
Do you dream of being able to banish pockets of fat from your body for a tightened, natural looking finish? Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat accumulations from specific area 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.
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 FRACS
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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 improve the body’s contours and proportion by removing excess fat deposits to slim and reshape specific areas of the body. It can be used on its own to improve 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 produce a more natural look 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.
It is important to remember liposuction is not a method of weight loss, but rather a procedure for smoothing out the appearance of problem areas and creating a more uniform look. 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 good quality skin. The skin needs to contract after removal of the underlying fatty bulge to achieve a better contour. Loose stretch marked skin doesn’t contract well, leaving a wrinkled soft appearance. The patient’s general shape may lead to an improved look in clothes and for some, this is the desired effect.
Liposuction is offered as a quick fix, however, I believe it requires careful assessment and planning to ensure the contouring goals are realised.
Dr Alastair TaylorDr Taylor performs 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 the best in Australia.
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 (MBBS, FRACS) is a highly qualified, leading plastic surgeon with over 20 years experience in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, including breast, body, and facial rejuvenation surgery. Dr Taylor qualified as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in 1998. He holds a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). 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.
Developed by Harvard University scientists, the science behind CoolSculpting is the discovery that subcutaneous fat cells are more vulnerable to the effects of cold than other surrounding tissue. This means the fat cells may be effectively targeted and destroyed by freezing them.
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:
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 Taylor 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:
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.