Liposuction & Lymphatic Drainage: Are They Worth It?

Liposuction is a commonly sought-after procedure, yet there is a lot of misinformation. Discover everything you need to know about liposuction surgery.

What Is Liposuction?

In recent years, liposuction has become an increasingly popular treatment for many people across the world who want to get rid of stubborn, excess fat on the body. Despite some misconceptions, liposuction is not a weight-loss method or substitute, therefore it is important that the candidate is at a stable and healthy weight before undertaking the surgery.

All in all, it is a surgical procedure in which the fat cells are broken down in specific areas of the body and then eliminated through a special liposuction vacuum.

What Areas Are Treated by Liposuction?

Often, liposuction is used to shape and contour the body to the patient’s desired look. The surgical procedure can be used to treat a number of areas on the body, and also very specific areas on the face, that have not been eliminated through diet and exercise. The most common areas of concern for liposuction candidates tend to be:

-Upper and lower abdomen

-Buttocks

-Thighs

-Arms

In addition, liposuction can also be used to treat the following areas:

– Calves and ankles

– Hips

– Back

– Chest

– Chin

– Neck

Liposuction Cost

Liposuction is not a cheap procedure; therefore, it is crucial to do extensive research beforehand to ensure that you’re seeing the best doctor possible for your specific needs. Whilst the total cost will heavily depend on your own individual desired results and the area(s) treated, you can generally expect to pay between £3,000 and £6,000 for liposuction in the UK.

Recovery From Liposuction

Since liposuction is an invasive procedure, there is a significant amount of downtime post-surgery that is required to allow the body to adequately heal from the surgery. Depending on the type of work you do, generally, you will need at least a week or two off to rest and within this period it is imperative that you do not engage in any strenuous activity. For most of the areas treated with liposuction, it is required that you wear a support garment after for at least two – eight weeks and that you allow at least six months for any swelling to completely disappear. It’s also important to bear in mind that most doctors say that final results can only be judged one year post-surgery.

When Are the Stitches Removed?

During the liposuction procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions in the skin to insert the tube, these are then stitched up after the surgery is complete. Most stitches will be removed between five and ten days post-op.

Liposuction Potential Side-Effects

As with all invasive surgical treatments, there is more chance of potential risk against non-invasive treatments. Whilst there are some general risk factors outlined below, it is essential that you have a detailed consultation with your surgeon before any commitments to understand what specific risks you may have as an individual.

– Scarring

– Swelling Pockets

– Lumpy Appearance as Fat Settles

– Fine Thread Veins

– Unusual Sensations

– 2 – 6 Weeks of Downtime Needed

What Is a Lymphatic Drainage Massage After Liposuction?

Recently, lymphatic massage has been increasingly popularised as a significantly important part of liposuction post-op-aftercare. The lymphatic drainage massage consists of a gentle, medical massage that is used to encourage the movement of lymph fluids around the body to help remove the build-up of waste and toxins produced by body tissues. Whilst this massage is not exclusive to liposuction patients and can be used to treat a variety of health conditions relating to lymph fluid buildup, there are many benefits in it for post-op patients.

Benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage After Liposuction

The core benefit of the lymphatic drainage massage after liposuction is that helps with post-op swelling by improving the flow of the lymph fluid to reduce congestion in the swollen areas and support effective drainage. Lymphatic drainage massages can also support the promotion of tissue regeneration to improve the skin’s overall appearance in the treated areas and reduce the risk of fibrosis.

Potential Side Effects of Lymphatic Drainage After Liposuction

If the lymphatic drainage massage after liposuction is conducted by a trained and well-experienced professional, the side effects and risks associated should be very minimal. If you have an infection or any other complications after surgery, then you should avoid lymphatic drainage massages to not worsen or further spread the issue. It’s also important to check that you have no existing pre-conditions such as kidney/heart failure beforehand as it is then recommended that you avoid these massages.

The Personalised, Non-invasive, RF Body Sculpting Treatment for Fat Reduction, Skin Tightening, Wrinkle and Cellulite Reduction

The NuEra Tight by Lumenis is a radiofrequency device that effectively reduces fat in stubborn areas of the body through a targeted and personalised experience. Powered by FocalRF technology, the NuEra Tight has five different frequencies to dial in the depth of energy penetration, heating specific skin and tissue layers it can tighten the skin as well as result in fat and cellulite reduction. The device comes with three different handpieces to specifically target and treat the body, face, and bipolar in the most effective and safe way possible. It is the perfect non-invasive body contouring treatment option available at the moment.

NuEra Tight: Before and After 

Frequently Asked Questions

With more and more people considering liposuction to treat their stubborn areas of fat, we have compiled some of the most common questions and answers below.

How Long Does Liposuction Last?

The duration of the actual surgery heavily depends on the individual’s case, the number of areas being treated, and the particular technique of that specific surgeon. Generally, it can be 2-3 hours.

Is Liposuction Surgery Painful?

The surgery itself isn’t painful since you will be under anesthesia however you can expect some post-op discomfort and mild pain since it is an invasive surgery.

 How Can I Get Liposuction Results Without Surgery?

Radiofrequency body sculpting is the perfect non-invasive way to get liposuction results without surgery. Devices like Lumenis’ NuEra Tight can combine fat reduction with skin tightening in order to produce the best results possible.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Liposuction?

Recovery times are heavily related to the individual’s case, overall health and type of treatment however most people recover from liposuction within six to eight weeks.

About Lumenis
Lumenis is a global leader in the field of minimally-invasive clinical solutions for the Surgical, Ophthalmology, and Aesthetic markets, and is a world-renowned expert in developing and commercializing innovative energy-based technologies, including Laser, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radio-Frequency (RF). For 50 years, Lumenis’ ground-breaking products have redefined medical treatments and have set numerous technological and clinical gold-standards. Lumenis has successfully created solutions for previously untreatable conditions, as well as designed advanced technologies that have revolutionized existing treatment methods. visit:  www.lumenis.co.uk