Minor Liposuction

Most of us think of liposuction as a way to reshape hips, turns and thighs, but minor operations to touch up smaller areas - such as the chin - account for one in three of the lipo procedures carried out each year.

What is it?

A way of removing fatty tissue from small, precise areas of the body such as the chin, knees, ankles and triceps.

What can it do for you?

This procedure will really fine-tune your body. Like major liposuction, it's not meant to be used as a way of losing weight, but to tighten up areas that diet and exercise can't fix.

Minor lipo is also used to enhance other procedures, including facelifts and eye surgery.

The procedure

It's very similar to major liposuction: the surgeon makes a tiny incision in the skin and then inserts an implement called a cannula, which is used to break up the fat. This is then sucked out with a vacuum pump or, if a small area is being treated, the surgeon might just use a syringe.

Obviously, the total amount of fat removed is much less than with major liposuction (where up to 3 ltr can be removed in one go), but the proportion of fat taken from an area can be higher.

You can remove up to 80 per cent from an area instead of the 50 per cent taken from larger areas.

You're also less likely to be given a general anaesthetic with minor liposuction-some procedures are carried out with just a local anaesthetic or a 'twilight anaesthetic' where you're sleepy but not unconscious.

Cost

Minor liposuction starts at around £3,600.

Recovery time

Because smaller areas are being treated, recovery from minor liposuction isn't as painful as with major lipo. But you'll still be bruised for a week or two and suffer from aches and pains for two to three days.

You'll still have to wear the pressure garment for seven to 10 days afterwards.

This is important because it can determine how long your recovery takes. But it's a lot easier to hide a pressure garment that's around your knees under your clothes than the one used for removing fat from under the chin, which wraps around your head.

What can go wrong?

Serious health risks are ess likely with minor lipo, especially if no general anaesthetic is used, but lumpy or irregular results may still cause problems.

This is a particular problem with bilateral sites such as the knees because symmetry is always an issue with liposuction.

A reputable surgeon should offer a second operation free of charge if you're not happy.

How long will it last?

Just as in major lipo, the fat cells are gone for good, but you'll still need to be careful of weight gain or you could end up with slim knees, but fat calves and thighs.

Experts

• consultant plastic surgeons with experience in liposuction. Adrian Richards' group AR & Associates has six clinics in the south of England.

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