OVER

2007

Liposuction

Lots of people want to look better. 

Some have an operation to change 

their face or body. That’s called 

cosmetic surgery.

Some people want to get rid of 

fat to look better. They can have 

a special surgery for that. Fat is 

sucked from the body in a process 

called liposuction. Lipo means fat. 

Lipo is also the short term for the 

process.

Lipo is one of the most wanted 

cosmetic surgeries. It’s done all 

over the world. People get a leaner 

shape by losing inches, not pounds. 

Lipo is not for treating weight loss.

How is lipo done?

A doctor makes small cuts in your 

skin and then puts tubes into 

the cuts. The tubes connect to a 

machine that sucks out fat from 

under your skin. You can be awake 

or asleep while this is going on.

What happens after it’s over?

You are likely to be up and around 

quickly if you were awake during 

the surgery. If you were asleep, 

getting back to normal might take a 

few days. 

You wear a girdle or “waist nipper” 

for a while after lipo. That helps 

your skin get tight again.

Where on my body can I have lipo 

done?

Common areas for lipo are:

• Neck • Stomach

• Back • Face

• Love handles • Hips

• Breasts • Calves

• Thighs • Upper arms

• Buttocks • Knees

You can have more than one area 

treated on the same day.

Does the fat come back?

If you eat a healthy diet and 

exercise, it might not. If you eat 

more or exercise less than you 

should, your fat cells will get large 

again. You may gain fat in areas of 

the body where you did not have it 

before.

Who should not have lipo done?

Lipo is not right for you if:

• You are not a risk taker (See 

“What’s the downside of lipo?”).

• Cost is an issue. Your health plan 

is not likely to cover lipo.

• You are too heavy and are trying 

to lose weight.

• You have a disease that would 

affect healing.

• You take a medicine that would 

affect healing.
FDA Office of Women’s Health http://www.fda.gov/womens

TAKE TIME TO CARE... For yourself, for those who need you.

What else could I do about my 

body?

• Change your diet.

• Exercise.

• Be happy with your body as it is.

• Use clothes or makeup to cover 

up problem areas.

What’s the downside of lipo?

Health risks. These come with any 

surgery. These risks are infection, 

swelling, and blood clots.

More surgery. Your shape might not 

look even after lipo. The skin may 

be uneven. You might need more 

surgery to make it look right.

You pay. Most health plans do not 

cover lipo. They only cover cosmetic 

surgery that’s needed for a medical 

problem.

What should I do if I want to have 

lipo?

• Ask your regular doctor to refer 

you to a cosmetic surgeon. Or 

check with the American Society 

for Dermatologic Surgery for 

some names. Be sure to ask for 

doctors who are board certified in 

your state. This means that they 

have passed certain tests.

• Talk to at least two doctors.

Find out these things:

• How many times does the doctor 

do lipo in a year?

• How long has the doctor been 

doing lipo?

• What kinds of problems has the 

doctor had in doing lipo?

• Ask to see before-and-after 

photos.

• Do not let a doctor pressure you.

• Talk with people who have had 

lipo.

• Make sure that you know all of the 

risks and benefits.

• Find out exactly how much lipo 

will cost.

• See if you can avoid being put 

to sleep during lipo. You will get 

better faster if you stay awake.

Report problems to the FDA

You should report any problems you 

have with lipo. Contact the FDA’s 

MedWatch Program (http://www.

fda.gov/medwatch).

To Learn More:

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

http://www.fda.gov

Consumer article on liposuction

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/600_flab.html

Liposuction