Liposuction treatment in Tunbridge Wells

Why choose Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital for your liposuction treatment?

At Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital, our cosmetic consultants possess a wealth of experience when it comes to fat removal surgery. They regularly exceed their patients expectations and are backed with excellent patient feedback.

We believe undertaking any form of cosmetic treatment is a huge step and we insist all patients discuss their options and motives with one of our skilled consultants, ensuring they make a well informed decision.

If you are thinking about having liposuction and want to find out more, you can get a better idea about the cosmetic benefits of the treatment by attending one of our free cosmetic open events.

Liposuction - Where on the body can this technique be used?

Liposuction is commonly used to treat patients who are near normal weight and have firm elastic skin. It is important to understand that it is not a substitution for weight loss. Common areas treated are:

• Stomach
• Hips
• Thighs
• Buttocks
• Knees
• Neck
• Upper arms
• Male breasts.

What happens during liposuction at Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital?

• Your consultant will assess your health, skin quality and the amount of fat to be removed before talking you through what approach should be employed
• Various types of anaesthesia are used during liposuction treatment
• If only small areas of fat are to be removed you may have local anaesthetic
• More extensive surgery may require a general anaesthetic (you will be put to sleep)
• The length of your liposuction procedure will depend on the amount of fat being removed
• Your surgeon will make a small incision in the skin
• Using a thin, hollow tube they will break up the fat cells beneath the skin surface and remove them with a special suction or vacuum. Several incisions may be required for larger areas
• Any incisions will be stitched at the end of the procedure
• The area will be bandaged for support.

Recovering from liposuction

• Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may be able to have the procedure as a day case
• You will need pain relief medication once the anaesthesia wears off
• You may need to wear an elastic support garment for two to six weeks after surgery
• Remember to ask a friend or relative to drive you home
• You will need to have your stitches removed five to ten days following your liposuction surgery
• You may need to take one to two weeks off work depending on the extent of your surgery
• For the first few weeks you will need to rest and avoid any strenuous activity
• Once the swelling has decreased you will notice a difference in your body contour
• However it may take up to six months to the area to settle down completely.

Average liposuction recovery stages, (please note that everyone heals differently) 

1-3 days 

• Except when bathing an elastic support garment must be worn day and night around the operation site (does not apply to facial surgery).

Day 4-7

• Walking may be uncomfortable if your procedure was in the lower part of your body
• Gradually increase your activity.

Day 7-10

• Any stitches or staples are removed.

Two weeks 

• Return to work if approved by your surgeon.

Three weeks

• Normal activity level resumed
• You may need to continue to wear support garment.

Two months

• You no longer need to wear support garment.

Six months

• It can take 6 months for any swelling to dissapear
• You may feel some numbness in the area.

12 Months

• Final result can be judged, as long as your weight has remained stable.

The results of liposuction appear gradually and will differ for everybody before swelling and bruising subside. The overall appearance will be visible within two to three weeks and most of the remaining swelling will have gone within six to 12 weeks. However, your shape will continue to improve over the next six months to a year, as long as your weight is stable

What are the complications of Liposuction treatment?

Every surgical procedure has a chance of complications arising. And like any other surgical treatments, be sure and discuss any concerns you might have about the associated risks with your consultant surgeon.

Specific complications of liposuction (although rare) could include:

• Stiffness and pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Numbness
• Unusual sensations
• Fine thread veins
• Lumpy appearance as remaining fat settles.