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cosmetic surgery
Liposuction, or simply lipo, is a type of fat-removal procedure used in plastic surgery. Evidence does not support an effect on weight beyond a couple of months and does not appear to affect obesity-related problems.
Liposuction, or simply lipo, is a type of fat-removal procedure used in plastic surgery. Evidence does not support an effect on weight beyond a couple of months and does not appear to affect obesity-related problems.
*Reference text adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify with a qualified clinician before treatment.*
Other clinically reasonable options for the same condition. The right alternative depends on the patient's specific anatomy, comorbidities, and goals — discuss with a treating clinician rather than self-selecting from this list.
Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting)
Non-invasive fat reduction for small areas; partial result, no skin tightening.
Source ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery
When skin laxity coexists with fat excess, lipo alone gives a worse result than combined treatment.
Source ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery
Specialty-board certifications and facility-level accreditations relevant to this procedure. Verify on the issuer's public register before booking — most issuers publish a searchable directory.
ISAPS member surgeon
Issuer International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Individual surgeon membership; requires national-board certification in plastic surgery plus peer endorsement.
Verify on the issuer's register →National plastic-surgery board certification
Issuer Country-specific (e.g. ABPS in US, BAAPS in UK, SBCP in Brazil, KSPRS in South Korea, ASPRS in Australia)
Specialty-board certification in plastic surgery from the surgeon's country of practice. The single most important credential for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.
Verify on the issuer's register →Average recovery for Liposuction is 0 days. Individual recovery varies — always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.
Immediate
First 24–48 hours post-procedure. Monitoring, anaesthesia recovery, initial pain management. Most clinics expect you to remain on-site or nearby.
Early recovery
Wound care, swelling or bruising peaks, restricted activity. Typical window for follow-up visits and drain removal if applicable. Travel is usually not advised.
Intermediate recovery
Gradual return to non-strenuous daily activity. Many international patients fly home during this window. Surgeon may require medical clearance for long-haul travel.
Full recovery
Return to full activity, exercise, and work. Final results may still be settling. Final follow-up with local doctor recommended.
If you have a general anaesthetic, someone will need to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. How long it will be before you're able to return to work will depend on a number of factors, such as the type of job you do and how much of your body was treated. The same will apply to how long it will be before you're able to drive. You should discuss this with your surgeon. The bandage or corset can be taken off while you shower. You'll be able to walk and general movement should be fine, but try to avoid anything more strenuous for the first couple of weeks. The results of the procedure are not always noticeable until the swelling has gone down. It can take up to 6 months for the area to settle completely. As a general guide: - your stitches will be removed after about a wee
*Reference text adapted from NHS UK under the Open Government Licence v3.0.*
Browse all destinations offering Liposuction→
In the UK, liposuction ranges in price from about £3,000 to £8,500, depending on where you go and the body areas being treated.
If you're looking in England, check the [Care Quality Commission (CQC)](http://www.cqc.org.uk/) website for treatment centres that can perform liposuction.
Liposuction is usually carried out under [general anaesthesia](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/general-anaesthesia/), although an [epidural anaesthetic](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/epidural/) may be used for liposuction on lower parts of the body.
Liposuction can occasionally result in:
Cosmetic surgery can sometimes go wrong and the results may not be what you expected.
Other cosmetic surgery procedures in our registry