Cheap Liposuction can often prove costly

Liposuction is an increasingly popular and commonly carried out form of medical procedure in the UK and other parts of the world but rising demand has been followed by a growing army of under-qualified practitioners.

The prospect of making a fast buck is the obvious temptation but the consequences for individuals hoping they’ve secured a bargain can sometimes be horrendous, or at least horrendously expensive.

Liposuction can be a perfectly appropriate way for a person to get closer to the kind of body shape they consider more desirable but as an invasive procedure it carries risks and should only be carried out by experts with the right background and the right credentials.

Some less than scrupulous surgeons are happy to take the money without asking the right questions and this can often lead to serious patient dissatisfaction or the need for subsequent procedures to repair tissue damaged by non-specialist workmanship. Indeed, in some rare cases the consequences can be much more serious and even life threatening.

At the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), we have made our position on the issue perfectly clear, not just in the context of liposuction but in all areas of the industry.

My colleague, Rajiv Grover, a consultant plastic surgeon and president elect of the Association, is recently quoted as saying “The single most important factor in determining the outcome of surgery is the choice of surgeon” and I couldn’t agree more.

“Sadly, it is becoming increasingly apparent that in the United Kingdom the average patient spends longer choosing their bathroom tiles than choosing their surgeon.” Sad but true.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure and, as such, requires training, skill and experience to obtain satisfactory and safe results. Given the bewildering array of technologies available today (ultrasound, laser, radiofrequency etc), the important decision for a liposuction patient is not so much which device or technique is being used, but more who is on the other end of the sucker!

The message from us, the genuine cosmetic surgery specialists and leaders in the industry, is that cutting prices means cutting corners, and anyone considering liposuction needs to keep this notion firmly in mind.