CONTENT WRITTEN BY AND APPROVED FOR MEDICAL ACCURACY BY DR REZA ALAMOUTI | UPDATED 2025/05/06
If you are struggling to lose stubborn fat that has proven to resist all your diet and exercise efforts, then surgery and medical aesthetics can help contour your figure.
Whether you want a dramatic transformation or subtle sculpting, 111 Harley St. offers both surgical and non-surgical interventions. Liposuction (the gold standard in surgical fat removal) is one of the most effective ways to reduce unwanted fat and Aqualyx, which is a non-surgical alternative, is highly sought-after fat-dissolving injection to help redefine your silhouette.
However, you may be wondering, which one is right for me and my body goals?
Fat removal surgery has been a trusted and transformative procedure for decades, offering a solution for those struggling with stubborn fat that resists even the most dedicated diet and exercise.
First conceptualised in the 1920s by French surgeon Dr Charles Dujarier, his early method (though imperfect) set the stage for the modern Liposuction technique. In the 1970s, Italian surgeons Dr Arpad and Giorgio Fischer refined the procedure, and by the 1980s, French surgeon Dr Yves-Gérard Illouz made significant improvements to it.
Since then, surgical body sculpting has continued to evolve, resulting in the advanced and effective Lipo procedure we know today.
Recent estimates show that over 17 million people around the world have had Liposuction since its inception. In the UK, 1,275 Liposuction procedures were performed in 2021, making up about 8.3% of all cosmetic surgeries that year. However, every year, millions of people opt for liposculpture, making it one of the top options for body contouring, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and other trusted organisations.
Even though this surgical procedure is commonly associated with the removal of abdominal fat, Liposuction surgery is perfect to use on areas like the abdomen, thighs, flanks, arms, and even under the chin.
One of the biggest benefits of undergoing this procedure is that it provides instant fat removal. Even though you will need to wait for the swelling and bruising to subside before being able to appreciate your transformation fully, you will still be able to feel the change in volume reduction immediately:
✓ Patients can expect to see a 40 to 70% reduction in fat volume in treated areas straight after surgery. This is because, once the fat is suctioned out, it is gone for good.
✓ Around 80% of swelling subsides within 4 to 6 weeks, revealing more defined results.
✓ Studies have also shown that 85 to 90% of patients report high satisfaction with their Liposuction results, which are typically visible between 6 to 12 months post-op.
At 111 Harley St., we offer the highly sought-after Liposuction surgery, VASER Liposuction, and the 360 Lipo procedure, and will guide you in choosing the option that best suits your needs.
If you are looking for a less invasive way to redefine your body shape, Aqualyx fat-dissolving injections may be a suitable option. Since being introduced to the world in 2009 by Italian professor Dr Pasquale Motolese, millions of fat-dissolving treatments have been performed around the globe.
Further Reading… Which Fat Dissolving Injections Are Right For You?
And it should come as no surprise why, as this progressive injectable treatment contains a deoxycholate solution that helps dissolve fat cells, which your body then gets rid of naturally. It is also completely non-invasive. This means patients do not need general anaesthesia, incisions, stitches or an overnight hospital stay. This also means zero downtime and that most can return to their daily activities immediately afterwards.
Aqualyx is especially great for treating smaller areas such as a stubborn double chin, love handles, upper arms, above the knees, and inner thighs, gradually removing the fat as it dissolves, providing subtle, beautiful and natural-looking results. A clinical study reported that up to 93.2% of patients experienced visible and satisfactory results following their Aqualyx treatments. Another study focusing on fat deposits on the inner knees found that Aqualyx effectively reduced these fat pads, with 57.14% of patients expressing satisfaction with the outcomes. Those are truly great results, highlighting the efficacy of non-surgical body contouring.
Liposuction
Invasiveness: Surgical
Time off work: Several days to 2 weeks
Hospital stay: Day case
Recovery: Some redness and swelling, should subside completely within a week
Recommended for: Large fat deposits
Aqualyx
Invasiveness: Non-surgical
Time off work: None
Hospital stay: None
Recovery: Up to 6 weeks
Recommended for: Small pockets of fat
During your initial consultation with us, we will talk about your goal, review your medical history and recommend which surgery we think is best to ensure the most beautiful, safe, and satisfactory results
Liposuction and Aqualyx have provided many with the opportunity to contour their bodies according to their specific needs. Both offer their respective celebrated benefits. Liposuction for its precision and ability to address more extensive fat removal, and Aqualyx for its non-surgical, minimally invasive nature, allowing for a smoother recovery process.
The beauty of these treatments lies in their versatility, making them suitable for a wide range of body types and goals. Whether you are looking for a more radical change or simply aiming to tweak certain areas, these body contouring options can help boost confidence, improve body image, and empower you to feel more comfortable in your own skin.
