It is normally performed under local anaesthetic and sedation.

It requires a blood test and electrocardiogram.

It is normally performed on an outpatient basis without requiring hospital admission.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure which consists in the removal of surplus fat from the area of the body affected through its aspiration with fine cannulae which are inserted into the fatty deposits located under the skin. With the suction of surplus fat, the area treated can be moulded with the subsequent improvement in the figure and the outline shape.

The fat extracted does not return because fat cells stop reproducing at the end of puberty.  Therefore, as long as the liposuction is performed after the age of approximately sixteen, the lipodystrophy will not reappear.

DURATION: it will depend on the volume to be extracted and can vary from one to two hours.

After liposuction and throughout the first month, a corset must be used and massages performed on the treated area in order to control inflammation and allow the skin to adapt to the new contours.  In the majority of cases, the post-operative recovery period is 24 hours.

In addition to the swelling and the haematomas pertaining to the intervention itself, liposuction leaves minute, barely perceptible scars, as the cannulae through which the fat is aspirated are very fine.  Some time must pass before these marks disappear and the results can be appreciated one hundred per cent.  In relation to possible discomfort, this will depend on the region treated and the extent.  The stomach area tends to be more painful.  Liposuction on the knees and thighs can also cause significant discomfort for the first few days but this is managed well with analgesics.  Lymphatic drainage massages must be performed twice a week during the first month to facilitate recovery.

Physical exercise can be resumed a week after the intervention except for sports which involve jumping such as jogging or aerobics, where it is advisable to wait a full month.