Liposuction is a surgical procedure in which a suction technique is used to remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck. Liposuction also shapes (contours) these areas. Liposuction may also be referred to as liposculpture and body contouring.

Liposuction is not typically considered a general method, nor an alternative for weight loss. If you are overweight, you are likely to lose more weight with diet and exercise or bariatric procedures (such as gastric bypass surgery) than with liposuction.

You may be a candidate for liposuction if you have too much body fat in specific locations, but have a stable body weight.