Buttocks Liposuction

Liposuction is the most commonly performed plastic surgery in Australia. This technique is used to reshape the body by permanently removing localized fat deposits. Generally, the suctioning is performed on the lower back above the buttocks, the back of the thigh below the buttock fold or on the hip at the side of the buttock.

The tendency to accumulate fatty deposits on the buttocks may be hereditary, and these deposits are often resistant to diet and exercise.

The Consultation

During the consultation, the surgeon will outline the various options available to you, as well as the risks and limitations of each procedure.

Your surgeon will begin with a physical examination to evaluate your overall weight, your skin and muscle tone, and the fat deposits in various parts of your body. He will also record your complete medical history, including any medications that you are taking.

Be sure to ask all the questions you have about the procedure, and ask to see photos of the surgeon’s recent liposuction surgeries. Learning everything you can about your options, risks and benefits is the key to making an informed decision.

The Surgery

You or your surgeon may opt for general anesthesia, or you may prefer local anesthesia + a sedative for relaxation.

During the procedure, the surgeon makes a tiny incision in the skin, typically in or near the buttock crease, and inserts a thin tube called a cannula into the fatty area. The cannula is used to break up the fat deposits and sculpt the area to the desired proportions. The unwanted fat is suctioned out with a vacuum cannula.

In the super-wet technique, a saline solution containing local anaesthetic and adrenaline is injected into the area to be treated, making the fat deposits easier to break up and extract. This extra fluid also minimizes trauma to the surrounding tissue, reducing swelling and post-operative pain. The administration of adrenaline also decreases bleeding during surgery, further reducing risks.

The tumescent technique, in which even larger amounts of liquid solution are injected, has similar benefits.

A relatively new method, water jet soft liposuction, uses water jets to liquefy the fat and numb the area followed by fat suction. Like the super-wet and tumescent techniques, water jet technique minimizes trauma, bruising and blood loss. It is particularly useful for small and moderate amount of fat.

Your surgeon will choose the best technique for you. His choice will be determined by a combination of factors, including the precise area to be treated, the amount of fat to be removed and your preferences.

After the Procedure

For a day or two, you can expect to feel tired, as though your body has been through a workout – and it has! Your hips and legs will be stiff and store, and you may experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding or temporary numbness. You will be prescribed simple analgesic medication to relieve this initial discomfort.

Sometimes a small drainage tube is inserted under the skin to drain excess fluid. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection at the incision sites. Your stitches will be removed in a week to 10 days, unless they dissolve on their own.

You will be fitted with a tight compression garment to be worn for up to six weeks after your surgery. This specially designed garment will help reduce pain and swelling, and help your body settle into its new shape.

Getting You Back to Work and Normal Activities

Most of the bruising and swelling should subside within three weeks. You will be able to begin light activity as soon as possible and return to work within a few days if it is fairly sedentary. You should avoid strenuous activities for 4 weeks as your body heals. Within 4-6 weeks you should be able to resume all normal activities.

It’s important to continue wearing the compression garment for 4-6weeks. It can be easily hidden under clothing.