Liposuction: Pros, Cons, and Benefits

25 July 2025
Mr A. Siddiqui

Last updated on July 25, 2025

Table of Contents

Liposuction is one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures worldwide—and for good reason. Whether it’s stubborn fat around your abdomen, flanks, or thighs that won’t shift despite diet and exercise, liposuction offers a way to contour your body and enhance your silhouette.

At Breast & Body Clinic UK, we offer a range of advanced liposuction techniques to help patients achieve more refined, natural-looking results.
But before committing to surgery, it’s important to understand the full picture: the benefits, the trade-offs, and whether it’s right for you.

What Are the Benefits of Liposuction?

Liposuction is not a weight-loss solution, but it is one of the most effective techniques for body contouring and targeted fat removal. Whether performed alone or as part of a larger transformation (like a mummy makeover), liposuction offers both aesthetic and psychological benefits. Here’s how it can help:

1. Targeted Fat Reduction

Liposuction removes fat cells from precise areas of the body, offering a level of sculpting that diet and exercise often can’t achieve. It’s ideal for stubborn fat deposits that persist despite a healthy lifestyle. Commonly treated zones include:

Abdomen
Flanks/love handles
Hips and thighs
Upper arms
Chin and neck

This makes it especially useful for shaping your silhouette and refining areas that affect clothing fit and body confidence.

2. Enhanced Body Proportion

By selectively removing fat from stubborn areas, liposuction helps create a more balanced and proportionate body shape.

This is particularly achieved when paired with fat transfer procedures (such as to the buttocks or hips), or combined with tummy tucks or breast surgeries for comprehensive reshaping.

3. Fast, Visible Results

While some swelling and bruising are normal post-surgery, many patients begin to see noticeable improvements within the first few weeks. As healing continues, your new shape becomes more defined—typically revealing final results within 3 to 6 months.

4. Long-Lasting Outcome

Once fat cells are removed through liposuction, they don’t grow back. As long as you maintain a stable weight and healthy habits, your sculpted contours can last for many years. This long-term benefit makes it an excellent investment in the long-term.

5. Boosted Confidence and Comfort

Many patients report feeling more confident in their clothes and more comfortable in their bodies after liposuction. Whether it’s finally being able to wear fitted clothing or simply feeling more aligned with your ideal body image, the emotional benefits can be as significant as the physical changes.

The Pros of Liposuction

Minimally Invasive Techniques

With options like Vaser liposuction, you can achieve smoother results and quicker healing as this technique reduces trauma to surrounding tissues.

Targeted Fat Removal

Liposuction allows for pinpoint precision, removing fat cells in areas that diet and exercise often can’t reach.

Customisable Treatment Plans

Because every body is unique, at Breast & Body UK, we tailor your liposuction procedure to suit your needs—from targeted fat removal in a single zone to a more comprehensive 360-degree sculpting approach.

Can Be Combined with Other Surgeries

Liposuction often complements tummy tucks, breast procedures, or fat transfer to offer a more comprehensive transformation.

Improved Confidence and Clothing Fit

With a more contoured figure, many patients find their clothes fit better and that they feel more confident post-surgery.

Outpatient Surgery

In most cases, you can return home the same day—no hospital stay required.

Long-Term Results with Healthy Habits

Fat cells removed during liposuction don’t regenerate. With consistent weight and exercise, your new shape can last for years.

The Cons of Liposuction

No procedure is without potential drawbacks, though these are typically rare and minimised under expert care:

Swelling and Bruising

These side effects are normal and can last a few weeks. Compression garments help manage them and support healing.

Recovery Time

You may need to rest for 1–2 weeks and avoid vigorous activity for 4–6 weeks depending on the extent of treatment.

Not a Weight Loss Solution

Liposuction is for shaping—not for treating obesity, loose skin, or cellulite.

Possible Scarring

Incisions are small and usually hidden, but minor scarring can occur.

Risk of Contour Irregularities

This is why surgeon experience is key. At Breast & Body UK, our experienced cosmetic surgeons are specialists in aesthetic transformations and ensure that treatment plans are customised to each individual.

Types of Liposuction We Offer

Vaser Liposuction

This technique uses ultrasound energy to break up fat cells before removal. It’s gentler on surrounding tissues and ideal for delicate areas like the arms, chin, or inner thighs. Patients often report faster recovery and more skin tightening compared to traditional methods.

360-Degree Liposuction

Comprehensive body contouring that targets the torso from every angle—front, sides, and back—to create a defined waistline and smooth transitions. It’s popular with patients seeking dramatic, uniform reshaping.

Love Handle Liposuction

Love handles—or fat deposits around the flanks and waist—can be particularly stubborn. Liposuction in this area helps create a more defined waistline and smoother transitions between the abdomen, back, and hips. The result is often a sleeker profile when viewed from the front and back.

Abdomen Liposuction

Whether it’s upper or lower belly fat that won’t budge, abdominal liposuction can help flatten and sculpt this common concern area.

Consulting with a Leading Plastic Surgeon at Breast & Body Clinic UK

Choosing to undergo surgery can be a significant step. By understanding more about the procedures, you can make informed decisions about the best options for your unique needs.

If you’re considering liposuction, speak to our friendly team today and book a free consultation. At Breast & Body Clinic UK, we can help you determine the most suitable approach for your individual goals and expectations. Our experienced cosmetic surgeons will guide you through the process, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident every step of the way.

FAQs

How much fat can liposuction remove?

Most liposuction procedures safely remove between 3–5 litres of fat. The goal isn’t weight loss, but rather targeted body contouring to reshape specific areas. Candidates should be near their ideal weight for best results.

Can the fat come back after liposuction?

The fat cells removed are permanently gone. However, remaining fat cells can still expand if you gain weight. Maintaining a stable lifestyle helps preserve your new shape long-term.

Is liposuction painful?

Some discomfort, bruising, and swelling are expected after surgery—especially in the first week. Most patients find the pain manageable with prescribed medications and the use of compression garments to support healing.

Will I have loose skin after liposuction?

It depends on your skin’s natural elasticity. If your skin doesn’t bounce back easily, some laxity may occur. In such cases, your surgeon may recommend combining liposuction with skin-tightening treatments like a tummy tuck for smoother results.

Am I a good candidate for liposuction?

You’re likely a good candidate if you’re in good health, near your target weight, and looking to improve stubborn fat areas resistant to diet and exercise. Good skin tone enhances outcomes, but options exist for those with reduced elasticity.

Can liposuction treat multiple areas in one procedure?

Yes. It’s common to treat more than one zone in a single session. For example, 360-degree liposuction often targets the abdomen, waist, and flanks together to create a more even, sculpted silhouette.

The information on the website is for general guidance only and cannot be used as a basis to make a surgical decision, an initial consultation with our doctor is required to help patients make an informed decision before proceeding with any surgical procedure. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek the opinion of an appropriately qualified health practitioner

About The Author

Mr A. Siddiqui

Mr Siddiqui is a Consultant Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon, based at The Countess of Chester Hospital in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He trained extensively in plastic surgery before becoming a Consultant in the NHS and developing a private practice in Manchester and other areas of the Northwest. He is considered to be one of the top 10 cosmetic surgeons in Manchester.