MicroLipo in London
MicroLipo is a highly effective liposuction & body contouring treatment that contours and sculpts the body through the removal of localised fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. MicroLipo differs from traditional liposuction in that the surgeon uses much smaller cannulas, often as small as 2mm in diameter, to remove fat volumes of up to 3.5L in a single session. MicroLipo is comfortably performed under local anaesthesia as an outpatient treatment by our specialist plastic surgeons. By avoiding general anaesthesia and a prolonged recovery, the procedure is more affordable compared with traditional surgical liposuction. Our surgeons very commonly combine MicroLipo with skin tightening treatments, including both BodyTite and Morpheus8, for those with mild to moderate skin laxity.
RELATED: Liposuction FAQs – Q&As about Liposuction Surgery
MicroLipo can be used on the following body areas:
- Abdomen
- Flanks
- Arms
- Inner thighs
- Knees
- Male chest
- Neck or submental area
Always check that your surgeon is on the GMC specialist register for plastic surgery before proceeding with a consultation. All our surgeons are fully accredited plastic surgeons and only perform procedures in CQC-regulated facilities.
RealSelf Top Doctors for MicroLipo
RealSelf’s top doctor status is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf doctor community. This status is earned by achieving consistently high patient satisfaction (from RealSelf reviews), getting excellent feedback on expert answers to patient questions, and investing significant time in Q&A and other doctor activities. RealSelf’s top doctors are rated among the very best surgeons in the United Kingdom.
What is MicroLipo?
Liposuction has undergone a series of evolutionary changes since it was introduced in the eighties. With the traditional method of liposuction, the plastic surgeon made an incision and passes a metal tube with openings near the tip into the area of excess fat. The tube is connected to a suction pump, so that as the surgeon passes it back and forth, fat is removed. This was known to be a particularly traumatic method with significant bruising and swelling and also increased recovery time.
A significant advance was made with the invention of tumescent local anaesthesia or TLA. TLA facilitated the liposuction procedure to be performed under local anaesthetic. This makes the liposuction more efficient and less traumatic. This introduction of fluid is known as the tumescent technique and is the foundation for all types of modern liposuction – Laser, Ultrasound and MicroLipo.
MicroLipo is the most recent cutting edge innovation in the field of liposuction. Like all other forms of liposuction, the surgeon firstly injects the area with tumescent local anaesthesia solution. This is a dilute solution of local anaesthetic and adrenaline. The surgeon then inserts a miniaturised microcannula into the treatment area. Application of the vibration energy serves to emulsify fat tissue. The surgeon then finally removes the emulsified fat with a specially designed vibrating cannula.
MicroLipo is a less invasive method of liposuction which can remove excess pockets of fat from various areas of the body. The method received the name MicroLipo as a result of the cannulas which are used throughout the liposuction. The extraction cannulas are specially designed and are no more than 3mm in diameter.
This gentler method of liposuction is particularly useful for removing excess fat from areas including:
- Knees
- Inner thighs
- Chin
- Bingo wings
- Abdomen
- Flanks
- Female breast reduction
- Male breast reduction
After having the fat removed from these areas, there is the option to transfer it to other areas of the body. These methods are known as fat transfer to the breasts, buttocks or calves. However, doing this may require a general anaesthetic to be administered for optimal comfort.
Benefits of Micro liposuction
MicroLipo is a specialist minimally invasive technique with the main advantage of being performed as an awake procedure and with minimal downtime. For smaller, more localised areas and in appropriately selected patients, MicroLipo can be an excellent option with superior results to non-surgical methods of fat removal.
The term MicroLipo refers to the fact that the size of the fat extraction cannulas is much smaller compared with cannulas used during traditional Lipo surgery. Micro cannulas often measure no more than 3 mm in diameter with 1.5 to 2 mm being the average. This contrasts with cannulas used during traditional liposuction where the average cannula size measures between 4mm and 5mm.
MicroLipo works great for small well-defined areas including the chin or submental region, the jawline, the inner arms and inner thighs.
The above 4 cases were performed with an advanced form of local anaesthesia known as the ‘tumescent technique’. Patients were ready for discharge 30 minutes after their procedure and were back to work the next day with minimal disruption to their activities of daily living.
Ideal candidates for MicroLipo
You will be able to have MicroLipo if you:
- Are 18 years or older
- Have stubborn areas of fat which you have not been able to lose with healthy eating and exercise
- Are physically and mentally healthy
- Have reasonable expectations about what the procedure can achieve
You will have to be a non-smoker, or be able to stop smoking at least two weeks prior to surgery and throughout the recovery period.
There is no upper age limit to this procedure.
Surgical techniques used for MicroLipo
The treatment usually takes between one to two hours, depending on how much fat there was and the area of the body which was being treated. MicroLipo is performed as a day case procedure, so you will be able to leave and return home once the treatment has finished and you are fully recovered.
MicroLipo is ideally suited to being performed under a local anaesthetic. The main reason is related to the design of the microcannula. In MicroLipo, the microcannula tip is designed in such as way to facilitate a gentle fat extraction and can therefore help to minimise postoperative bruising. In other methods such as Vaser lipo, the whole cannula gets very hot and can make for a very uncomfortable procedure.
The precision design of the microcannulas used in MicroLipo coupled with gentle technique facilitates the extraction of fat and simultaneous skin tightening. Performing Vaser lipo under local anaesthetic is not well suited to treatment with a local anaesthetic. The generation of thermal energy coupled with the cannula catching on internal connective tissue fibres and nerve fibres can result in discomfort after a short while. MicroLipo is different – with accurate pre-tunnelling of the fat before fat extraction leads to a very gentle procedure with a much quicker recovery period. MicroLipo can be combined with BodyTite and Morpheus8 for a highly effective skin tightening treatment without the need for more invasive surgery such as a tummy tuck.
Before undergoing the procedure, the surgeon will take photographs of you at various angles followed by making preoperative markings on your skin in a standing position. MicroLipo involves injecting the target area with a diluted local anaesthetic solution. This makes the area swollen and firm. This also makes the area numb and avoids having to use a general anaesthetic. Once the area has a firm consistency with the local anaesthetic injection, the anaesthetic is left to work for about 30-40 minutes to allow the local anaesthetic to take full effect. The surgeon is then able to make tiny incisions to insert the cannulas for MicroLipo.
The surgeon will then make a very small incision in the area where the MicroLipo will be performed. The microcannula will then be inserted through the incision and into the top layer of skin. The microcannula will then be moved around at different angles. You may feel a gentle pushing and pulling sensation but any discomfort should be minimal if any. The fat cells are precisely mobilised with the microcannula prior to vacuum extraction. Depending on the amount of fat deposit, the fat will either be suctioned out or it will be naturally metabolised by the body. During the procedure, you may be asked to change position a number of times to allow the surgeon to address the treatment areas from a number of different angles. This helps the surgeon to contour the treatment areas more effectively. At the end of the procedure, any excess local anaesthetic fluid will be manually drained from the incision sites followed by the application of a sterile dressing. A well fitting compression garment will then be applied.
Recovery after MicroLipo
The recovery time is a lot quicker for MicroLipo than experienced with traditional liposuction.
You may experience minimal bruising and swelling.
You will be given a compression garment which will help to keep the area in shape. If MicroLipo was done on multiple areas you may have to wear multiple compression garments.
You may have to take up to two days off work to recover. Some people may find they need to take a longer period of time off work.
You will have to avoid any strenuous physical exercise for at least seven days. However, you are advised to continue walking and undertake light exercises during this period.
FAQs
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What is MicroLipo?MicroLipo is a form of liposuction which does not involve the use of any general anaesthetic. It uses small cannulas to remove stubborn areas of fat from the body.
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What happens if I gain weight after having MicroLipo?The MicroLipo procedure is designed to remove fat cells and these fat cells do not grow back after removal and therefore the results are permanent. Patients who do not maintain a stable weight will be susceptible to changes in their results. Significant weight gain will lead to re-accumulation of fat in the area where MicroLipo was performed.
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Where can I have MicroLipo?There are numerous areas of the body where you can have MicroLipo, including:
Knees
Inner thighs
Chin
Bingo wings
Abdomen
Flanks
Female breast reduction
Male breast reduction -
Can I have MicroLipo?If you have been unable to lose certain areas of fat through traditional methods such as a healthy diet and exercise, you may wish to consider undergoing MicroLipo.
You will need to be at least 18 years old and be in good physical and mental health.
You will need to have reasonable expectations about what the procedure can achieve. -
How much does MicroLipo cost?The cost of MicroLipo treatment is based on a number of factors including the areas of the body which are to be treated and the estimated amount of time for the procedure to be completed. Areas like the abdomen will take more time to complete to achieve excellent results compared with smaller areas such as the submental region. MicroLipo starts at £3000 for smaller areas and will increase depending on the treatment areas.
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How much fat can MicroLipo remove?Microlipo can remove up to 3.5 litres.
If you require more fat to be removed or are wanting liposuction from numerous areas of the body, you may require multiple procedures. -
Can I have MicroLipo on multiple areas of the body?It is possible to treat multiple areas of the body in one session.
However, if there is a large amount of fat which is required to be removed, you may need to book more than one session. -
Will I need to wear a compression garment after MicroLipo?After surgery, you will be required to wear a compression garment on the area where you had MicroLipo. This will help to prevent fluid build-up and keep the area in the best shape possible.
Your surgeon will be able to advise you on what type of compression garment you will need to purchase, as well as how long you will be required to wear it for. -
How long will I need to take off work?You may be able to return to work within as little as two days. However, some people may feel the need to take more time off work.
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When can I start exercising again?You will be encouraged to walk around and undertake light exercise one day after your procedure. You will have to avoid any vigorous physical exercise for at least seven days.
What To Expect
The consultation for MicroLipo
The first step is to book a consultation with one of our expert MicroLipo surgeons. When you have a consultation with an expert surgeon for MicroLipo, a number of measurements are taken of the body areas where fat is to be removed and an assessment will be made of the soft tissue quality. Those who have good skin elasticity will be a good candidate for MicroLipo. Your surgeon is skilled in all types of liposuction including power assisted liposuction and the most appropriate choice will be made based on your physical examination. The surgeon will also give information on the location of the small incisions for the MicroLipo cannulas and also whether Microlipo is to be combined with another procedure such as a BodyTite if there is mild to moderate skin laxity.
High-resolution photos will be taken and your surgeon may also use computer digital imaging to map the treatment areas. Your surgeon will take time to discuss the important risks and potential complications of MicroLipo and what you can expect in the postoperative period. MicroLipo is a procedure with a favourable risk profile as long as patients follow all the pre and post procedure instructions given to them by their surgeon.
The surgeon will also take a full medical history which includes previous operations, current list of medicines taken and any potential allergies. This information will be used to decide on your fitness for the MicroLipo treatment. If you are deemed to be a suitable candidate for MicroLipo then we would recommend to spend a period of time to reflect on all the information given. We always recommend a minimum of a '2 week cool off period' to weigh up your options before making an informed decision on whether to proceed or not.
All our prospective MicroLipo patients are more than welcome to return for a follow-up consultation after their initial consultation to make sure you are fully empowered with all the information to make an informed decision for proceeding with MicroLipo at Centre for Surgery in London.
Before your procedure
Once you have decided that MicroLipo is right for you, our preoperative assessment team will be in contact to prepare you for surgery.
The following are recommended actions to take:
- For 6 weeks beforehand, it is highly recommended to stop smoking as active smoking is associated with a number of risks including delayed wound healing which could result in wound infection.
- You should also avoid aspirin and all medicines containing aspirin for at least one week prior to the MicroLipo procedure As these medicines interfere with the bodies natural blood clotting processes.
- For 6 hours before the liposuction procedure, you should refrain from eating any food or any type of drink apart from sips of clear fluid (water and tea/coffee without added milk) which is allowed for up to 2 hours before the procedure. Although you will not be having deep sedation or anaesthesia before MicroLipo, It is still recommended to avoid having a full stomach before the procedure. Please check with your surgeon if it is okay to have your normal cup of coffee or a sugary drink before having the procedure. In many cases this can actually be beneficial and make you more relaxed on the morning of your procedure.
On the day of your procedure
Please aim to arrive for your MicroLipo procedure at the confirmed time. One of our nursing team will admit you for the procedure and will carry out a number of tasks including checking your blood pressure and other vital signs including pulse and temperature and then getting you changed into single-use clinic wear. You will then be seen by your surgeon who will confirm the procedure to undertaken and you will sign the informed consent form. Skin marking and photos may be taken at this point. You’ll be given the option to have a mild tablet oral sedative to make you feel more relaxed and drowsy before the procedure.
Liposuction under local anaesthetic is a very commonly performed procedure at Centre for Surgery and is carried out as an outpatient day case. The procedure takes approximately 1-3 hours to carry out. During MicroLipo surgery, your surgeon will make small incisions in the marked body areas The fat tissue is surgically removed using the MicroAire device and specialised microcannulas to contour the marked body areas before closing the skin with dissolvable sutures. A compression garment is applied after procedure.
After the procedure, our nurses will closely monitor you for 1-3 hours afterwards to make sure you make a full recovery. You will be given a fruit juice drink or a hot drink as you prefer to build up your energy levels. Once you are assessed as fit for discharge, you will require a responsible adult escort to take you home in a car or taxi and to look after you for at least the first 24 hours after surgery.
After your procedure
After your procedure, our dedicated postoperative support team are available round the clock to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Our team will call you regularly for the first 2 weeks after your procedure to make sure your pain levels are well controlled and your healing is progressing as normal.
The recovery after MicroLipo is usually very straightforward with minimal discomfort that can be effectively controlled with tablet painkillers and the majority of our patients are very comfortable by the end of week 1. Your doctor may recommend a period of approximately of a few days off work. You should minimise any excessive physical activity for the first 2 weeks after surgery to help with the healing of the incisions and reduce swelling.
You will be required to wear a supportive compression garment for a full 6 weeks to make sure healing is optimal, and also so that scars heal with best results.
You will attend for a postoperative check up with one of our nursing team at 7-10 days to review your surgical wound sites and ensure proper healing is taking place. Recommendations on treatments for scar healing may be given for optimal cosmesis. At 6 weeks you should begin to see your final results and you will see your surgeon for a comprehensive review and make sure your results are in line with your expectations.