Liposuction is a very popular and safe form of cosmetic surgery. It is not, as some people assume, a weight loss method although a typical procedure will remove 10 to 15 pounds of fat. Liposuction is primarily for the removal of stubborn fatty deposits which the patient is unable to shift through either diet or exercise. The goal of fat removal surgery is to create a more streamlined figure.

Because of the popularity of liposuction and the fact that most clinics specialising in cosmetic surgery offer it, it is easy to shop around for a provider who will offer both a competitive price and who will do a good job with the procedure. Prices vary widely so check the details of as many clinics as possible. For instance, BUPA's current prices are quoted as £1,500 to £5,000 depending on which areas of the body require treatment and how extensive the fat removal needs to be. Private clinics often charge from £2,200 upwards, but can offer very competitive prices.

Prior to fat removal surgery being carried out, the surgeon will mark out the problem areas on the patient's body and decide where small incisions will be made to insert small tubes and suck out the fat. Liposuction can be performed under local anaesthetic if only minor fatty deposits are being removed. However, it is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. A minor operation takes just 30 minutes and the patient can return home the same day, while more extensive surgery will take up to 90 minutes and may require an overnight stay at the clinic or hospital.

The effects of liposuction surgery will be visible within days, but it takes up to 6 months to see the final results. This is the amount of time it takes for all swelling and bruising to disappear and for the skin to fully retract.

Liposuction is a relatively low risk surgery. In a small number of cases the swelling may be greater than expected and cause a lot of discomfort to the patient and very rarely the incisions made to allow the insertion of the tubes may become infected. Occasionally, the skin overlying where the fat deposits were removed may be left sagging. This risk mostly applies to patients who are very overweight or who had liposuction on the stomach area.