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Liposuction | healthdirect
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}; function onError(error) {}</script> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> initialiseSocialShare('socialshare-node-desktop-mode', "https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/liposuction"); </script> </span> </div> <div id="readspeaker_button1" class="rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve"> <a rel="nofollow" class="rsbtn_play" accesskey="L" title="Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker" href="//app-oc.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=8207&lang=en_au&readid=mainContentArticleText&url=https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/liposuction"> <span class="rsbtn_left rsimg rspart"><span class="rsbtn_text"><span>Listen</span></span></span> <span class="rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart"></span> </a> </div> </header> <div class="main_content-body-text"><div class="cont_layout-standout"> <h2 id="key-facts">Key facts</h2> <ul> <li>Liposuction is a form of cosmetic surgery to reshape your body by removing body fat.</li> <li>Liposuction should be performed by a specialist plastic surgeon.</li> <li>Medicare does not cover the cost of cosmetic liposuction.</li> </ul> </div> <nav class="cont_nav-index-table__double-col"> <h2>On this page</h2> <ul> <li><a href="#what-is">What is liposuction?</a></li> <li><a href="#right">Is liposuction right for me?</a></li> <li><a href="#find">How do I find a plastic surgeon?</a></li> <li><a href="#prepare">How should I prepare for a liposuction procedure?</a></li> <li><a href="#during">What happens during a liposuction procedure?</a></li> <li><a href="#after">What happens after a liposuction procedure?</a></li> <li><a href="#doctor">When should I see my doctor?</a></li> <li><a href="#risks">What are the risks involved in liposuction?</a></li> <li><a href="#costs">What costs are involved?</a></li> <li><a href="#resources">Resources and support</a></li> <li><a href="#searchGeneralResults">Related information on Australian websites</a></li> </ul> </nav> <h2 id="what-is">What is liposuction?</h2> <p>Liposuction (also called lipectomy or lipoplasty) is a type of cosmetic surgery that removes fat from under your skin.</p> <p>The procedure is not a weight-loss method. It does not remove fat from other parts of the body, such as <a href="/how-to-reduce-visceral-body-fat-hidden-fat">visceral fat</a> from around your organs.</p> <p>Liposuction changes the shape of certain areas of the body by removing fat from those areas.</p> <p>It is most often used for the:</p> <ul> <li>thighs</li> <li>buttocks</li> <li>abdomen</li> <li>arms</li> <li>neck and under the chin</li> </ul> <p>Liposuction is also used for the back, inner knee, chest, cheek, calves and ankles.</p> <p>Some people have liposuction at the same time as other <a href="/guide-to-cosmetic-surgery">cosmetic surgery</a> procedures such as a facelift, a <a href="/breast-augmentation-breast-implants">breast augmentation</a> or an <a href="/abdominoplasty">abdominoplasty</a> (tummy tuck).</p> <h2 id="right">Is liposuction right for me?</h2> <p>It's a good idea to speak to your usual doctor before undergoing liposuction. They are best placed to help you manage your overall health.</p> <p>While you might feel that you need to have a certain body size and shape to look good, liposuction might not be the solution. If you feel unhappy with your <a href="/body-image">body image</a>, think carefully about the risk and benefit of any cosmetic surgery before you go ahead.</p> <p>Liposuction might be right for you if you:</p> <ul> <li>have realistic expectations about the procedure</li> <li>have tried to change your body shape with a healthy diet and regular exercise</li> <li>are in good health at the time of the procedure.</li> </ul> <p>Liposuction works best for people of normal weight who have firm, elastic skin but pockets of excess fat in certain areas.</p> <p>Liposuction is not a replacement or substitution for weight loss.</p> <h3>What are the alternatives to liposuction?</h3> <p>If liposuction is not right for you, some alternatives are:</p> <ul> <li><a href="/counsellors-and-counselling">counselling</a> to help you accept how your body is</li> <li>lifestyle changes such as <a href="/healthy-eating">healthy eating</a> or <a href="/tips-for-getting-active">physical activity</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="find">How do I find a plastic surgeon?</h2> <p>The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has a <a href="http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx" target="_blank" aria-label="Link opens in a new tab.">register of medical practitioners</a>. This will tell you if a doctor is a specialist plastic surgeon. Plastic surgeons are the best type of healthcare professional to perform a liposuction procedure.</p> <p>If the doctor is not a specialist plastic surgeon, they may still be able to do cosmetic procedures such as liposuction. But it is important to realise that they do not have the same qualifications as a specialist.</p> <p>If you are considering a surgeon, find out about their experience and qualifications. Ask the medical practitioner lots of questions about the procedure. You should make sure you are comfortable with them.</p> <h3>Questions to ask before liposuction</h3> <p>There is a lot to consider before deciding to have any form of cosmetic surgery. You can ask your doctor <a href="/preparing-for-surgery">questions about surgery in general</a>. There are other questions you should ask about liposuction, such as:</p> <ul> <li>What type of liposuction do you recommend for me and why?</li> <li>How much bruising, swelling or pain do you expect me to experience? What should I do about this?</li> <li>After surgery, how long before I can return to my normal activities?</li> <li>Will I have stitches, bandages or dressings? How long will they be in place? Will I need to have the stitches taken out?</li> <li>Will I have scars? What will they look like?</li> <li>How many of your patients have complications? What will it mean for me if this happens?</li> <li>How frequently do people need to re-do liposuction because of problems?</li> <li>If I need further surgery due to complications or if I am not satisfied with the result, will there be extra costs?</li> </ul> <a href="/question-builder" class="cont_layout-media-object__icon-standout"> <i class="cont_layout-media-object__icon-standout-left dor-icon_question"></i> <p class="cont_layout-media-object__icon-standout-right"><strong>ASK YOUR DOCTOR</strong> — Preparing for an appointment? Use the <strong class="cont_underline">Question Builder</strong> for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.</p> </a> <h2 id="prepare">How should I prepare for a liposuction procedure?</h2> <p>To prepare for a liposuction procedure, you should make sure you have as much information about the procedure as possible. Understand what results you can realistically expect to get.</p> <p>To get ready for surgery and make recovery easier:</p> <ul> <li>you should reach your optimal weight</li> <li>be as healthy and fit as you can</li> <li>if you smoke, you should <a href="/quit-smoking-vaping">quit smoking</a></li> <li>read and follow all the instructions from your surgeon</li> </ul> <p>Discuss with your doctor if you need to make any changes to your medications before the surgery.</p> <h2 id="during">What happens during a liposuction procedure?</h2> <p>Before having the liposuction procedure, you will have either a <a href="/local-anaesthetic">local</a> or a <a href="/general-anaesthetic">general anaesthetic</a>.</p> <p>The procedure involves making very small cuts in your skin. Then different techniques are used to remove fat from under the skin in that area.</p> <p>The fat can be turned into liquid or shaved off before being suctioned out.</p> <h2 id="after">What happens after a liposuction procedure?</h2> <p>After liposuction, you may wake up to find there is a canula (thin tube) draining fluid from the site of the surgery.</p> <p>There will be dressings on the wounds. You may have to wear an elastic bandage or a compression garment for a while. You should expect to have pain for several days and your doctor will prescribe some form of pain relief medicine.</p> <p>Some people may need a short hospital stay after a liposuction procedure. You will need a few days' rest at home before going back to your normal work or activities.</p> <p>After surgery there will be some swelling. You should be given instructions about how to care for the surgery sites. Once the swelling has settled down, you will be able to see the results. This could take a few weeks or sometimes months.</p> <p>Usually, liposuction does not need to be repeated. There may be excess skin after the surgery and an additional procedure may be needed to remove this.</p> <h2 id="doctor">When should I see my doctor?</h2> <p>If you have any of these symptoms, notify your surgeon or doctor right away:</p> <ul> <li>temperature higher than 38°C</li> <li>chills</li> <li>heavy bleeding from the wounds</li> <li>redness around the incision sites that is getting worse</li> <li>increasing pain or tenderness</li> <li>other changes that worry you</li> </ul> <a href="/australian-health-services" class="cont_layout-media-object__icon-standout"> <i class="cont_layout-media-object__icon-standout-left dor-icon_hospital"></i> <p class="cont_layout-media-object__icon-standout-right"><strong>FIND A HEALTH SERVICE</strong> — The <strong class="cont_underline">Service Finder</strong> can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.</p> </a> <h2 id="risks">What are the risks involved in liposuction?</h2> <p>Liposuction can sometimes have unexpected or unwanted results. Reasonably common ones include:</p> <ul> <li>uneven skin with ripples or dimples</li> <li>baggy skin</li> <li>numbness or reduced sensation in the skin</li> <li>scarring (when you have invasive surgery there will always be scarring. All surgeons aim to achieve minimal scarring. Where possible, scars will be along natural creases and skin lines.</li> <li>changes to skin colour</li> <li>slow healing</li> <li>bruising</li> <li>bleeding</li> <li>swelling</li> <li>pockets of fluid under the skin</li> </ul> <p>Serious complications, which are less common, include:</p> <ul> <li>blood clots in your legs, which can travel to your lungs and cause serious illness</li> <li>excessive fluid loss, which can lead to shock</li> <li>burns to your skin or deeper tissue due to the ultrasound used to liquefy fat</li> <li>infection in the fatty tissues, which can be hard to treat</li> </ul> <p>You may want more cosmetic surgery to remove or tighten any loose skin that may remain after the fatty tissue has been removed.</p> <h2 id="costs">What costs are involved?</h2> <p>The costs and fees for liposuction will be different in each case.</p> <p>They include the:</p> <ul> <li>surgeon's fees</li> <li>anaesthetist's fees</li> <li>clinic or hospital fees</li> <li>medication, dressings and support garments</li> </ul> <p>You should ask your surgeon about fees and costs before the procedure.</p> <p>Medicare does not cover the cost of liposuction, and often <a href="/private-health-insurance">private health insurance</a> doesn't either.</p> <h2 id="resources">Resources and support</h2> <p>If you are considering liposuction, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You will find more resources at these organisations:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://plasticsurgery.org.au/" target="_blank" aria-label="Link opens in a new tab.">Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons Information Hotline</a> <a href="tel:1300367446">1300 367 446</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.surgeons.org/" target="_blank" aria-label="Link opens in a new tab.">Royal Australasian College of Surgeons</a> <a href="tel:0392491200">(03) 9249 1200</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ahpra.gov.au/" target="_blank" aria-label="Link opens in a new tab.">Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency</a> <a href="tel:1300419495">1300 419 495</a></li> <li>The <a href="https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/" target="_blank" aria-label="Link opens in a new tab.">Butterfly Foundation</a> has information about understanding body image issues.</li> <li>The <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/cosmetic-surgery/know-the-risks" target="_blank" aria-label="Link opens in a new tab.">Department of Health and Aged Care</a> provides information to help you have cosmetic surgery safely.</li> </ul> <p>You can also call the healthdirect helpline on <a href="tel:1800022222">1800 022 222</a> (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.</p></div> <footer class="main_content-article-text-footer"> <div> <h4>Source<span>s</span>:</h4> <span> <a href="https://plasticsurgery.org.au" target="_blank" title="Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons">Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons</a> <em>(Liposuction)<span></span></em>, <a href="https://www.medicalboard.gov.au" target="_blank" title="Medical Board of Australia">Medical Board of Australia</a> <em>(Guidelines for registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery and procedures)<span></span></em>, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au" target="_blank" title="Department of Health and Aged Care">Department of Health and Aged Care</a> <em>(Questions to ask before your cosmetic surgery)<span></span></em>, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au" target="_blank" title="Department of Health and Aged Care">Department of Health and Aged Care</a> <em>(Choose a qualified practitioner)<span></span></em>, <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au" target="_blank" title="NSW Health">NSW Health</a> <em>(Cosmetic procedures – frequently asked questions)<span></span></em> </span> </div> </footer> <p>Learn more here about the <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/about-our-content">development and quality assurance of healthdirect content</a>.</p> <p>Last reviewed: December 2023</p> <div class="main_content-back-to-top"><a href="#backToTop"><i class="dor-icon_caret-up"></i><br><span class="tablet-up__inline">Back To </span>Top</a></a></div> </main> <!--<button class="main_content-article-btn-read-full">Read full article <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-article-btn-read-full-icon"></i></button>--> <section class="main_content-links print-hidden"> <section class="related-concept-section"> <h2>Search our site for</h2> <ul> <li> <a class="dor-button__pill-btn" href="/search-results/Cosmetic Surgery" title="Search results for:Cosmetic Surgery">Cosmetic Surgery</a> </li> <li> <a class="dor-button__pill-btn" href="/search-results/Bariatric Surgery" title="Search results for:Bariatric Surgery">Bariatric Surgery</a> </li> <li> <a class="dor-button__pill-btn" href="/search-results/Body Image" title="Search results for:Body Image">Body Image</a> </li> <li> <a class="dor-button__pill-btn" href="/search-results/Abdominoplasty" title="Search results for:Abdominoplasty">Abdominoplasty</a> </li> </ul> </section> </section> <!-- <content-feedback class="veyron-component" feedbackurl="https://healthdirect.au1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0cQyjgUEO6gU3GZ&Page=https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/liposuction"></content-feedback> --> <section class="main_content-search"> <header> <h2>Need more information?</h2> <p>These trusted information partners have more on this topic.</p> </header> <div class="main_content-general-text"> <div> <div class="main_content-search-results-partners"> <nav class="dor-tabs__2 veyron-search-tabs" role="tablist"> <label class="dor-tabs_item" role="tab" aria-controls="searchGeneralResults" aria-selected="true"> <input type="radio" checked name="tab"> <div class="dor-tabs_item-btn veyron-search-tab-btn">General search results</div> </label> <label class="dor-tabs_item" role="tab" aria-controls="searchProfessionalResults" aria-selected="false"> <input type="radio" name="tab"> <div class="dor-tabs_item-btn veyron-search-tab-btn">Results for medical professionals</div> </label> </nav> <section id="searchGeneralResults" data-total-records="2"> <p>Top results</p> <a href="https://plasticsurgery.org.au/procedures/surgical-procedures/liposuction/" data-partner-url="partners/australian-society-of-plastic-surgeons" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|9c56f53e-763f-4eb7-bbd8-a0d1bb78df56"> <h3>Liposuction (lipectomy or lipoplasty) - Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Liposuction, is a procedure that improves the body’s contours and proportion by removing excess fat deposits to slim and reshape specific areas of the body.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/asps_logo-573d78.png"> </a> <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/liposuction" data-partner-url="partners/better-health-channel" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|0432a74d-1e55-49ca-b861-877d7d73732c"> <h3>Liposuction - Better Health Channel</h3> <div class="main_content-search-tile-intro"> <p>Liposuction is invasive surgery and is not a substitute for weight reduction or a cure for obesity.</p> </div> <p class="main_content-search-tile-read-more"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-tile-read-more-icon"></i> <i id="read-more">Read more on Better Health Channel website</i></p> <img class="main_content-search-tile-logo" alt="Better Health Channel" src="https://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/logos/h40/bhc-rectangle-image-e99950.png"> </a> <section class="main_content-search-show-more hidden"> <button class="main_content-search-show-more-btn" title="Show more search results" rel="nofollow">Show more</button> <i aria-hidden="true" class="main_content-search-show-more-loading"></i> </section> </section> <section id="searchProfessionalResults" class="hidden" data-total-records="2"> <p>Top results</p> <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/female-genital-cosmetic-surgery/information-on-fgcs" data-partner-url="partners/racgp-the-royal-australian-college-of-general-practitioners" class="main_content-search-tile" target="_blank" data-guid="ECM001|7f8d1c34-5166-4d75-b0f5-db3a1e6cd3a3"> <h3>RACGP - 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