Liposuction before and after photos

Before and after photographs are one of the ways to understand what liposuction can achieve. They are also one of the easiest things to misread, so it is worth understanding what they do and do not tell you before you draw conclusions from them.

Me Clinic's photographs are shown and discussed during consultation, where your surgeon can select cases relevant to your anatomy and explain what is comparable to your situation and what is not.

The standards these photos must meet

Before and after images used by registered health practitioners in Australia are governed by the Medical Board of Australia's Guidelines for advertising regulated health services.

Images must be genuine - real patients, real results.
Photographs on this website have been retouched only to protect patient privacy, never to enhance or alter the results of the surgery.
Images must carry a clear and prominent disclaimer that results may vary between individuals.
Patients must consent to the use of their images.

Results may vary between individuals. A photograph shows one person's outcome, not a prediction of yours.

How to read a before and after photo

When comparing images, look for:

Consistent conditions. The same lighting, camera angle, distance and pose in both images. Differences in any of these can create an apparent change that has nothing to do with surgery.
How much time has passed. Liposuction swelling takes months to fully resolve. A photo taken at six weeks shows something different to one taken at twelve months.
The starting point. The most relevant comparison is a patient whose anatomy, skin quality and body type resemble yours - not the most dramatic case in the gallery.
What else was done. Where liposuction was combined with another procedure, the visible change is not attributable to liposuction alone.

Why your result will differ

Outcomes vary depending on individual anatomy, skin quality and elasticity, the area treated, the volume of fat removed, and how your body heals.

Two factors matter more than most people expect:

Skin elasticity. Liposuction removes fat, not skin. Where skin does not retract well, the contour after fat removal differs considerably from a patient whose skin does retract.
Weight stability. The fat cells removed do not return, but the fat cells that remain can enlarge if weight is gained. Photographs taken of patients who maintained a stable weight are not representative of an outcome where weight changes afterwards.

What liposuction is and is not

Liposuction removes localised fat deposits that have not responded to diet and exercise. It is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss method and not a treatment for obesity. It is generally appropriate for people in good health within about 30 percent of their ideal body weight.

It removes fat, not skin. Where loose skin is the concern, a skin-removing procedure such as abdominoplasty, brachioplasty or a thigh lift is the relevant option.

Seeing photographs relevant to you

The most useful way to look at before and after photographs is with your surgeon, who can show cases comparable to your anatomy and explain what is realistic in your case. Asking to see photographs of previous patients with similar conditions is a reasonable question at consultation, and one worth asking.

As at September 2024 and including GST, a consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon is $350. Since 1 July 2023, all patients are required to have a GP referral before seeing a plastic surgeon or doctor about cosmetic surgery.

Risks

All surgical procedures carry risks and potential complications, including infection, bruising, swelling, pain, scarring, bleeding and haematoma, seroma, contour irregularity, changes in sensation, anaesthesia complications and blood clots. Liposuction can be traumatic for internal organs, and visceral perforation, while uncommon, is a recognised risk.

Please read our information on the risks and complications of cosmetic surgery before proceeding.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

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