Surgical · 7 min read
Liposuction in London: What It Can and Cannot Do
By Dr Hassan Soueid · MD, FRCS · Lead Surgeon, Kensington Cosmetic Clinic
Published 21 June 2026
TL;DR. Liposuction removes stubborn pockets of fat to refine your shape. It is not a treatment for being overweight, it does not tighten loose skin, and it is not a cellulite cure. Used for the right reason on the right patient, it gives a permanent change in contour.
What liposuction is good at
It targets localised, diet-resistant fat, flanks, abdomen, thighs, the area under the chin, that has not shifted despite a sensible diet and exercise. The fat cells removed do not return.
What it cannot do
- It is not weight loss. It removes a modest volume, not many kilograms.
- It does not tighten skin. If skin laxity is the issue, a tuck or lift is the honest answer.
- It does not treat visceral fat, the fat around your organs only responds to lifestyle change.
Liposuction vs fat-dissolving injections
For very small pockets, injectable fat-dissolving can be enough and avoids surgery. For anything larger, or where precise sculpting matters, liposuction is more predictable and done once. We will recommend the smallest intervention that achieves your goal.
Are you a candidate?
The best results are in patients near their target weight with good skin elasticity and a specific area that will not budge. If skin quality is poor, we discuss skin-tightening or excisional options instead.
Frequently asked
Questions we get asked about EnerPeel®
- Will the fat come back?
- The treated fat cells are gone for good. Significant weight gain can still enlarge remaining cells elsewhere, so a stable weight protects the result.
- Does liposuction tighten skin?
- No. It removes fat. If loose skin is part of the picture, we plan a tuck or lift, or combine the two.
- How much downtime is there?
- Most people return to desk work within a few days and wear compression for a few weeks. Final shape settles over a few months.