What is Liposuction?

Liposuction (or liposculpture) is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat from various parts of the body, assisting in improving body contouring by removing pockets of fat cells in areas including but not limited to the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, chin, and neck.

At Absolute Cosmetic, we offer a range of different liposuction techniques. These liposuction techniques include Vaser Pro Liposuction, Vaser Smooth and Hi-def Vaser.

 

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Common names

Lipo, Tumescent Liposculpture, Vibrasat, Vaser Liposuction, Body Sculpting, Body Contouring, Fat Reduction Surgery and Mega Liposuction

Targeted areas

Liposuction can treat areas such as the lower and upper abdomen, ankles, arms, the "Banana Fold", breasts, "Buffalo Hump", buttocks, calves, chest, chin, jowls, flanks or hips, knees, Monis Pubis, legs, neck, stomach, inner and outer thighs, "Love handles", and waist.

Procedure Information

Procedure Type

Surgical

Cost

The cost of Liposuction starts at $2200.00

Improvement

The maximum amount of fat that can be taken out in one procedure is 5 litres, so the patient must be realistic around this volume. It is possible to do multiple procedures a few days apart and remove more than 5 litres but this must be done cautiously. This is called staged mega liposuction.

Results

Liposuction results can be as quick as one month although three months is average for full results. Some take up to 1-year for their full result.

Recovery Time

Individuals with sedentary jobs should typically take between four and seven days off following liposuction surgery, while those engaged in physically demanding jobs should consider taking one to two weeks off.

Treatable Area's

Liposuction can be used to treat various areas such as the ankles, legs, stomach, love handles, arms, chest, neck, chin, jowls, and breasts.

Cosmetic surgery medical requirements

From 1 July 2023, new regulations around cosmetic surgery were implemented by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) and the Medical Board of Australia. Please make sure you have read and understood these new reforms when considering your cosmetic surgery

READ ABOUT COSMETIC SURGERY MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS HERE

Dr Murray’s Experience With Liposuction

Dr Glenn Murray
Cosmetic Doctor and Medical Director

Dr Glenn Murray completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Western Australia. He continued his training, undertaking both cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgery training.

Dr Murray has trained with some of the best Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeons in the US and worldwide. He is the past president of the Cosmetic Society. Dr Murray has 20+ years of experience in repairing botched overseas surgery.

Dr Murray, the Medical Director at Absolute Cosmetic Medicine, is committed to providing exceptional care to every patient. Contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr Murray.

Cost of Liposuction in Perth

The cost of liposuction depends on how many areas are required. The price of liposuction starts at $2,200.00 per treated area plus a theatre fee. For procedures like Vaser Pro liposuction and Liposculpture, the price starts at $3,300.00 per area plus a theatre fee.

Factors Influencing Cost of Liposuction

When it comes to liposuction, the cost is often a significant consideration for patients. However, it’s crucial to understand that the cost of liposuction can vary depending on many factors. One of the most significant factors is the complexity of the procedure, which can depend on the amount of fat to be removed and the type of liposuction technique used.

The patient’s body type, overall health, and other individual factors that can impact the cost need to be considered. Moreover, age, genetics, and skin elasticity are additional factors that can influence the cost of liposuction.

As we age, our skin may not bounce back as easily as it would for younger patients, making additional procedures like Renuvion necessary for optimal results. Genetics can also influence how much fat a patient retains in specific areas, which can affect the cost of the procedure.

All of these factors must be considered when determining the cost of liposuction, as each patient’s case is unique and requires a personalised treatment plan.

Can liposuction ever be covered by Medicare or health insurance?

Medicare does not cover the cost of cosmetic liposuction. Private health insurance may cover some aspects of liposuction, depending on the individual’s policy and circumstances.

Liposuction is generally categorised as a cosmetic procedure and is typically not covered by health insurance unless performed for medical reasons, such as treating conditions like lipedema. It is recommended to consult with your healthcare and insurance providers to ascertain your medical condition and to determine if any coverage is applicable to you.

Liposuction Payment Options

Following your consultation with Absolute Cosmetic, you will receive a detailed quote outlining all associated costs for your liposuction procedure.

At this time, our Patient Experience Manager will be able to assist you with further information on payment options. Please note that we do not endorse any financing companies and encourage all patients to do their own research. If you require any further information on payment options, you are welcome to contact us on (08) 9389 9099 for further assistance.

 

VASER Pro Liposculpture

VASER Pro is an advanced form of VASER Liposuction that uses ultrasound energy to liquefy the fat cells, making them easier to remove.

VASER Smooth

VASER Smooth is a specialised form of VASER Pro used to treat cellulite by targeting the fibrous bands that cause the dimpled appearance of the skin. This procedure can also be used in combination with traditional liposuction to achieve a smoother and more contoured appearance.

Vibrasat

The Vibrasat is an advanced piece of German-made technology used during liposuction procedures. It utilises a vibrating mechanism to assist in the removal of stubborn fat. The handpiece vibrates back and forth at a high frequency, typically up to 6000 beats per minute, to help loosen and break up fat cells, making them easier to suction out of the body.

In addition to its use in traditional liposuction procedures, the Vibrasat handpiece can also be used in other cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, such as breast reduction and body contouring procedures. Its vibrating mechanism has been shown to improve the precision and effectiveness of these procedures, potentially reducing the risk of complications and improving patient outcomes.

Hi-def VASER

Hi-def VASER Liposuction is a specialised form of VASER liposuction that is designed to enhance the appearance of the underlying muscles by selectively removing fat around them. This technique is often used to create a more defined and sculpted look, particularly in the abdominal area, giving patients the appearance of a “six-pack.”

Due to being licensed as a Day Hospital for liposuction Perth, we prefer using sedation to enhance patient comfort. Excess fat is removed from fat deposits with a suction cannula through small incisions.

Benefits of Liposuction

There are several benefits liposuction can deliver to those looking to improve their body shape and contour. Liposuction can reduce stubborn areas of fat that may be resistant to diet and exercise, creating a smoother, more toned appearance.

Liposuction can be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as breast reductions, to enhance the body’s overall appearance further. Liposuction can also potentially improve certain medical conditions, such as lipodystrophy or gynecomastia, by removing excess fat deposits that can cause discomfort or health issues.

Ideal Candidates for Liposuction

Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss or a healthy lifestyle but rather a method of reshaping your body by removing localised pockets of fat resistant to exercise. The best candidates are those with a stable body weight in the ‘mid-weight’ range, good skin elasticity and a hereditary predisposition to collections of fat. Being in good physical health and having realistic expectations is also important.

It is also essential to be in good physical health and have realistic expectations before considering any cosmetic surgery.

Treatment for Lipedema

Lipedema is a chronic medical condition that causes abnormal fat accumulation in certain areas of the body, such as the hips, thighs, and legs. It typically affects women and can cause pain, tenderness, and swelling in the affected areas. Lipoedema is often misdiagnosed as obesity, leading to frustration and a lack of appropriate treatment.

Although the exact cause is unknown, several treatment options are available, including compression garments, lymphatic drainage, and liposuction. Liposuction can help remove excess fat and alleviate symptoms in affected areas.

Expected Results

How much fat can liposuction remove?

The maximum amount of unwanted fat that can be removed in one procedure is 5 litres, so you must be realistic about the results. It is possible to do multiple procedures to remove fat cells from fat deposits further a few days apart. However, this must be done cautiously, called ‘Staged Mega Liposuction’.

A healthy diet and regular exercise must be followed the procedure. The improvement results from liposuction are long-lasting as the number of fat cells in the treated areas is reduced, and the fat does not shift to other body regions.

How long do results last?

The longevity of the results will vary for each patient. Following your liposuction procedure, the new body’s shape is more or less permanent as liposuction removes fat cells permanently. However, new fat cells can develop if the patient gains significant weight. The remaining fat cells in the body can still increase in size if a person gains weight after liposuction, which can affect the procedure results. Therefore, maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine is important for maintaining liposuction results.

How long does it take to see results?
A 50-90% difference can be expected to be seen in 6-12 months. Feeling but not seeing hard lumps at approximately 2 weeks is typical. These lumps can last up to 6 months, and the lumps shrink with time and can pull the skin tighter.

Fluid lumps with a wave in them should be reported to our staff. These can be seromas, but this complication is rare, and they are usually a nuisance only. If a wound oozes puss or becomes red, hot and swollen, you must immediately report this to us.

Please note that liposuction is designed to remove excess fat deposits. It will not reduce or remove excess skin. Vaser Pro Lipo is an excellent alternative to a tummy tuck and can offer skin tightening. We also provide J Plasma Renuvion Skin Tightening, which uses cold helium plasma to tighten the skin. This procedure can be added to a Liposuction procedure.

Schedule a consultation to learn more about our liposuction procedures and to discuss your individual goals and needs.

 

Liposuction Before and After Results Perth

Manual lymphatic massage

Performing manual lymphatic massage (MLM) on yourself can be beneficial for promoting lymphatic flow and reducing swelling.
Here are some general guidelines for a DIY MLM session: Wait 2 weeks after surgery.1. Prepare the space: Find a comfortable and quiet space where you can lie down or sit in a relaxed position. Use a firm surface, such as a mat or massage table, and ensure the room temperature is comfortable.2. Begin with deep breathing: Take a few deep breaths to relax your body and mind before starting the massage. This helps promote a sense of calm and aids in lymphatic circulation.3. Gentle warm-up: Before directly targeting the lymphatic areas, gently warm up your body by lightly massaging your neck, shoulders, and chest using broad circular motions. This helps prepare the lymphatic vessels for better flow.4. Neck and collarbone area: Start by placing your fingers at the base of your neck and make gentle, slow circular motions, moving towards the collarbone. Repeat this motion several times to stimulate lymphatic drainage in this region.5. Arm massage: For the arms, use gentle, rhythmic motions. Starting from the hand, massage in the direction of the armpit, where the lymph nodes are located. Use a soft touch and repeat the motion several times on each arm.6. Leg massage: Similar to the arm massage, work your way from the feet towards the inguinal lymph nodes located in the groin area. Use light strokes, moving upwards in a rhythmic manner. Repeat the motion several times on each leg.7. Abdominal massage: Place your hands below your ribcage and gently massage in a clockwise circular motion. This helps stimulate lymphatic flow in the abdominal region. Be mindful of any surgical incisions and avoid applying pressure directly to those areas.8. Relaxation and hydration: After completing the massage, take a few moments to relax and continue deep breathing. It’s essential to hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of water to support lymphatic function.Remember, self-massage techniques should be gentle and not cause pain. If you have specific concerns, recent surgical incisions, or complex medical conditions, it’s best to consult with a certified lymphatic massage therapist or your healthcare provider before attempting self-MLM. They can provide personalized guidance and ensure you perform the massage safely and effectively.

Long-Term Recovery

Time off Work
You should have 4-7 days off work if you have a sedentary job. People with physical jobs may require 1-2 weeks off work.

Exercise
The return to exercise is usually relatively quick. As a rough guide, after one week, you can return to light exercise, two weeks for moderate exercise and three weeks for full exercise. This can vary from person to person, so please ensure that you follow your doctor’s recommendation. If you do highly intense exercise, do not return to this level of exercise for at least 6 weeks.

When returning to exercise, it is advisable to do a small amount of exercise, have the next day off and see how you feel, then slowly increase every second day.

Avoid swimming and using hot tubs for at least two weeks or until the wounds fully heal. Intercourse is best avoided for at least one week. As mentioned, smoking is prohibited for six weeks and if you can, try to use this break to give up for good.

You should also buy a thermometer and record your temperature daily. If your temperature is above 37.5 degrees, please report this to the medical staff.

Reasons to Choose Absolute Cosmetic for Your Liposuction Procedure

  • We are WA Health Department licensed and a full-time cosmetic clinic
  • We were one of the first full-time cosmetic clinics in Perth and have over 20 years of experience
  • We’ve performed more than 10,000 liposculpture and liposuction procedures
  • Dr Murray was the first clinic in Australia to offer J Plasma Renuvion Skin Tightening. This procedure utilises cold plasma helium to tighten the skin
  • Dr Murray has a diploma in liposuction and is on the liposuction register. He also assisted in writing the liposuction advisory guidelines for safe practice
  • Dr Murray was initially trained by one of the grandfathers of liposuction, Dr Pierre Fournier and other world experts, including one of the leading plastic surgeons in VASER liposculpture and high-definition VASER
  • We have a very low complication rate for the procedure, and experienced nurses dedicated to after-care, plus a 24-hour on-call service
  • We have our own health department-licensed theatre, so there is no time pressure on the formats of the procedure

*Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

For surgical garments, please get in touch with our Patient Experience Manager.

Risks and Potential Complications of Liposuction

Common Side Effects/Complications

  • Discolouration/bruising
  • Swelling/oedema
  • Minor irregularities
  • Numbness for up to 12 months
  • Scarring
  • 1 to 12 months for the final result

Serious Complications

Like any surgical procedure, liposuction carries some risks and potential side effects. Some possible serious side effects of liposuction may include infection, nerve damage, bleeding and blood clots.

Minimising Risks

It’s essential to follow the post and pre-operative instructions provided by your doctor to minimise the risk of complications and to ensure a smooth recovery.

What to Expect Before Your Liposuction Procedure

Before booking the procedure, you will have a full consultation with the Doctor and Nurses to ensure that you are physically healthy and a suitable candidate for Liposuction cosmetic surgery. Although it is a forgiving procedure, good physical health is essential. A consent form with all side effects, risks and benefits will also be explained and provided.

Pre-operative Care

You must avoid blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory pills, for at least one week before the surgery. If you see a medical specialist for any health conditions, please seek their opinion about your fitness for this procedure.

You must fast on the day of the procedure. You can eat dinner, as usual, the night before, and then you must stop drinking fluids at midnight. On the morning of the procedure, you can take a small sip of water to take your pre-surgery medication.

Alcohol should be avoided for at least 24 hours before the surgery. Smokers must quit before surgery, and smoking and illicit drug use must be strictly avoided before the procedure. We take smoking very seriously as a high risk for any procedure, so you must be aware of the cancellation policy if you smoke. Smoking increases the risk of some serious complications during and after surgery. Ideally, it would be best to stop smoking at least eight weeks before a procedure. Cutting down does not reduce the risk of complications. However, quitting smoking for good is the most significant health benefit.

An information package will be given to you covering medications, blood tests and other pre-procedure instructions. You should commence antibiotics the night before and wash them in an antiseptic solution the morning of the procedure, including your hair.

A blood test must be undertaken at least 1-week before the procedure.

You must arrive at the clinic on time for your liposuction procedure, which means you will have to arrive at the clinic at least half an hour before the start time. Your nurse will perform an extensive admission procedure before admitting you to our fully-licensed surgery.

Patients with reflux should continue their anti-reflux medication, and most medications should be continued other than blood-thinning medications. Check with the doctor before the procedure and the nurse on the day of the procedure.

Your hair and body must be washed with the antiseptic we recommend.

Important: If you’ve been smoking in the last two weeks, the procedure will be cancelled, and payment won’t be refunded.

Photographs will be taken before you change into a surgical gown. In the theatre, a small drip will be inserted. If you are uncomfortable with needles, numbing cream can be applied to the back of the hand before the drip is inserted. Please ask the nurse beforehand. Also, a pre-operative relaxant can be prescribed.

Full monitoring equipment, including a heart rate and oxygen level monitor, are used during liposuction surgery. You will receive sedation and will go into varying degrees of sleep, and you should not recall any of the procedures.

During the Procedure/How Liposuction Works

Sedation/Anesthetic
Tumescent liposculpture is a day procedure performed under local anaesthetic and sedation. A weak local anaesthetic ‘tumescent’ solution is injected into the areas for fat removal. This special tumescent solution numbs the area, restricts bleeding and loosens the fat, facilitating easy removal by suction.

How the surgery works
Small, strategically placed incisions allow the passage of a fine hollow metal tube or “cannula” attached to a vacuum pump. The surgeon carefully and artfully guides the cannula within the layer of fat, breaking it up and suctioning it out. Compared to traditional liposuction, modern tumescent liposculpture is extremely safe and less painful, with a quicker recovery time.

Is liposuction painful?
While the procedure is performed under anesthesia, the recovery period can be uncomfortable for some patients.

Patients may experience pain, swelling, and bruising in the treated areas during the first few days after the procedure. The discomfort can be managed with pain medications prescribed by the doctor.

Liposuction Recovery and Aftercare

Immediate Post-Operative Care

It would be best if you were picked up by a competent adult who can assist you at home for the first night. The surgery typically takes 4-5 hours, and you can expect to go home on the same day. It would be best if you were fully recovered before leaving. Please inform your nurse if you suffer from nausea after the anaesthetic.

Your nominated carer must give you medications, as the anaesthetic can make you forgetful and help you avoid a double-up of medications.

Your carer must also escort you to the toilet and back, ensuring you get up slowly to avoid light-headedness. If you become light-headed, the carer should lie flat and elevate your legs.

Our doctors are on call 24 hours a day and will phone you to check up on you. For the first night, it is wise to rest but perform the leg and deep breathing exercises as instructed by your nurse.

The following day you’ll be up and about as normal, with discomfort levels that many describe as similar to after a heavy workout. Avoid lifting anything heavier than 2.5 kg.

The wounds will ooze a raspberry cordial-coloured fluid, and this is normal. We advise wearing old pyjamas and lying on a towel. The wounds will close over the following day or when the oozing stops. The nursing staff will see you the next day to clean the area and close the wounds. The doctor will also check for any abnormalities.

Avoid showering on the first day. A garment will be applied, and you will be instructed on how to care for this. As mentioned, smoking is strictly prohibited.

Alternatives to Liposuction Surgery

If you’re seeking a non-surgical method to reduce body fat, Absolute Cosmetic offers a range of effective alternatives to liposuction surgery.

These treatments can help you achieve your body contouring goals without requiring invasive procedures. Our non-surgical options include the following:

  • AbsoluteSculpt
  • CoolSculpting
  • Ultraformer
"Dr Murray was originally trained by one of the grandfathers of liposuction, Dr Pierre Fournier."

How can we help?

Whether you have a treatment in mind, or you have a condition that you’d like to discuss with one of our professionals, please make an enquiry using this form. Be sure to include your ideal date and time for your appointment

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