, leaving a wrinkled soft appearance.
Liposuction is offered as a quick fix, however, I believe it requires careful assessment and planning to ensure contouring is safe and effective.
Dr Alastair Taylor (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | The Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons | Provider No. MED0001401767)ANY SURGICAL OR INVASIVE PROCEDURE CARRIES RISKS. BEFORE PROCEEDING, YOU SHOULD SEEK A SECOND OPINION FROM AN APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED HEALTH PRACTITIONER (EG. YOUR GP).
Dr Alastair Taylor (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | The Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons | Provider No. MED0001401767) will discuss the general and specific risks during your consultation, where you can ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have. Is it important that you have enough information to weigh up the benefits, risks and limitations of your surgery. You will also be provided with more information to take home and read, and discuss with your family or loved ones.
Risks specifically associated with liposuction surgery may include:
Some general risks and complications of surgery may include:
Liposuction surgery is usually performed at Sole’vita Surgery, though may be performed at Calvary John James Hospital in Deakin or National Capital Private Hospital. Dr Taylor will discuss this further, and any options available to you, during your consultation.
Your surgery may be booked at our private hospital, Sole’vita Surgery, a licensed medical hospital accredited under the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. Sole’ vita Surgery is part of The CAPS Clinic, with all services conveniently based in the one location in Deakin, Canberra.
Our facilities include modern surgical theatres, sterilisation services and recovery areas. Our overnight rooms feature flexible privacy glass-panelling and personal ensuite.
All of the Sole’ vita team are fully qualified and registered medical personnel, with no more than 5 patients staying at once, our patient-to-nursing-care ratio is very high.
In some cases, liposuction may be a day stay procedure, though more extensive liposuction may require an overnight stay. Dr Taylor will discuss this with you during your consultation.
Dr Alastair Taylor (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | The Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons | Provider No. MED0001401767) is a highly qualified Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. Learn more about Dr Taylor.
If your liposuction surgery takes place at our Sole’vita Surgery private hospital, you can be assured that Dr Taylor leads a dedicated team of qualified health care professionals, including anaesthetic staff and nurses. His team have built a reputation for quality and are committed to achieving results for our clients whilst providing personalised care, with your safety, privacy and comfort at the forefront of all work.
If you are not ready for liposuction surgery, you may be suitable for CoolSculpting treatments, a non-surgical option offered at our My Genesis Clinic. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure to reduce stubborn fat for permanent results with minimal downtime.
Read more about our CoolSculpting options here.
Liposuction surgery is considered cosmetic surgery by the Australian government and therefore is not eligible for a Medicare, health fund or tax rebate, and GST is applicable.
Fees include Dr Taylor Surgeons fee, Anaesthetist fee, Theatre and the Overnight Stay in Hospital costs, starting from $9,000 to $14,000 (based on 2-3 areas).
To receive a formal quote you are required to have a consultation with Dr Taylor. The quote for the cost of your surgery is valid for 3 months. Some fees may not be included in this quote, including medications, pathology, physiotherapy and costs arising from any complications. Further information will be provided to you during your consultation.
Dr Taylor’s fee includes:
To help you prepare for your surgery and enhance your recovery, we offer you a pre-surgery program to start 4 to 6 weeks prior to your surgery. This includes taking a multivitamin to aid recovery and get you back on your feet faster. We also recommend an effective herbal medication to reduce the bruising and swelling associated with your surgery. You will also need to stop certain medications leading up to your surgery and we recommend ceasing smoking six weeks prior.
Planning for your surgery and your recovery in advance is vital. Understanding what you can and cannot do will ensure you are not put in a position where you put yourself or the success of your surgery at risk. All this will depend on your personal situation. Dr Taylor insists you refrain from any major or minor physical duties and take two weeks off work. You will be provided with a discreet medical certificate to accommodate any time required off work.
On discharge from Sole’vita Surgery we recommend:
On return from theatre, you will be placed in a very tight fitting compression garment. This garment is worn 24 hours a day (excluding showering) for the first two weeks and then during the day for another 4 weeks.
You will stay overnight in our Sole’vita Surgery private hospital. Dr Taylor will check on your recovery the next day, and our nursing staff will assist with your discharge, including wound care and management of your dressings, prescriptions for medications, and follow up appointments.
Extensive surgery bruising and swelling are to be expected. Liposuction is uncomfortable but taking regular oral pain medication can assist you to be more comfortable.
You are encouraged to take 2 to 3 weeks off work and plan not to be back to normal routine and activity for at least 6 weeks.
Two weeks after your surgery, you will come to Sole’vita Surgery to have your sutures removed and your wounds checked by one of our nurses, if applicable. You will have follow up appointments with Dr Taylor at both the 6 week and 6 month stage of your journey.