Liposuction Fat Transfer

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that removes unwanted fat from specific areas such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or arms. Fat transfer involves purifying the extracted fat and re-injecting it into areas requiring volume, such as the buttocks, hips, or face.

Procedure Overview

Liposuction is ideal for patients who are close to their ideal weight but struggle with stubborn fat deposits. It works extremely well for those people who have good elasticity in the underlying skin. If a patient has a large amount of lax redundant skin then additional procedures may be beneficial. Fat transfer is suitable for those who want to enhance volume naturally without implants.

Aim

The aim is to sculpt and refine body contours by removing excess fat and, where appropriate, use that fat to enhance volume in other areas.

At A Glance

Tailored to each patient, this procedure offers transformative results for improved confidence.

Expected results:

Smoother contours, enhanced volume

Treatment time:

1–3 hours depending on

Anaesthesia:

General or local anaesthetic

Recovery time:

2–6 weeks

Return to work:

1–2 weeks for sedentary work, up to 6 weeks for manual work

Lifetime of procedure:

Long-lasting with stable weight

Northwood Hospital - Liposuction Fat Transfer The Procedure

CONSULTATION

At your consultation, the surgeon will discuss your concerns, desired results, and overall health to determine whether liposuction is the right option for you. They will assess the areas you wish to treat, considering factors such as skin quality, fat distribution, and muscle tone. You will be given details about the different liposuction techniques available, such as traditional, power-assisted, or ultrasound-assisted methods, and which would be most suitable for your needs. The surgeon will explain the likely results, recovery process, and potential risks, as well as any alternative or additional treatments that may help you achieve your goals. Photographs may be taken to aid in planning. This is your opportunity to ask questions so that you feel confident and fully informed before deciding to proceed

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TYPES OF LIPOSUCTION

There are a variety of liposuction techniques used by the plastic surgeons at Northwood Hospital. Each has its own benefits and there is no “one size fits all” approach.

Traditional liposuction is no longer used on a regular basis at Northwood Hospital as more advanced technology has allowed better instruments to be used which have improved outcomes and recovery times for patients.

Body-Jet liposuction uses a carefully controlled water jet that loosens fat cells in the area of the body that is being worked on. The approach uses less physical manipulation and is thought by some surgeons to be gentler with less trauma to surrounding tissues. As the procedure is less invasive it can be performed under a local anaesthetic day case in some cases, and recovery is seen to be a little quicker

VASER Liposuction uses ultrasound technology to reshape, contour and sculpt the body area requiring work. Vaser is able to use this technology to break up fat while preserving other important structures such as nerves and blood vessels. Ultrasound breaks down the fat cells making it easier to remove them through a fine needle, allowing less trauma to surrounding tissue. Similar to body jet, there is less trauma to surrounding tissues and a quicker recovery.

Power Assisted liposuction uses a powered vibrating tube that gently breaks down fat for less traumatic removal compared to traditional liposuction techniques. The rapid vibrations allow better precision, and less trauma to surrounding tissues, and it is effective when working on large treatment areas such as flanks, thighs and tummy. Recovery is quicker than traditional liposuction

SURGERY

Liposuction is typically performed under general anaesthetic or, for smaller areas, under local anaesthetic with sedation. The surgeon makes small, discreet incisions near the treatment areas, through which a thin tube (cannula) is inserted to break up and remove fat using gentle suction. The incisions are then closed, and dressings or compression garments are applied to support the new contours. The procedure time can vary from 1 to 3 hours depending on the number of areas treated.

RECOVERY

You can usually return home the same day or the morning after surgery, depending on the extent of the procedure. Bruising, swelling, and some discomfort are common during the first few days, but these generally improve over the following weeks. You will need to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help reduce swelling and support healing. Most people can return to work within one to two weeks, although this varies depending on the amount of fat removed and your type of work. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least four to six weeks. Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your progress and results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is liposuction safe?

Yes. Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures and has an excellent safety profile. Risks include bruising, infection, contour irregularities, dimpling, and fluid accumulation.

Are results permanent?

Yes. Fat cells removed via liposuction do not return. However, remaining fat cells can enlarge with weight gain, so maintaining a stable weight is important.

Is fat transfer safe?

Fat transfer is safe when performed using refined techniques. Risks include uneven fat survival, cyst formation, or need for touch-ups.

How much fat survives after transfer?

Approximately 60–80% of the transferred fat typically survives. Your surgeon may slightly overcorrect to account for this.

What is the downtime?

Most patients need 1–2 weeks off work. There may be swelling and bruising in both the donor and recipient sites. You may be advised to wear a compression garment for a period of time after your surgery to aid recovery.