Dr Norris performs liposuction only in fully accredited facilities. This is for your safety and to ensure optimum quality of care throughout the operation and the immediate postoperative period. Small areas of liposuction can be done with a combination of local anaesthesia and sedation administered by the anaesthetist, Dr Ross Foreman. For larger areas a general anaesthetic is recommended. You can expect the operation to take anywhere between 30 minutes and 3 hours depending on the number of areas being operated on.

The incisions, and the subsequent scars, are no more than 1cm in length and hidden in skin folds. Dr Norris uses a tumescent or wet technique which essentially means infiltrating the area with saline (salt water), local anaesthetic, and an agent to minimize bleeding and bruising immediately before performing the liposuction. The liposuction cannulae (blunt-tipped instruments) are used to remove the unwanted fat deposits without disturbing the important fine connections between the skin and the deep muscles.

At the end of the operation the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures to save you the inconvenience of having them removed. Dressings are applied over the incisions and foam over the areas liposuctioned. You will leave the operating theatre wearing a comfortable and supportive compression garment tailored to the area that has been operated on.

Liposuction is often done as a Day-Only procedure, but for larger areas you may wish to stay overnight in hospital. If you are having liposuction combined with another surgical procedure then you will most likely be staying overnight.

When you go home you will require a friend, family member or partner to drive you as you won’t be able to drive yourself for the first few days. You will leave with written instructions, a prescription for pain relief, and a follow-up appointment with Dr Norris for one week.

You will need to wear the compression garment day and night for 4-6 weeks after the operation. The garment has an important role in minimizing bruising, swelling, and fluid collection beneath the skin. It also helps the skin to retract back to the new contours of your body.

At home you should be comfortable enough to go for short walks 1-2 days following the surgery. More vigorous and strenuous exercise and activities are usually possible at 3 weeks.
If your work is not particularly strenuous then you may wish to return after a few days.

At one week after leaving the hospital you will have a follow-up appointment with Dr Norris in the consulting rooms. This is to check on how you are feeling, make sure the wounds are healing without problem, and reassure you that your postoperative course is going to plan. An appointment will also be made for you to attend our physiotherapist to start massage – this can result that is more smooth and even.

If at any time before this first follow-up appointment, or at any time after this you note a problem or have any concerns at all please contact Dr Norris immediately.