Lipoplasty (Liposuction)

Liposuction, or fat removal surgery, is a method For removing stubborn fat deposits.

Liposuction, commonly known as fat removal surgery, can assist in getting rid of fat in those problem areas that won’t seem to budge, no matter how healthy you eat or how vigorously you exercise.

Advances in liposuction techniques have greatly improved the potential results in recent years — specialist surgeons like Dr Lim can now remove up to five litres of fat relatively safely in a single procedure.

Our patients turn to liposuction for help with stubborn fat on their hips, thighs, buttocks, ankles, back, arms, stomach or chin.

During this procedure, Dr. Lim removes stubborn fat deposits. He takes his time with the procedure an optimal result.

Individual factors and personal preferences will help you and Dr Lim to determine how much fat is to be removed and exactly where incisions will be made. This will be discussed during the consultation process.

Tiny incisions are made at the sites where fat is to be removed and a solution is infused to provide anaesthesia, reduce bleeding and improve fat extraction. Dr Lim uses various sizes and dimensions of extraction cannulae — hollow, tubular instruments with holes at one end — to trap the fat. The cannula is attached to suction tubing through which the fat is removed.

Dr Lim will do his best to minimise scarring, and the location and length of your incisions will be discussed with you in the consultation process.

Fat removal surgery is individually customised to each patient depending on their personal requirements — during the consultation period, Dr Lim will take you through all available options and possible outcomes.

Liposuction may take a few hours and is performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital. Depending on the extent of the procedure and the amount of fat to be removed, you may be discharged on the day of the surgery or you will be required to stay in hospital overnight.

You will be provided with a supportive garment that will help decrease the bruising and swelling, which must be worn for a few weeks after the surgery. Dr Lim will review you post-operatively and will prescribe analgesia and antibiotics for you to continue at home.

My Klinik staff will stay in touch with you after the procedure, monitor your progress and answer any questions or concerns as they arise. You’ll have reviews with Dr Lim one week, one month and three months after surgery.

Our goal is to make your experience as supportive as possible — Dr Lim and the My Klinik staff are always willing to answer any questions you may have.

Dr Lim’s 2023 Abdominoplasty Guide

Abdominoplasty Guide
Abdominoplasty Guide

Pre and Post-Operative Care

  • You must fast prior to your procedure — do not eat, drink (even water) or chew anything for at least six hours before your procedure. The hospital will ring you the day before your procedure to confirm your admission time.
  • If you have a gastric band or sleeve, you will need to have a fluid diet the day before your surgery and fast for at least eight hours on the day of your procedure.
  • Notify Dr Lim of any medications that you are currently taking.
  • Do not take any medication that contains aspirin, or any anti-inflammatory or herbal medication for two weeks before your procedure. Aspirin thins the blood, which can result in unnecessary blood loss during your procedure.
  • Do not smoke for four weeks before and four weeks after your procedure. Smoking decreases blood flow to the skin and may delay the healing process.
  • Do not drink any alcohol for two days before and two days after your procedure as it can interfere with the anaesthetic you will be given on the day.
  • Vitamin C may help reduce your healing time and is recommended for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery.
  • Do not wear any nail polish, make-up or jewellery to the hospital and leave any valuables at home.
  • You will need comfortable, loose clothing, like a tracksuit, in a dark colour to wear home from the hospital. This will prevent pressure on the tender surgical sites and hide any oozing of fluid.
  • Dr Lim will normally visit you in the hospital shortly after your procedure or the morning after if you stay overnight.
  • General anaesthetic can take a few days to recover from — it can be quite normal to feel a little slow or out of sorts for a few days. You should not attempt to drive a car for at least two to three days.
  • There may be some oozing from the incision sites, which will range from light to quite heavy and may even be blood stained. You will have band-aids over the incision sites — these may need to be changed if they become very moist. If you are concerned, please do not hesitate to contact My Klinik.
  • Some bruising and swelling is normal and may take weeks to completely go down.
  • You will be given a support garment to help reduce the bruising and swelling. This should stay in place for the first 24 hours. The garment should then be worn night and day for at least three weeks, then only during the night for the three weeks after that. The garment must be worn for a total of six weeks.
  • It is crucial that you finish the course of antibiotics you are prescribed to prevent any post-op infection. Dr Lim will also prescribe oral pain relief — please contact My Klinik if this doesn’t control your pain.
  • Do not smoke during your recovery period as this may slow the healing process and affect wound healing.
  • My Klinik nursing staff will contact you to make sure that you are feeling comfortable and to confirm your one-week post-op checkup with Dr Lim.
  • Contact My Klinik if any of the following develop:
    • A temperature higher than 38°C or chills
    • Heavy bleeding or fluid from the incision or drain site
    • Increasing pain
    • Redness around the incisions that is spreading.
  • Dr Lim and the nursing staff are available to you as you recover — should you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact My Klinik. For after-hours concerns, please contact the hospital where you had your surgery and they will be able to contact Dr Lim as required.

Liposuction FAQs

You might consider liposuction if you are basically satisfied with your body but there is stubborn fat on your hips, thighs, ankles, back, arms, stomach or chin.

Liposuction is best suited for patients in good physical health, who don’t smoke and who have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure.

Individual factors and personal preferences will help you and Dr Lim to determine how much fat is to be removed and exactly where incisions will be made. This will be discussed during the consultation process.

Tiny incisions are made at the sites where fat is to be removed and a solution is infused to provide anaesthesia, reduce bleeding and improve fat extraction. Dr Lim uses various sizes and dimensions of extraction cannulae — hollow, tubular instruments with holes at one end — to trap the fat. The cannula is attached to suction tubing through which the fat is removed.

Your first consultation with Dr Lim will take around 45 minutes and you are most welcome to bring a support person with you. Due to social distancing measures as a result of COVID-19, the support person may not be able to enter the rooms (depending on the number of persons in the rooms at that particular time).

Dr Lim will take the time to discuss the procedure with you, the changes you desire, and any other issues related to the appearance of your body that you feel are important to you. This will help Dr Lim understand your expectations and determine if they are achievable.

Dr Lim will explain the risks of surgery and discuss the methods of liposuction with you. Your body will be assessed, and a few measurements and photographs will be taken to plan the procedure.

You do not have to make the decision to proceed with the surgery at this initial consultation. You will be given a written quotation and information to take home to read.

Dr Lim will examine your body and consider factors such as the size and shape of your body, the quality of your skin, and the positioning of your areas of concern.

Please come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions you have, medications you are currently taking, allergies you have, other medical treatments you have received and any previous surgery you have had.

A second consultation is required if you wish to proceed with surgery.

Avoid products that contain aspirin, vitamin E, glucosamine, herbal supplements, fish oil and krill oil for four weeks before surgery. We also strongly recommend avoiding alcohol, and not smoking for four weeks before and after surgery. Smoking can negatively affect the healing process.

On the day of surgery, patients should wear comfortable, loose clothing that does not need to be pulled over the head or face. Don’t wear any make-up, jewellery or nail polish.

We want to make this experience as supportive as possible — you will be given all pre-operative instructions prior to your procedure but please don’t hesitate to call My Klinik if you have any questions or concerns before your surgery.

Dr Lim performs all surgeries at fully accredited hospitals — Lakeview Private Hospital and Westmead Private Hospital. Liposuction is performed under general anaesthetic as a day surgery. In some cases an overnight stay may be recommended.

Please contact the hospital a day before surgery to confirm your admission and fasting time. On entering the hospital, you need to report to the admissions desk and the staff will direct you through the admission process. Dr Lim and the anaesthetist will both see you prior to surgery and Dr Lim will make some markings on your body.

After the procedure, you will spend some time in the recovery room where you will be closely monitored until you are fully awake.

The first days after surgery are usually the most uncomfortable and painful, particularly when you are moving around. Like most operations, it is not painless; you will be prescribed pain medication during this period and Dr Lim will provide a prescription for you upon discharge. It is also normal to feel tired and a little slow for a day or two following a general anaesthetic.

Everyone is different, so the recovery period following this procedure varies from person to person — most patients are back to their normal routine in approximately two weeks.

Your body will be sensitive for two to three weeks following surgery and should be handled according to your own level of comfort.

Returning to work depends on the demands of your job — you may be able to return to light work within a week or two. Dr Lim will discuss your individual situation with you before and after your surgery.

We endeavour to make sure our patients are as informed as possible. While some of the potential risks seem frightening, it is important for you to be aware that they can occur. During consultation, Dr Lim will take you through the risks involved.

Some of the possible complications are:

  • Infection can develop in fatty tissue
  • Temporary or permanent numbness around operated sites
  • The injections used in suction assisted liposuction can cause complications such as lignocaine toxicity and collection of fluid in the lungs
  • Excessive fluid loss can lead to shock
  • Irregular skin surface, uneven contours or rippling
  • Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs and abdominal organs.

Dr Lim will monitor your progress carefully and our staff will stay in contact with you during the post-operative period. You will be seen at frequent intervals over the first twelve months.

Your relationship with Dr Lim and the nursing staff does not end once you have had the procedure. If you have any questions or concerns after your operation, you are always welcome to call My Klinik.

Liposuction Videos

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Liposuction

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About Dr Jake Lim

Highly qualified and experienced specialist plastic surgeon Dr Jake Lim focuses on facial plastic, cosmetic breast and body contouring after significant weight loss

Dr Lim creates the best possible plastic surgery results for his Australia-wide and international patients.

Dr Lim is passionate about making sure each and every patient has access to the right information about available treatments and procedures and is able to make well-informed decisions.

At My Klinik, patient safety, education and achieving optimal results are our top priorities.

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