# Liposuction

> Citation bundle for Liposuction on The Treatment Registry.
> URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/liposuction
> Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/liposuction

- Category: cosmetic-surgery

## Description

Liposuction, or simply lipo, is a type of fat-removal procedure used in plastic surgery. Evidence does not support an effect on weight beyond a couple of months and does not appear to affect obesity-related problems.

## Overview

Liposuction, often shortened to lipo, is a fat-removal procedure used in plastic surgery. Fat is removed through a cannula, a hollow tube, connected to an aspirator that applies negative pressure to suck out the fat, and the operation may be carried out under general, regional, or local anaesthesia. It has two broad uses. Cosmetic liposuction changes the body's contour or shape to improve the appearance of particular areas, and is generally considered most effective in people of near-normal weight with good skin elasticity. Reconstructive or medically necessary liposuction is used to treat conditions such as lipedema, to remove excess fat in lymphedema, and to remove lipomas. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or weight loss: evidence does not support an effect on weight beyond a couple of months, and it does not improve obesity-related metabolic problems such as insulin resistance. Although the suctioned fat cells are permanently removed, studies show that after a few months overall body fat tends to return to its former level despite an unchanged diet and exercise routine; the returning fat is distributed more toward the abdomen, and the increase in visceral fat around the internal organs has been linked to conditions including diabetes, stroke and heart attack. Several techniques exist, categorised by the amount of fluid injected and by how the cannula works, and surgeons often combine two or more in a single session and pair liposuction with other body-contouring procedures.

## Peer-reviewed outcome rates

- **Complication rate:** 2.62% (range 1.78–3.84%) — from 1 cited source

## Common risks

- bruising and swelling, which may last up to 6 months
- numbness, which should go away in 6 to 8 weeks
- scars
- inflammation of the treated area, or the veins underneath
- fluid coming from the cuts
- swollen ankles (if the legs or ankles are treated)

## FAQs

### How much does liposuction cost?

In the UK, liposuction ranges in price from about £3,000 to £8,500, depending on where you go and the body areas being treated.

### Where do I go to get liposuction?

If you're looking in England, check the [Care Quality Commission (CQC)](http://www.cqc.org.uk/) website for treatment centres that can perform liposuction.

### What does liposuction involve?

Liposuction is usually carried out under [general anaesthesia](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/general-anaesthesia/), although an [epidural anaesthetic](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/epidural/) may be used for liposuction on lower parts of the body.

### What could go wrong after liposuction?

Liposuction can occasionally result in:

### What to do if you have problems?

Cosmetic surgery can sometimes go wrong and the results may not be what you expected.

## Alternative treatments

- **Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting)** — Non-invasive fat reduction for small areas; partial result, no skin tightening.
- **Abdominoplasty** — When skin laxity coexists with fat excess, lipo alone gives a worse result than combined treatment.

## Sources

- [Risks and Complications Rate in Liposuction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.](https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjae074) — Aesthetic Surgery Journal (accessed 2026-08-14)
- [ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery](https://www.isaps.org/medical-professionals/practice-resources/) — International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (accessed 2026-06-29)