This treatment is used to remove excess fatty tissue in specific areas of the body, such as the thighs, stomach or buttocks, resistent to exercise and diet. Fat is removed by suction from selected sites of the body. An incision is made in the skin over the area, the fat cells are broken down using enzymes or ultra-sound, and the liquified fat is then sucked out through a cannula. This is done under local or general anaesthetic, depending on size of the area being treated. Common areas include, the hips, inner and outer thighs, abdomen and buttocks, as well as double chins. Pressure bandages or a corset are applied after the operation, and worn for about a month. Bruising and swelling take three weeks to disappear. Fat removal is permanent, but you can still put on weight in untreated areas. The operation is more successful in under 45s as older skin is less elastic and may not shrink so successfully and the patient may be left with folds. If too much fat is removed the skinsurface may be uneven. .