While historically, the majority of patients undergoing liposuction have been women, these days it has become much more common for men to have the procedure than many people realise.

Whether it be to address love handles, sculpt the tummy area or address the chest, more men – including older men – are turning to professional liposuction in Sydney as it provides an easy and relatively safe way to further enhance their bodies.

For older patients, a medical examination can determine if the procedure is suitable. Contrary to misconception, a patient’s health is actually more of a determinant than age in terms of a patient’s suitability for the surgery. One should remember however that skin loses elasticity with age, which can affect the result.

It must be stressed that liposuction is not a weight-loss method. The only way to lose weight is by living a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet. Then, men who wish to address excess stubborn fat can look to liposuction as an option.

Importantly, liposuction is not for everyone. Some people may have excess abdominal skin as a result of weight loss. For these patients, a tummy tuck is the most suitable option.

The process of liposuction itself involves a surgeon making small incisions through which a cannula sucks the fat from the body. It can be performed under local or general anaesthetic and is ideal for removing smaller fat deposits from specific areas of the body.  There are pros and cons to both approaches, but if you are not someone who can tolerate surgery  whilst being awake, then general anaesthetic is the way to go.

Though usually performed as a day procedure and not as invasive as other forms of surgery, the procedure is still considered to be surgery and is therefore not without its risks, though they are far lower than more complex procedures.  The risks increase with the number of areas being targeted per procedure, so it’s wise not to do too much in one go and splitting up the operation may be a much safer approach, if there are multiple areas that need to be targeted.

Also like other surgeries, liposuction requires anaesthesia during the procedure and ample time for rest and recovery afterwards. You will be required to take time off and avoid strenuous physical activity post-procedure as you would for any surgery.

Your body will need time to heal properly so that the true result of the procedure can be seen. There is likely to be swelling, which can be reduced using a compression garment, usually for about two weeks following the procedure. Pain medication is usually necessary during the early stages of recovery and the treated areas can remain tender for a few months.

With a variety of clinics and practitioners offering the procedure, you should ensure that to minimise risks, you opt for a Specialist Surgeon with a FRACS accreditation and a reputable anaesthetist. You should talk to your surgeon about the desired result you’d like to achieve. Communication at all stages of the process is essential to getting the best result. Make sure you ask plenty of questions about the procedure, any potential discomfort and/or side-effects, after-procedure care and anything else you might want to know. Remember, the only ‘silly’ question is the one you do not ask!

If you would like to inquire about liposuction for men in Sydney, Bella Vista or Bowral, please contact us here.

About Dr Michael Yunaev

Dr Michael Yunaev is an Oncoplastic Breast, General and Cosmetic Surgeon and is the Principal Doctor at Breast & Body Clinic. Dr Yunaev is a highly trained Surgeon with extensive experience and passion for the treatment of all aspects of Breast Cancer Surgery, Benign and Congenital Breast Disease and Aesthetic Breast Surgery, as well as General Surgery.