Skip to content Liposuction can be used on many areas of the body and is commonly used on the abdomen, thighs, arms and buttocks. Dr Flood offers two types of liposuction: tumescent and ultrasonic
Sydney area plastic surgeon Dr John Flood has a high level of technical experience. Liposuction surgery requires experience, a trained eye, and a detailed treatment plan.
In Sydney, liposuction can be used on many areas of the body and is commonly used on the abdomen, thighs, arms and buttocks. Dr Flood offers two types of liposuction: tumescent and ultrasonic.
Tumescent liposuction involves infusing the treatment area with an anaesthetic solution to help make fat removal easier. A thin cannula (between 2.0 and 3.5 mm in diameter) is then used to suction out the excess fat cells. The tumescent approach reduces blood loss and allows for sufficient healing with less bruising and discomfort.
Dr Flood often uses ultrasonic liposuction at his Sydney-area practice to assist with fat removal during tumescent liposuction; but in some cases, this technique may be used alone. Ultrasonic liposuction uses a special cannula that emits ultrasound energy to heat and melt fat before it is suctioned out of the body. This makes it easier to remove stubborn fat from fibrous tissues in areas like the flanks. Ultrasonic liposuction can also have a slight tightening effect on the skin, which helps with skin contraction and reduces rippling.
Dr Flood will explain each procedure in detail and suggest the appropriate method of liposuction based on your personal needs. He will work with you to develop a surgical plan that you feel comfortable with.
Dr Flood will first examine the tissues requiring liposuction in order to determine which treatment should be used. He will also take photographs to help him analyse your body shape and the appropriate approach to surgery. You may be invited back for a second consultation so that Dr Flood can answer any questions you have and finalise the surgical details. Dr Flood will give you suggestions on how to support your recovery and results, such as avoiding blood thinning agents for two weeks before your procedure.
Liposuction can usually be performed under a light anaesthetic and does not require an overnight stay. However, for more extensive procedures, Dr Flood may use general anaesthetic for added comfort. For most surgeries, Dr Flood uses the tumescent approach and begins by injecting the treatment area with a tumescent solution. He then inserts the cannula through small incisions and gently moves it back and forth to suction out the fat cells. The ultrasonic liposuction cannula may be used during this step to assist with fat removal, depending on the patient.
Liposuction can usually be performed under a light anaesthetic and does not require an overnight stay. However, for more extensive procedures, Dr Flood may use general anaesthetic. For most surgeries, Dr Flood uses the tumescent approach and begins by injecting the treatment area with a tumescent solution. He then inserts the cannula through small incisions and moves it back and forth to suction out the fat cells. The ultrasonic liposuction cannula may be used during this step to assist with fat removal, depending on the patient.
Liposuction (suction-assisted lipectomy) is a surgical procedure that removes localised deposits of fat from specific areas of the body. It is performed in an accredited surgical facility and involves the use of a cannula inserted through small incisions to suction fat from beneath the skin.
It is important to understand that liposuction is not suited to every area of fat concern, and not every area a patient wishes to address will be appropriate for surgery. The suitability of each area is assessed individually. In some cases, fat that is removed during liposuction may be processed and used in a fat transfer procedure. The relationship between these two procedures is covered in more detail at liposuction vs fat transfer, and information on body fat injections and facial fat transfer is available for patients who are considering whether harvested fat might be used elsewhere.
Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure and is not intended for patients who are significantly overweight. It is most appropriately considered by adults who are at or near a stable body weight and who have localised areas of fat that have not responded to sustained changes in diet and physical activity.
Patients who tend to be more suitable candidates are those with good skin elasticity, as the skin needs to be able to contract and conform to the new contour after fat is removed. In patients with reduced skin elasticity, liposuction alone may result in loose or irregular skin in the treated area, which may not represent an improvement. In these cases, a different surgical approach, or no surgery at all, may be more appropriate.
Liposuction is not appropriate for patients with certain medical conditions, those taking medications that affect bleeding, or those whose overall health makes surgical risk unacceptably high. General health, previous surgical history, and current medications are all assessed during the consultation process.
It is also important to understand what liposuction does not address. It does not treat cellulite, does not tighten loose skin, and does not produce results that are permanent in the event of significant weight gain. Patients who have realistic expectations about what the procedure can and cannot achieve, and who understand that individual results vary, are in a better position to make an informed decision about whether to proceed.
Liposuction in Sydney with Dr Flood is performed in an accredited surgical facility. The procedure is carried out under general anaesthesia in most cases, though the type of anaesthesia used is determined based on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient’s circumstances.
The surgical steps involved in a standard liposuction procedure are as follows.
The duration of surgery varies depending on the number of areas treated and the volume of fat being addressed. Patients should not plan to drive themselves home and should arrange appropriate support for the first days of recovery.
Recovery from liposuction follows a general pattern, though the timeline varies between individuals depending on the areas treated, the volume of fat removed, overall health, and individual healing capacity.
Compression garments are an important part of liposuction recovery and are not optional. Patients should plan to wear them consistently for the period advised by their surgeon. Garments are typically worn both during the day and at night in the early weeks of recovery. Patients should have garments that fit correctly and that they are able to put on and remove independently, or with the assistance of a carer, before discharge.
Return to strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and high-impact activity is typically advised from around six weeks post-operatively, subject to the surgeon’s assessment at follow-up.
The total cost of liposuction in Sydney varies between patients and is not a fixed amount. Fees are determined by a number of clinical and logistical factors that are specific to each patient’s procedure. These are outlined below so that patients understand what contributes to the total cost before attending a consultation.
Medicare and private health insurance rebates may apply in some circumstances, though liposuction performed solely for cosmetic reasons does not attract Medicare rebates. Patients with private health insurance should confirm directly with their insurer what, if anything, their policy covers in relation to surgical facility fees.
Fees are discussed in detail at the time of consultation, once the surgeon has assessed the specific procedure that would be required. Any quote provided reflects the individual patient’s planned procedure.
The total cost of liposuction in Sydney depends on the number of areas being treated, the complexity of the procedure, the anaesthetist’s fees, and the surgical facility fees. There is no single standard fee that applies to all patients. A detailed fee breakdown is provided at the consultation, once the surgeon has assessed the specific procedure that is appropriate for the individual patient. Medicare rebates do not apply to liposuction performed for cosmetic reasons.
Most patients return to sedentary work within one to two weeks, depending on their comfort level and the nature of their role. Strenuous activity and exercise are typically restricted for around six weeks. Swelling continues to resolve over the following months, and the longer-term result is generally assessed at around six months post-operatively. Individual recovery timelines vary depending on the areas treated, the volume of fat removed, and the patient’s own healing capacity.
Fat cells that are removed by liposuction do not regenerate in the treated area. In this sense, the structural change to the treated area is long-lasting. However, if a patient gains significant weight after the procedure, remaining fat cells in both the treated and untreated areas can enlarge. Liposuction does not prevent future changes to body composition associated with weight fluctuation or ageing. Maintaining a stable body weight after the procedure is relevant to preserving the outcome.
Liposuction removes fat but does not directly tighten skin. In patients with good skin elasticity, the skin is generally able to contract and conform to the new contour after fat removal. In patients with reduced skin elasticity, removing fat without addressing the skin may result in loose or irregular skin in the treated area. Patients with concerns about skin laxity should discuss this specifically at the consultation, as a different surgical approach may be more appropriate.
In some cases, fat harvested during liposuction may be processed and used in a fat transfer procedure, either to the face or to selected body areas. This depends on the quality of the harvested fat, the patient’s anatomy, and whether fat transfer is clinically appropriate for the individual. Not all patients who undergo liposuction are suitable for simultaneous fat transfer. The considerations involved in each approach are outlined in liposuction vs fat transfer.
Suitability for liposuction is determined through an individual clinical assessment. Factors that are relevant include the location and characteristics of the fat deposits, skin quality and elasticity, overall health, medical history, current medications, and body weight stability. Liposuction is not appropriate for all patients and is not the right option for every area of fat concern. The consultation is the appropriate setting for assessing your specific circumstances and discussing whether surgery is a reasonable option.
If you are considering liposuction in Sydney and want a clear, individual assessment of whether it is appropriate for your circumstances, a consultation with Dr John Flood provides the opportunity to discuss your medical history, the specific areas you are concerned about, and what surgical options may realistically be relevant for you.
Dr John Flood is a specialist plastic surgeon holding specialist registration with the Medical Board of Australia (specialist registration in Surgery, plastic surgery) and is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
At a consultation, Dr Flood will assess your anatomy, review your health history, and discuss what liposuction would involve for your specific circumstances, including the areas that may be appropriate to address, realistic expectations for the outcome, the recovery process, the risks involved, and the factors that would affect the total fee for your procedure.
To arrange a consultation, visit the contact page.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. It does not substitute for an individual consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Individual results from liposuction vary depending on many factors, including anatomy, skin quality, health, surgical technique, and adherence to post-operative instructions. Results experienced by one patient do not necessarily reflect what another patient will experience.
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