During the liposuction procedure, local excess fat is removed with the help of a suction tube (cannula). The most common areas for liposuction are the chin, cheeks, neck and upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, ankles, and the area above the chest.

Liposuction is not aimed at weight loss but at changing the body’s proportions. The removed fat is not very significant in relation to the total body fat. However, the new proportions resulting from liposuction remain despite the weight changes, with the site of the intervention being slimmer than the rest of the body. Even if we subsequently gain weight, the new fat will be directed less to the liposuction site (since the “storage areas” there have been reduced) and more to other parts of the body.

The increased safety of the technique, the ability to target the areas to be liposuctioned, and the quick post-operative recovery have made the procedure very popular.

After liposuction, the patient may experience mild swelling that largely subsides within the first two months. Full recovery can take one to six months, depending on the amount of fat and the areas treated. It is recommended that pressure underwear be worn for a few weeks after the procedure.

The removal of fat by surgery may, in some cases, have the long-term consequence of a compensatory increase in visceral fat (such as inside the abdomen). The short-term risks include the possible formation of blood clots, nerve damage, and sagging or wrinkling of the skin in the areas where surgery was performed.