Liposuction guide

Myth or fact

Eight things people believe about liposuction

Guess, then turn the card. Each answer comes with its source.

1. Liposuction makes you lose a lot of weight.

   MythThe scale barely moves: about 1 kg on average after lower body liposuction in one surgeon's series of 301 procedures. In a review of 10 studies of abdominal fat removal in women, none of the five that followed women for 3 to 20 months found a significant weight loss. ASPS and the NHS say it is not a treatment for obesity. 2367

2. Liposuction tightens loose skin.

   MythASPS says it is not possible to improve lax skin tone with liposuction, and lists rippling or loose skin among its risks. Removing extra skin may take further surgery. 6835

3. Liposuction gets rid of cellulite.

   MythASPS says it is not an effective treatment for cellulite and lists worsening of cellulite among its risks. The NHS says it will not remove cellulite or stretch marks. 6735

4. Liposuction removes the belly fat around the organs.

   MythIt is designed for the fat under the skin. In a randomised trial of 36 women who all had abdominal liposuction, the fat around the organs rose by 10% in six months in those who did not exercise. 413

5. Liposuction is meant for people who are close to a healthy weight.

   FactASPS says it works for people of normal weight who have some extra fat, and the NHS that it works most effectively in people who are not overweight. 67

6. Once fat is removed by liposuction, it can never come back.

   It dependsThe removed fat cells do not grow back, but substantial weight gain can change the result. In a randomised trial of 32 women, fat had come back on the abdomen after a year, while the thighs stayed smaller. 131415

7. Compression garments help recovery after liposuction.

   It dependsThey are standard advice: the NHS says to wear one constantly for several weeks to reduce swelling and bruising. But a 2023 review found no randomised or comparative study of compression after body contouring. 725

8. Liposuction is a small operation.

   MythASPS says treating large or multiple areas has taken it from minor to major surgery, and the NHS says it is usually done under general anaesthesia, with most people staying in hospital overnight. A German review of 72 severe cases warned that seeing it as minor surgery ignores its potential for major complications. 4736