Is Liposuction Safe?

In London and across the U.K., liposuction is a well tolerated, highly versatile procedure that can remove excess fat and sculpt the body. During 2023 liposuction was the most popular cosmetic procedure or fat reduction surgery option! For those wondering is liposuction safe?, the answer is generally yes—especially in the hands of an experienced cosmetic surgeon such as the CREO Clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Omar Tillo.

This article will explore the safety of liposuction and provide you with the details you need to feel fully informed about the procedure.

As an expert body contouring and fat reduction surgeon, Dr. Tillo has a history of delivering high-quality liposuction results while always prioritising patient safety and well-being. He can help you achieve the aesthetic change you desire while providing peace of mind. 

Discover how Dr. Tillo can reshape your physique with liposuction. 

Liposuction is a Generally Safe Procedure in the UK

In general, liposuction is considered a safe surgical procedure, with fewer than 1% of all patients experiencing major complications. At CREO, we take patient safety extremely seriously, and your well-being is of paramount importance to our clinical team.

To minimise any risks, we ensure all our patients are treated by a specialist in traditional liposuction and laser-assisted liposuction. Dr. Tillo is a surgeon with proven experience and skill in the field of body contouring, and patient testimony detailing Dr. Tillo’s patient care and surgical outcomes is available to read here.

Risks of Liposuction

As with any surgical procedure, liposuction does carry some risks, but some risks are more common than others. For example, bruising and swelling around the treatment sites, scars and a degree of temporary numbness are all relatively common side-effects from liposuction surgery. There are other potential complications, such as:

• Infections at the incision sites
• Asymmetry in fat removal
• Irregularities in the surface of the skin

• Blood vessels damage during the procedure
• Skin sensation changes, such as numbness or tingling
• Reactions to anaesthetic

How to avoid liposuction complications

Don’t hide anything in your medical history

During your initial consultation, Dr. Tillo will study your medical history carefully to ensure there are no medical conditions on your history that could make you ineligible for liposuction. To help ensure your safety, it is important to be completely forthright during this conversation – anything in your medical history you leave out could put you at risk of unforeseen complications. 

Make good lifestyle choices

In the run-up to your fat reduction surgery, Dr. Tillo will outline some important changes that will minimise the risk of complications. For example, you should refrain from nicotine use (smoking,vaping and patches) during the four weeks prior to your liposuction, and should reduce your intake of alcohol in the run-up to the surgery – both nicotine and alcohol can negatively impact wound healing. 

Also, maintaining a stable weight is essential. Significant weight fluctuations post-surgery can impact results, potentially leading to loose skin. You must ensure your BMI is safely under 35 before liposuction surgery, so maintaining a balanced diet will be key. Speak with our in-house dietitian if you feel you need assistance with a diet plan ensuring your body fat percentage is within a safe range.

Work with a licensed UK surgeon

One of the key factors in minimising liposuction risks is choosing the right surgeon for you. But above all, your surgeon should be licensed to work in the UK – this means they are a board-certified plastic surgeon qualified to perform a major surgery such as liposuction. You can check this on the General Medical Council website by searching the name of your prospective surgeon.

Dr. Tillo can be found on the GMC register and is also a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) and a member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS).

Follow appropriate after-care instructions

After your surgery, you will be given thorough after-care instructions by Dr. Tillo that will help optimise the process of healing. These instructions will include advice on incision care, sleeping positions, and timelines and when you can return to work and exercise. Make sure to follow these instructions carefully, as these will work to safeguard you from complications.

It is also vital to attend all follow-up appointments with Dr. Tillo so he is able to assess how your recovery is progressing, and you are able to ask any questions or queries you may have.

People who shouldn’t get liposuction

It is important to note that liposuction is not a weight loss surgery and as such is not suitable for patients seeking liposuction for this purpose. Targeted liposuction also cannot remove cellulite, stretch-marks or lax skin (a tummy tuck may be preferable where lax skin is a concern). Overall, liposuction should be viewed as a way to permanently remove targeted deposits of fat in order to sculpt the physique, and is not a substitute for a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Other people who may not be suitable for the procedure are those with long-term medical conditions, such as diabetes as well as heart or liver conditions.

What is the safest type of liposuction?

The CREO Clinic uses three main types of liposuction technologies which are all regarded as equally safe: Power Assisted liposuction (PAL), radiofrequency Assisted Liposuction (BodyTite), Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (Vaser) and Renuvion. 

There is also the more comprehensive 360 Lipo, which treats the full 360-degree area of the lower abdomen. HD liposuction, or abdominal etching, is another targeted liposuction technique that removes fat deposits around the abdominal muscles to create contour that highlights the muscles.

In the hands of the right surgeon, these procedures should be equally safe, but may differ in other ways – some may treat certain areas of the body better than others, or remove larger or smaller quantities of fat cells. It is worth comparing the different types of liposuction before your consultation with Dr. Tillo.

Talk with a surgeon about your liposuction procedure

Schedule your first consultation with Dr. Omar Tillo, our liposuction specialist and board-certified cosmetic surgeon. Dr. Tillo has the skill and experience to provide excellent long-term outcomes and make artful adjustments to the shape and contour of your body.