Suitable candidates for liposculpture and liposuction

Good liposuction candidates are typically individuals close to their ideal weight but have localised areas of stubborn fat that resist reduction through diet and exercise efforts. These areas can include the abdomen, arms, thighs, hips and more. Candidates must understand that liposuction is not a solution for weight loss. It is designed to target areas with stubborn fat pockets only.

Candidates should be in good overall health with stable blood pressure, no smoking, and free from certain medical conditions that could increase surgical risks. Realistic expectations about the results are crucial. Clear communication about procedure goals and limitations is essential to determine whether or not liposuction is suitable for you. Candidates should also be committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle post-surgery to preserve the results over time.

Your initial liposuction consultation

Before undergoing liposculpture, you will need to have a consultation with Dr Norris at one of our Sydney clinics (Bondi Junction and Bella Vista clinics).

During your first liposuction consultation, Dr Norris will discuss your unique concerns and learn more about the areas with fat pockets that no longer respond to diet and exercise. He will then assess the amount of excess fat you have and your skin’s elasticity. Any old surgical scars will also need to be evaluated. Along with taking the necessary measurements and photos, Dr Norris must also review your medical history to rule out any factors that could lead to potential complications.

Dr Norris will discuss in detail how the operation is performed and where the scar will be placed. By taking you through these details, Dr Norris will also help you to set realistic expectations about what can be achieved and what your recovery process will be like. You will then be provided with a quotation, including your surgery options.

Your second consultation

If you proceed with the liposuction, Dr Norris will see you again at a second consultation. Patients will be given ample time to consider their reasons for wanting to undergo this procedure.

During your second consultation, your liposculpture procedure will be scheduled, and Dr Norris will explain how you should prepare for surgery.

Patients should stop smoking at least two months before their procedure to ensure optimal healing. Some specific medications and supplements must be eliminated several weeks before and after surgery.

The liposculpture procedure

You will discuss the details of your procedure during your consultation. Each patient can have slightly different procedure steps to cater to their personal needs.

Dr Norris only performs liposculpture in fully accredited medical facilities. Before your procedure commences, Dr Norris will introduce you to the anaesthetist he works with, who will also administer your general anaesthetic. You can also use this time before your surgery to talk to Dr Norris about any questions or concerns. Before administering the anaesthetic, the necessary markings will be made on the targeted areas.

During the procedure, several small incisions are made on the areas that will be treated. From there, a blunt-tipped cannula will be used back and forth to remove unwanted fat cells. Sometimes, an ultrasound device will be used first to break up the fat cells, making it much easier to vacuum them out. Liposuction can take one to five hours, depending on the treated areas. Patients will also be given intravenous fluids during and after their liposculpture session to replace any fluids lost due to fat removal.
The incisions will be closed using dissolving sutures so that you don’t need to schedule an appointment to have them removed later on. A compression garment will also be applied to the treated area to reduce swelling and accelerate healing. If more than one area was treated, compression garments must be worn on all of them.

You will be moved to a recovery room after your surgery, where you will be monitored for several hours before discharge. There is a chance that drains must be placed under the skin after surgery to get rid of excess blood and fluids. The drains will be removed before you are discharged or the day after your procedure.

Costs of liposculpture in Sydney

The total costs of your procedure will depend on how many areas need to be treated during surgery. Every patient has very different requirements – some only require liposuction, while others also need additional surgeries. An accurate quote can only be determined after a personalised consultation with Dr Norris, who will consider your needs and individual factors that can influence costs.

Some factors that influence the costs of your procedure include the extent of the procedure and the number of areas being treated, as more extensive liposuction will require more time and effort. Individual patient characteristics, such as the complexity of the procedure plan and any additional procedures performed in conjunction with liposuction, will factor into the final cost. Facility fees, anaesthetist fees and post-operative care can also influence the overall cost.

Since liposuction is hardly ever deemed medically necessary, costs won’t be covered by Medicare or private health insurance. The only time that some fees might be covered is if liposuction forms part of a bigger surgical plan with medical benefits. Dr Norris will talk you through your options during your consultation.

Recovery from liposculpture

After the procedure, our patients must spend three to six hours in the hospital before discharge. Any supplied compression garments must be worn for at least six weeks if not more. Dr Norris will advise you accordingly.

A friend, or responsible adult, must collect you from the hospital. Because your range of movement will be restricted and your pain medication might make you drowsy, you won’t be able to drive yourself home.

Dr Norris will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions and a prescription for pain medication before you go home. Generally, daily short showers after liposculpture are permitted, provided your waterproof dressings are dried adequately.

Sleeping might be uncomfortable for some time, but getting as much rest as possible during your recovery period at home is important. If you need advice on how to get enough sleep during your recovery, please contact the clinic.

Pain and discomfort will be experienced at their worst during the first two days after your procedure, but this can be managed with the prescribed pain medication. It’s completely normal for patients to experience bruising, swelling, tenderness, and sensitivity.

Swelling may vary from patient to patient but should resolve after one to two months. Your personalised recovery instructions will help you to manage pain, discomfort and swelling effectively.

While scarring is an inevitable part of any surgical procedure, the scars associated with liposuction are minor and will almost always fade over time. Along with strategically placing your scars in areas that hide them, Dr Norris will also provide you with professional scar management tips that you can use after your liposculpture procedure.

Patients can engage in light activities such as walking two weeks after their liposculpture procedure, but a regular exercise routine can only be resumed after six weeks. Dr Norris should clear you for this first. Patients can return to work after a week but should stick to light duties for at least three weeks. Your personalised instructions may have varying times, so it’s important to refer to your individual instructions closely.

A follow-up appointment will be booked for you on day seven after the operation. This is to check your wounds and change the dressing. It’s very rare for patients to undergo a second liposuction procedure unless they gain and lose significant weight again.

Patients can expect to see the final results of their procedure after several months, with varying times per patient depending on how fast their body heals. As with the results of all cosmetic surgery procedures, some patience will be required to see the final outcome. Initial swelling will need to subside and incision sites must heal sufficiently.

Potential risks and complications

You will discuss the risks and complications of the procedure during your consultation. You can also receive advice on minimising these risks while preparing for your surgery and during recovery.

The risks and complications that can be associated with liposculpture procedures can include:

Haematoma – This refers to excess blood collecting in the treated area. If the body doesn’t naturally absorb the blood, it must be drained surgically. Haematoma symptoms include swelling, pain, bruising and skin that feels warm.

Seroma — This is the accumulation of fluid beneath the skin in the area where liposuction was performed. It can lead to swelling and discomfort and may require drainage.

Infection – Infection is always possible after cosmetic surgery, with the highest risks during the first three weeks. Symptoms of an infection include redness around the incisions, itchy skin and high temperatures. Infections should be treated as soon as possible with antibiotics.

Skin Laxity – This may occur in patients who have had more fat removed. This can occur in areas such as the inner and outer thighs and arms/batwings are treated. Dr Norris will advise you if this is a possible complication. Patients may need to pair liposuction with other body contouring procedures, such as an abdominoplasty or arm lift (Brachioplasty).

Numbness – It’s not uncommon for patients to experience numbness in the treated areas. This complication often resolves within a few months if it does occur.

Contour Irregularities – The skin can appear bumpy after surgery due to poor skin elasticity, healing issues and uneven fat removal. While these changes are permanent, patients are generally only at risk should they choose an inexperienced surgeon for their procedure.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) — Although rare, liposuction can increase the risk of blood clots forming in deep veins (DVT) and potentially travelling to the lungs (PE). This is a serious complication that will require immediate medical attention.

Allergic Reactions — Some patients may experience allergic reactions to medications or anaesthesia during the procedure. If experienced, this will require immediate medical attention to address.

Scarring — While liposuction incisions are generally small, they can still leave scars. In some cases, hypertrophic or keloid scars may develop. Scarring typically fades as the body heals, but Dr Norris can advise you on how to help scarring fade more efficiently during recovery.

Skin Necrosis — In some cases, the blood supply to the skin in the treated area may be compromised, leading to skin tissue death (necrosis). This can result in skin discolouration and scarring.

Contour Asymmetry — Achieving complete symmetry with liposuction can be challenging, and in some cases, patients may notice subtle or noticeable differences in the contour of treated areas.

Liposculpture in Sydney: Why choose Dr Benjamin Norris

As an experienced liposuction surgeon in Sydney, with Bondi Junction and Bella Vista clinics, Dr Benjamin Norris is a fully qualified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with particular experience in Cosmetic Surgery.

Before completing his Plastic Surgery training in Sydney, he studied internationally in Auckland and the United Kingdom, where he performed procedures using short-scar and minimal-scar techniques.

He has professional associations in Australia and the United States, as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Committed to staying up to date with the latest techniques in cosmetic surgery, Dr Norris continues to travel to Cosmetic Plastic Surgery centres in Europe and the United States.

Choosing an experienced surgeon at the level of Dr Norris for liposuction is essential, as an experienced surgeon possesses the knowledge and skillset to perform the procedure effectively. An experienced surgeon understands the intricacies of anatomy and can tailor the liposuction technique to each patient’s unique needs, as well as help minimise the risks and complications associated with liposuction.

If you are interested in undergoing liposculpture, please get in touch with our team to book your first consultation.