How to Prepare for Liposuction

In the lead up to your procedure, you should follow several careful steps to prepare yourself for the liposuction surgery. Liposuction is highly effective at removing pockets of fat contouring the physique, but careful preparation will help ensure these results are long lasting and match your cosmetic goals.

This article will explore the best ways to prepare for your liposuction procedure, as well as answering some of the more common questions patients have about the procedure itself.

The CREO Clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Omar Tillo, is a body contouring expert and highly skilled cosmetic surgeon. Dr. Tillo is able to carefully target pockets of stubborn fat to add definition and enhance the overall proportions of the body. 
Contact the CREO Clinic today to discover how Dr. Tillo can use liposuction to sculpt your physique.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Omar Tillo MD, MS, EBOPRAS, FRCS (Plast)

Understanding Liposuction: What You Need to Know Beforehand

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a vacuum cannula to create a suction effect, removing deposits of fat from the body. Depending on your needs, liposuction can reduce fat pockets in multiple areas of the body, including the abdomen, knees, buttocks, calves, and thighs. You can also treat areas on the face such as the chin or neck.

Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL), Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction and Radiofrequency Assisted Liposuction (BodyTite) are the three main types of liposuction – which type is most appropriate for you will depend on your aesthetic needs.

For patients wishing to treat the abdomen in its entirety, 360 Lipo targets multiple areas around the abdomen and back to give a full 360° improvement to contour. Abdominal etching, a type of HD liposuction, can also be used to give greater muscle definition to the abdominal muscles. 

Potential Benefits and Risks

Liposuction is a well-tolerated procedure with many rewarding benefits, such as:

• Removal of stubborn fat deposits – Pockets of fat that prove resistant to exercise or changes in diet can be permanently removed.
• Improves body contour – Fat removal can create better definition in the target areas of the body and sculpt a more aesthetically pleasing figure.
• Can treat multiple areas – Multiple areas of the body can be treated with liposuction in one procedure.
• Combines well with other surgeries – Many patients combine liposuction with other procedures such as a tummy tuck, BBL, or breast augmentation.
• Harvested fat can be used for other procedures – The fat removed by liposuction can be used in fat transfer to create volume in other places, such as the breasts or buttocks.

Liposuction is a very well tolerated procedure and the risk of post surgical complications is low, especially in the hands of an experienced surgeon. Some of the more common side-effects during the healing process are swelling, bruising, and numbness in the treated areas after the procedure – these should disappear after a few days. Some of the rarer complications are reactions to anaesthetic, infection at the incision sites, poor wound healing, asymmetry, irregularities on the skin surface, and skin laxity or sagging.

Importance of Adequate Preparation

Preparing yourself for your liposuction will help to ensure your incisions heal optimally, and ensure greater comfort both during and after the procedure. Following the preparation advice of your surgeon to the letter is the best way to make sure any risk of cosmetic surgery complications is kept to a minimum.

Medical Evaluation and Health Considerations

Choosing the Right Surgeon

Making sure you are treated by a highly experienced surgeon is of paramount importance – only a surgeon who is an expert in liposuction and body contouring procedures will help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Be sure to confirm they are qualified and board-certified to work as a plastic surgeon in the United Kingdom and that they specialise in your chosen procedure. You can confirm they are a specialist by making sure they offer a limited range of targeted surgeries – in this case, ensure they are an expert in body contouring and liposuction.

Dr. Omar Tillo, the CREO Clinic’s body contouring specialist, is double board-certified and has a history of extremely positive patient reviews for liposuction procedures.

Importance of a Comprehensive Medical Check-Up

During your initial consultation with Dr. Tillo, he will make a thorough assessment of your medical history including reviewing a set of recent blood tests. From this assessment, Dr. Tillo can ensure you are a good candidate for liposuction and that there are no contraindications that might increase your risk of complications.

In advance of your initial consultation, it is often advisable to undergo a comprehensive medical check up to ensure you are healthy – ideal candidates for liposuction will be in good physical and mental health. At the CREO Clinic we ask to see a range of general blood tests for each patient, as this helps us determine your suitability for the procedure.

Identifying Health Conditions that Affect Liposuction

In order to understand your general medical health, Dr. Tillo will look through a GP summary of your medical history and identify any potential contraindications, such as:

• Cardiac issues

• Problems with the liver or kidneys

• Anaemia

• Mental health concerns (e.g. depression or anxiety)

• A BMI above 35 (use our handy BMI checker to find out your current BMI)

• Other health concerns not listed (if you are unsure, Dr. Tillo can answer any queries and provide a list of contraindications)

Pre-Surgery Preparations

Necessary Lifestyle Changes Before Liposuction

There are some key lifestyle changes that are necessary in the lead up to your liposuction:

• Abstain from smoking – In the four weeks leading up to your liposuction, you should abstain completely from smoking, vaping or nicotine patches, as nicotine can have a negative effect on the healing of your incisions
• Reduce alcohol intake – Try to reduce your intake of alcohol and avoid binge drinking alcohol for two weeks before your surgery. Like nicotine, alcohol can also negatively affect circulation and wound healing
• Avoid UV ray exposure – Too much exposure to sunlight and UV rays can have a negative effect on both your surgery and your recovery.Dr. Tillo recommends avoiding direct sun exposure for three months at least, especially if your skin is showing signs of hyperpigmentation (darkening), so try to stay out of the sun or wear high factor sun cream whenever sun exposure is inevitable.

Diet and Nutrition Guidelines

In the two days preceding your liposuction, try to maintain a healthy diet and avoid heavy, fatty foods. A lighter diet is better for these last days before your surgery, and it is important to avoid foods or herbal supplements that may result in constipation – this can cause discomfort during recovery. Should you have any issues maintaining nutrition in the lead up to your procedure, our nutritionist can help you to organise a balanced diet that is personalised to your tastes and needs.

On the night before your surgery, ensure that you do not eat anything after midnight as this is vital to reduce the risk of any complications whilst under anaesthesia.

Recommended Physical Activities

Maintaining a regular and consistent exercise routine is an important part of preparation for liposuction. Try to continue with exercises you already enjoy – walking, jogging or activities in the gym are all good options. Not only will this keep you healthy and boost your metabolism, it can also help reduce your weight and thereby enhance your final results.

Understanding the Finances

Cost Analysis of Liposuction

An important part of the lead up to your liposuction is understanding the financial outlay. Try to be clear on how many areas of liposuction you require – the number and size of the areas you wish to treat will directly impact the final cost.

At the CREO Clinic, the cost of liposuction begins from £3,900 for a small area and £5,900 for a larger area.. Every liposuction procedure at our clinic is bespoke to your needs, which means a full cost breakdown is only available after your initial consultation.

Insurance and Financing Options

Paying for your liposuction over multiple instalments can be a great option for lightening the immediate financial burden. The CREO Clinic’s financing partner, Chrysalis Finance, provides a variety of financing options that may be useful during your pre-procedure planning.

Day-Before Surgery Checklist

Last-Minute Preparations

One of the most important final preparations before your liposuction is to prepare your home to make it as comfortable as possible upon your return. Prior to your surgery, obtain pillows and set up an area where you can rest comfortably. You may also want to ensure you have over-the-counter pain medication ready for your recovery and an easy to eat selection of nutritious meals prepared in advance.

Organising transport to and from your procedure, as well as help returning home is also crucial. Ensure that any responsibilities in the home, such as childcare or pet care, can be taken by someone else in the first day or two after your procedure.

The Day of the Surgery: What to Expect

Procedure Overview

Dr. Tillo will first mark out the different areas of your body where he will target specific fat deposits, then our anaesthetist will administer your anaesthetic and/or sedative – this will make sure you are comfortable throughout the surgery.

Once a small incision has been made, a suction cannula is then inserted into the target area to break down and remove the necessary amount of fat. Dr. Tillo then closes your incisions with dissolvable sutures.

Anesthesia and Safety Measures

Before the surgery, our anaesthetist will administer a sedative or general anaesthetic to make you as comfortable as possible throughout your procedure. The procedure will not start before we the surgical team has confirmed you are fully sedated.

Contact CREO For Your Liposuction Consultation Today

Book a consultation with the CREO Clinic today and speak to Dr. Omar Tillo about the many benefits liposuction can bring. Dr. Tillo is a specialist in body contouring procedures and is experienced in the use of liposuction to add definition to the physique.

Liposuction Preparation FAQs