Liposuction
Why Mr Potter
16 years performing liposuction
0% unplanned return to theatre
0% revision rate
0% cases needing further liposuction to previously treated area
Average post-operative stay: 1 night
PHIN patient satisfaction score: 99%
PHIN is an independent government audit of consultant patient outcomes, randomly sampling post-operative patients. A 99% satisfaction score places Mr Potter among the highest-rated plastic surgeons in the country.
How Liposuction Works
Liposuction involves making very small incisions — placed within skin folds where possible to minimise visibility — and inserting a thin cannula attached to suction. The cannula is moved back and forth in multiple directions within the treated area, removing fat while feathering the edges to reduce the risk of contour irregularities.
The procedure
The effects of liposuction are both immediate and progressive. The initial result reflects the direct removal of fat. Over the following six months, the treated area continues to change as scar tissue forms, causing the skin to contract and further define the body contour. Full results should be assessed at six months.
Results — immediate and delayed
Patient Imagery
Your Recovery
Recovery Timeline
Days 1 – Absorbent pads removed; shower all areas daily from this point
Days 1–3 – Operative sites tender; oral pain relief as needed for 2–3 days
Days 3–7 – Bruising develops and begins to settle
7 days – Wound review at original hospital; tapes removed
2 weeks – Compression garments worn if required — day and night
3 weeks – Review with Mr Potter
6 weeks – Strenuous exercise avoided until this point
6 months – Full results assessable
Do's & Don'ts
- Shower all areas daily from day one; wash wound tapes thoroughly and allow to air dry
- Wear compression garments day and night for 2 weeks if required
- Mobilise and walk from day one
- Take oral pain relief for the first two to three days as needed
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
- Avoid lifting heavy weights for 6 weeks
- Do not drive until you can safely perform an emergency manoeuvre
- Return to normal activities at 8 weeks
The Procedure
- Swelling and bruising — expected; bruising settles within a week; skin pigmentation changes from bruising may persist for a few months
- Tenderness — operative sites tender for at least three days
- Changes in skin sensation — the treated area will be relatively numb immediately after surgery; sensation typically recovers but may take months to fully return
- Scarring — very small incisions placed within skin folds where possible; abnormal scarring is rare
- Infection or wound breakdown — rare; antibiotics are given at the start of the procedure to minimise this risk
- Bleeding / haematoma — very rare
- Contour irregularities — liposuction is performed in multiple directions to minimise this risk; where irregularities occur after full settling they can be addressed with further fat removal or fat transfer
- Over / under correction — results need time to settle; Mr Potter will assess at follow-up and discuss options if areas appear over or underdone after full settling
- Skin colour changes / hyperpigmentation — bruising-related pigmentation that should resolve after a few months
- Injury to internal structures — exceptionally rare but serious; most applicable when harvesting fat from the abdomen; would require surgical repair if it occurred
- DVT / pulmonary embolus — specialist stockings and blood-thinning injections are provided during your stay
- Further procedures — where any adjustments are needed, Mr Potter and his hospital teams are happy to facilitate further surgery
What Patients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Is liposuction a weight loss procedure?
No. Liposuction removes localised fat deposits from specific areas — it is not a substitute for weight management. It produces the best results in patients who are at or near a stable weight and want to address stubborn fat deposits that have not responded to diet and exercise.
Which areas can liposuction treat?
The most commonly treated areas are the abdomen, flanks and thighs. Mr Potter will assess whether the areas you are concerned about are suitable for liposuction during consultation.
When will I see the full result?
The initial result is visible immediately after surgery. The full result — including the progressive skin contraction from scar tissue formation — takes up to six months to develop. Mr Potter will review you at intervals and assess the final result at six months.
Will there be visible scarring?
Scarring is minimal. Incisions are very small and placed within skin folds where possible. Abnormal scarring is rare.
Can liposuction be combined with other procedures?
Yes — liposuction is frequently performed alongside abdominoplasty and arm lift surgery. Mr Potter will advise whether a combined approach is appropriate for you.
How long is the recovery?
Most patients are discharged the day after surgery and return to office-based work within two weeks. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for six weeks. Full results are assessable at six months.
Where does Mr Potter perform liposuction?
At the Manor Hospital in Oxford, Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon, Stratum Clinic in Wootton Oxfordshire, ProDerm in Cheltenham, and Interface Business Park in Royal Wootton Bassett.
Book a Consultation
Contact us if you have any health concerns or are looking to get a consultation. You can contact Matthew Potter by using the form below or contact him through one of the available telephone numbers or email addresses listed on this page.
Private Secretary & All Correspondence
T. 07917 965717
Swindon - Ridgeway Hospital
T. 01793 814848
Cheltenham - ProDerm, Festival House
T. 0800 0489230
Oxfordshire - Stratum Clinic,
Wootton Business Park
T. 01865 320790
Wiltshire - Interface Business Park, Royal Wootton Bassett
T: 0808 2803560
Oxford - The Manor Hospital
T. 01865 307777
Contact Lissie on 07917 965717 or use the form below.