Liposuction

About the treatment

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of fat deposits from underneath the skin. It is performed with a tube called a cannula, connected to a suction or vacuum, under general anaesthetic, local anaesthetic, or in some cases heavy IV sedation.

Liposuction, like any other surgery, comes with its own risks. It is imperative that your liposuction doctor is experienced, qualified, certified, and most importantly, abides by the highest levels of safety and ethical standards.

Tumescent liposuction is a technique propounded by Dr. Jeffrey Klein that involves injecting large volumes of dilute local anaesthetic to the areas being treated. This causes firmness or a type of swelling in the area also known as tumescence. Dr. Gupta is one of the few doctors in the UK who has been trained personally by Dr. Klein in mastering this technique. One of the benefits of this technique is the elimination of the need for pain medication after the procedure as the effect of the local anaesthetic lasts for many hours.

Tumescent liposuction, when done correctly and in the right quantity, is the safest form of liposuction. This is because the anaesthetic solution shrinks the capillaries reducing surgical blood loss. Complications from using this form of liposuction through local anaesthetic are extremely rare.

Tumescent liposuction uses micro cannulae (cannulae that have a very small diameter – less than 2.3 millimetres.) Unlike traditional liposuction where the cannula diameter is 6 -10 millimetres, Dr. Gupta’s micro cannulae remove the fat in a slower but more uniformed approach. This results in a smoother finish.

Aftercare

As with any surgery, aftercare considerations are important and vital to ensure a smooth and safe recovery. Following tumescent liposuction there is usually residual anaesthetic solution under the skin and there are several ways this is removed.

Although damage to the capillaries cannot be avoided during the procedure, the prolongation of the solution can be minimised using the open drainage method. Small adits (tiny holes 1mm, 1.5mm or 2mm in diameter) are made to encourage drainage after the operation.

The use of open drainage after the operation minimises bruising as the incisions made are so small that they do not require suturing. As the residual solution drains out over 2-3 days, by not sealing the incisions it reduces bruising and swelling and hastens healing. Bruising is minimal as tumescent liposuction reduces the amount of blood left under the skin.

FAQs

Should I choose microlipo or Vaser lipo?
This depends, we recommend you speak to Dr. Gupta and explore which option is best for you.

Does microlipo leave scars?
Most patients have no visible surgical scars after tumescent liposuction using microcannulas. Any evidence of micro-incisions will usually disappear after a few months.

Are there any risks?
Before deciding to go ahead with any liposuction, we will discuss the procedure in depth, explain what is involved and also assess your suitability and any risk factors.

Cost

Whilst the cost of liposuction surgery is of course an important factor when considering a procedure, it should by no means be the most important factor.

There are a number of factors that determine the cost of a procedure, the most important being the amount of time and effort required on the surgeon’s part.

When agreeing a cost for your procedure, Dr. Gupta will consider the number of areas being treated and whether they can all be treated in “one sitting”. He will also consider the size of the patient and the size of the area being treated. And finally, he will consider the anticipated degree of difficulty of the particular procedure.

Certain areas require more time and attention than other areas and this will affect the overall cost.

Dr. Gupta only works with clients who he feels will benefit from a liposuction procedure.

No client is the same and it is only after the consultation that Dr. Gupta can gauge suitability and then suggest a cost for the procedure.

Before & After photos