Liposuction in Edinburgh
Liposuction has been part of the surgical practice at Quaba Plastic Surgery for more than 25 years, addressing localised fat that does not respond to diet and exercise. Surgery is performed at Waterfront Private Hospital by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register, including Mr Will Anderson. The consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the consultant who plans your surgery, performs it, and reviews you afterwards.
Tummy tuck and Lipo
I had wanted tummy tuck for a time, after 2 pregnancies, had left a large volume of excess skin.
Mr Omar Quaba was excellent from my initial consultation, he was approachable and I felt reassured, all the way to aftercare. I am delighted with the results. I would definitely recommend this surgeon.
Felix447
Contents
Liposuction overview
- Anaesthetic: local or general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure.
- Length: 1 to 2 hours.
- Hospital stay: day case at Waterfront Private Hospital, or overnight at Spire Shawfair Park, Edinburgh for larger areas.
- Recovery time: 1 to 2 weeks off work; 6 weeks before strenuous exercise.
What liposuction involves
Liposuction removes localised deposits of fat through small incisions, reshaping the area being treated. It is performed at Waterfront Private Hospital under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure, and usually takes one to two hours.
A narrow tube (cannula) is inserted through tiny incisions and passed through the fat layer that lies between the skin and the muscle, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them with a vacuum machine. Liposuction can treat very localised areas, such as the hips or outer thighs, or broader areas of fat, such as the abdomen or back.
The technique is user dependent. The surgeon sculpts the treated area through multiple careful passes of the cannula; performed incorrectly, liposuction can leave the treated area feeling lumpy and looking uneven. At Quaba, liposuction is performed by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register, and the consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the consultant who performs your surgery.
Benefits of liposuction
Liposuction produces a slimmer, better-proportioned contour in the treated area. The change is often subtle rather than dramatic, and is usually most noticeable in how clothing fits.
- A flatter, smoother contour in areas that have not responded to diet and exercise.
- Improvement across one or several areas — commonly the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, back, and neck.
- A lasting reduction in fat cells in the treated area, provided weight remains stable.
You should start to see and feel a difference in the treated area after two to three months, once the early swelling has settled. The final outcome may not be apparent for at least six months. Results vary with skin quality and individual anatomy — examples are shown in our liposuction before and after gallery.
Liposuction is not a treatment for losing weight. The aim is to recontour specific parts of the body, and your consultant will advise honestly whether the procedure is worthwhile in your case.
Who is an ideal candidate for liposuction?
The ideal candidate for liposuction has localised pockets of fat that persist despite a stable weight and regular exercise, with reasonably good skin quality.
- Localised fat in areas that respond well to liposuction — the hips and outer thighs respond particularly well; the inner thighs less so.
- Good skin elasticity, which allows the skin to tighten over the new contour. The clearest improvements are achieved when the skin is of good quality and has not been overly stretched.
- A stable weight, at or near your long-term norm.
- Realistic expectations of what the procedure can and cannot change.
Skin quality often determines whether liposuction alone will suffice. Where the skin is of poor quality or there is excess skin, abdominal liposuction often needs to be combined with a tummy tuck. Many patients are happy to accept some loose skin following liposuction if they have been counselled about it and want to avoid a more involved procedure.
Suitability is assessed at a face-to-face consultation, and your consultant will advise whether liposuction is worthwhile in your case.
Risks and considerations of liposuction
Liposuction is a safe procedure in appropriately selected patients, but like all surgery it carries risks. General surgical risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, and an unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic. The risks specific to liposuction are listed below, and your consultant discusses how each applies to your individual case at consultation.
Bruising
Bruising
Bruising is to be expected and can take 2-3 weeks to resolve fully
Swelling
Swelling
A variable degree of swelling is typical and can persist for several weeks.
Bleeding
Bleeding
Requiring intervention is very uncommon following liposuction.
Infection
Infection
Because the wounds in liposuction are tiny, infection is uncommon.
Scars
Scars
The scars following liposuction are small (around 5mm) and can be red and thickened. They usually settle well by 12-18 months. Initially, friction burns around the wounds can occur from the cannula rubbing against the skin. These usually heal without problems.
Irregularities and contour problems in your skin
Irregularities and contour problems in your skin
Minor lumps and irregularities are common following liposuction. If the liposuction is performed too aggressively in one area, a contour depression (dip) can be caused.
Numbness
Numbness
You may have patches of numbness in your skin, and these invariably recover over time.
Developing a fluid collection (seroma)
Developing a fluid collection (seroma)
Around 1 in 30 patients may form an accumulation of fluid under the skin. This is not serious and occasionally needs to be drained with a needle in the clinic.
Damage to underlying structures
Damage to underlying structures
There have been documented cases of injury to underlying structures such as the bowel or liver. Such cases are exceedingly rare, and there may be an increased risk if you have deep scars in the area being treated.
Undercorrection
Undercorrection
Not removing enough fatty tissues leaving you with a minimal change.
Unsatisfactory cosmetic outcome
Unsatisfactory cosmetic outcome
This can occur as a result of any of the above problems or if your expectations have not been managed.
Aftercare and recovery after liposuction
Most patients return to work within one to two weeks, depending on the areas treated and the nature of their work. Bruising is expected and can take two to three weeks to resolve fully, and a variable degree of swelling can persist for several weeks. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for six weeks.
The treated area starts to show a visible difference at two to three months as the swelling settles, and the final contour can take six months or more to emerge.
A nurse reviews you at one week, and more often if needed in the early healing period. Your consultant sees you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between then, your consultant is always available — if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.
Read more about liposuction aftercare.
What is the cost of liposuction?
Liposuction at Quaba is priced according to the extent of the procedure and the type of anaesthetic:
- Liposuction of small areas (local anaesthetic): from £4,100.
- Liposuction under general anaesthetic: from £5,850.
Each price covers the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee where applicable, the hospital and theatre fee at Waterfront Private Hospital, and all post-operative reviews until you are fully discharged.
The full price for your individual case can only be confirmed after a face-to-face consultation with the consultant who will perform your surgery.
Our consultation fee with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200. Where a further consultation would help you reach a decision, this is offered without additional charge.
Frequently asked questions about liposuction
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my liposuction?
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my liposuction?
Yes. The consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the consultant who plans your surgery, performs it at Waterfront Private Hospital, and reviews you afterwards. There are no handovers between consultants.
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
A nurse reviews you at one week, and more often if needed in the early healing period. Your consultant sees you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between then, your consultant is always available — if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.
How much does liposuction cost?
How much does liposuction cost?
Liposuction at Quaba starts from £4,100 for small areas under local anaesthetic and from £5,850 under general anaesthetic. Each price covers the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee where applicable, the hospital and theatre fee at Waterfront Private Hospital, and all post-operative reviews until you are fully discharged.
Is liposuction a weight-loss treatment?
Is liposuction a weight-loss treatment?
No. Liposuction recontours specific areas of the body by removing localised fat; it is not a method of losing weight. The best results are achieved when weight is stable and the treated areas have not responded to diet and exercise.
Which areas of the body respond best to liposuction?
Which areas of the body respond best to liposuction?
The hips and outer thighs respond particularly well. The abdomen, back, and neck are also commonly treated. The inner thighs respond less predictably. How each area is likely to behave, and what can realistically be achieved, is discussed at consultation.
Will my skin be loose after liposuction?
Will my skin be loose after liposuction?
It depends on your skin quality. Where skin elasticity is good, the skin tightens over the new contour. Where the skin is of poor quality or has been overly stretched, some looseness can remain, and a combined procedure such as a tummy tuck may be recommended instead.
Is liposuction performed under local or general anaesthetic?
Is liposuction performed under local or general anaesthetic?
Both options are used. Small, localised areas can be treated under local anaesthetic as a day case; larger or multiple areas are usually treated under general anaesthesia. The right option for your case is agreed at consultation.
How long does it take to recover from liposuction?
How long does it take to recover from liposuction?
Most patients take one to two weeks off work, depending on the areas treated and the nature of their work. Bruising resolves over two to three weeks, and swelling can persist for several weeks. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for six weeks.
When will I see the final result of my liposuction?
When will I see the final result of my liposuction?
You should start to see and feel a difference after two to three months, once the early swelling has settled. The final contour may not be apparent for six months or more.
Are the results of liposuction permanent?
Are the results of liposuction permanent?
The fat cells removed do not return. The treated area remains in better proportion provided your weight stays stable; significant weight gain can enlarge the remaining fat cells in both treated and untreated areas.
What scars does liposuction leave?
What scars does liposuction leave?
The incisions are tiny — around 5mm — and the resulting scars are small. They can be red and thickened at first and usually settle well by 12 to 18 months.
Can liposuction be combined with other procedures?
Can liposuction be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Liposuction is often combined with abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) where excess skin is present, and it can be combined with other body contouring procedures. Whether a combination is appropriate for your case is decided at consultation.
Author
Mr Will Anderson is a fully accredited Consultant Plastic Surgeon in Edinburgh on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery (3679250). Having served as an NHS Consultant since 2008, he specialises in reconstructive, cosmetic and laser surgery, and holds an MSc from University College London. He practises at Quaba Plastic Surgery and Waterfront Private Hospital.