Liposuction (Suction-Assisted Lipectomy) in Sydney & Central Coast

Liposuction, also called suction-assisted lipectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes localised fat deposits to change body contour in carefully selected patients. Cosmetic surgery is invasive, involves cutting beneath the skin, and carries risks, so it should only be considered after a thorough medical assessment and discussion of alternative options.

At clinics in Edgecliff (Sydney) and Erina (Central Coast), Dr Mohammad Hassan Mohaghegh (Dr Mo) offers liposuction as a body contouring option for eligible adult patients who have realistic expectations and a stable, healthy weight. Advertising information is general and does not replace a personalised consultation with the medical practitioner who will perform, or may perform, your surgery.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is designed to address localised areas of excess fat that are difficult to shift with diet and exercise alone, such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, back, and under the chin. It is not a treatment for obesity, not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, and not a treatment for cellulite.

In the context of Australian regulations, liposuction is classified as cosmetic surgery when it is performed on normal bodily features with the primary aim of changing appearance rather than treating disease. This type of surgery is discretionary and may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with underlying psychological concerns or significant medical conditions.

How Liposuction Works

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure rather than a weight-loss operation. The procedure can only be recommended after a comprehensive consultation where your medical history, medications, body mass index, skin quality, and goals are reviewed.

Liposuction Step by Step

Assessment and planning: Before surgery, Dr Mohaghegh will assess your areas of concern, evaluate your skin elasticity and overall health, and discuss whether liposuction is an appropriate option or whether an alternative procedure may be more suitable.
Anaesthesia: Liposuction may be performed under general anaesthesia or, in selected cases, under local anaesthesia with sedation, depending on the areas treated and your overall health. The type of anaesthesia will be discussed with you in advance.
Incisions: Small incisions (often a few millimetres long) are made in carefully chosen locations, often in natural skin creases, to help make scars less noticeable. All incisions result in permanent scars, and scar appearance varies between individuals.
Tumescent fluid: A fluid containing local anaesthetic and medications such as adrenaline is injected into the fat layer. This helps reduce bleeding and bruising and supports patient safety as part of the overall anaesthetic and surgical plan.
Fat removal: A thin tube called a cannula is inserted through the incisions to loosen fat, which is then removed with suction. The aim is to create a smoother transition between treated and untreated areas, but perfect symmetry and smoothness can never be guaranteed.
Closing incisions: Small sutures are usually used to close the incisions. Dressings and compression garments are then applied according to your post-operative plan.

During your consultation, the potential benefits, limitations, alternatives and specific risks of liposuction will be discussed so you can make an informed decision. Patients should not rely on advertising alone when deciding whether to undergo surgery.

Common Liposuction Areas Treated in Sydney

Liposuction can be used on many regions of the body, depending on your anatomy and goals. Each area has its own risks and limitations, which will be individually assessed.

Abdomen and waist
Flanks (“love handles”)
Outer and inner thighs
Upper arms
Back and flanks
Submental area (under the chin)

Not all patients will be suitable for liposuction in every area; your surgeon will advise if another procedure, or no surgery, is more appropriate.

Liposuction Combined with Other Procedures

Liposuction primarily removes fat. It relies on your skin’s elasticity to retract and conform to the new contour. If there is significant loose or excess skin, your surgeon may recommend combining liposuction with an excisional procedure to address both fat and skin.

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to remove excess abdominal skin and, where indicated, repair weakened or separated abdominal muscles. This is major surgery with distinct risks, scarring, and recovery considerations.
Combination breast surgery with abdominoplasty may be discussed for selected patients, taking into account overall operative time, risks, and whether combining procedures is appropriate in your case.
Fat grafting (fat transfer) using fat harvested by liposuction to add volume to areas such as the breasts or buttocks, noting that fat survival is variable, multiple procedures may be needed, and risks and limitations must be clearly understood.

Cosmetic surgery advertising must not promote bundled “packages” or suggest that multiple procedures are routinely required; decisions about combined surgery must always be individualised and based on patient safety.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction is not suitable for everyone. Suitability can only be confirmed after a detailed consultation and clinical examination with the surgeon who will perform the procedure.

You may be considered a potential candidate if:

You are an adult with stable body weight and localised areas of excess fat that have not responded to a healthy lifestyle.
You have relatively good skin elasticity in the treatment area.
You are in good general health, with no uncontrolled medical conditions that would significantly increase surgical or anaesthetic risk.
You understand that liposuction is not a weight-loss treatment and that results and recovery vary between individuals.
You have realistic expectations focused on improvement rather than perfection.

Patients requesting cosmetic surgery must also be assessed for underlying psychological conditions, such as body dysmorphic disorder, using validated screening tools, and may be referred for independent psychological or general practitioner assessment if concerns arise.

Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or cellulite, and it should not be considered the only solution for dissatisfaction with body image; non-surgical options or no treatment may be more appropriate for some individuals.

Liposuction Recovery in Sydney & Central Coast

Recovery after liposuction varies according to the number of areas treated, the volume of fat removed, your general health, and your individual healing response. Advertising should not suggest that recovery is universally quick, simple, or painless, as this may mislead patients.

Typical Post-Operative Care

Compression garments: You will usually be advised to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help reduce swelling and support the treated areas. The exact type of garment and duration of use will be tailored to you.
Swelling and bruising: Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are expected in the early post-operative period. These should gradually improve over weeks, but timelines differ from person to person.
Activity and return to work: Light walking is generally encouraged soon after surgery to help circulation, but strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and high-impact exercise are usually restricted for several weeks. Time off work will vary depending on the physical demands of your job and the extent of the procedure.
Final results: Some change in contour may be visible early; however, it can take several months or longer for swelling to settle and for the final result to become apparent. Individual results and timelines vary and cannot be guaranteed.

You will be given personalised instructions, including how to care for your incisions, when you can shower, and which symptoms should prompt urgent review, such as fever, worsening pain, sudden swelling, or shortness of breath. Follow-up appointments are arranged to monitor your recovery.

Liposuction Risks and Complications

All cosmetic surgery, including liposuction, carries risks and potential complications, even when performed by a recognised specialist plastic surgeon in an accredited hospital. It is important that patients understand these risks before deciding whether to proceed.

Infection, bleeding, or haematoma (collection of blood under the skin).
Adverse reactions to anaesthetic drugs or other medications.
Asymmetry, contour irregularities, or dimpling of the skin.
Changes in skin sensation (numbness or increased sensitivity), which may be temporary or, rarely, long term.
Seroma (fluid collection), delayed wound healing, scarring, or changes in skin colour.
Fat embolism, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or damage to deeper structures (which are serious but less common risks).
Need for revisional surgery in some cases.

During consultation, Dr Mohaghegh will provide further detail on risks that apply to your specific situation, the measures used to support safety, and what to expect during recovery. Cosmetic surgery advertising must not downplay risks or state or imply that a procedure is “simple”, “quick” or “risk-free”.

About Dr Mohammad Hassan Mohaghegh

Dr Mohammad Hassan Mohaghegh (MED0001627149) is a registered medical practitioner with specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). Current guidelines require cosmetic surgery advertising to clearly state the practitioner’s registration type, recognised specialty, and registration number.

Dr Mohaghegh has more than 20 years of surgical experience and holds a Master of Philosophy in Surgery from the University of Sydney. His practice focuses on providing individualised care, explaining realistic outcomes and risks, and supporting patients to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with surgery.

Liposuction FAQs

Is liposuction a weight-loss procedure?

No. Liposuction is not a weight-loss treatment and is not appropriate for managing obesity. It is aimed at contouring localised fat deposits in patients who are already close to a healthy, stable weight.

Are liposuction results permanent?

Removed fat cells do not return; however, remaining fat cells can still enlarge if overall weight increases. Long-term results depend on factors such as diet, exercise, and weight stability, and no specific result can be guaranteed.

How do I know if liposuction is right for me?

The only way to determine whether liposuction is appropriate is through a consultation with a suitably qualified medical practitioner who will take your medical history, examine you, and discuss your goals, alternatives, and the potential risks and benefits in your situation.

What is the consultation and cooling-off process?

Patients seeking cosmetic surgery in Australia must have at least two pre-operative consultations (one in person with the medical practitioner who will perform the surgery), undergo psychological screening, and observe a minimum seven-day cooling-off period after giving informed consent before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid.

Patient Resources and Images

Before-and-after images of liposuction, where provided, must be genuine images of patients treated by the practitioner and must be accompanied by clear statements that they show individual results only. Outcomes vary between patients due to factors such as anatomy, healing, and lifestyle.

Any gallery or images you view are intended for information and education only and are not a guarantee of what you will experience. Your surgeon will discuss likely outcomes and limitations during your consultation based on your own circumstances.

Book a Liposuction Consultation in Sydney or Central Coast

If you are considering liposuction, the next step is to arrange a face-to-face consultation with Dr Mohaghegh to discuss your concerns, medical history, and goals, and to explore whether liposuction or another option is appropriate for you. During this appointment you will receive detailed information about the procedure, risks, recovery, and costs before deciding whether to proceed.

Clinic locations: Edgecliff (Sydney) and Erina (Central Coast), New South Wales.

Phone: 1300 074 466
Email: hello@drmohaghegh.com.au
Request a consultation via our contact form

Important Information

The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute personalised medical advice. It should not be relied upon as the sole basis for deciding whether to undergo liposuction or any other cosmetic surgery.

All surgery and invasive procedures carry risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a consultation with a suitably qualified and registered medical practitioner, consider obtaining an independent opinion if you wish, and carefully weigh the potential risks, benefits, costs, and alternatives, including the option of not having surgery.