Honest answers to the questions patients ask most often.
For specific questions about your case, book a consultation.
Between 90 minutes for a small single area (chin) and 4 hours for a large combined procedure (3D abdomen). Most single-area procedures take about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Yes. We use local tumescent anaesthesia for all procedures. The treatment area is fully numb but you’re conscious throughout. Intravenous and oral sedation is used.
During the procedure: no. You feel pressure and movement but no sharp sensation. In the first 1 to 3 days post-op: soreness similar to a hard workout, managed with paracetamol and (for larger procedures) prescribed pain relief.
We cap single-session removal at 5 litres. Larger volumes are staged across multiple sessions 12 weeks apart. The cap exists because large-volume removal in one session significantly increases complication risk.
The incisions are 2 to 4mm and placed in natural skin creases where possible (groin folds, behind the knee, around the umbilicus, behind the earlobe, in the bikini line). They don’t need stitches. Most fade to barely visible marks by 6 to 12 months.
Return to desk work: 3 to 7 days for most procedures, up to 14 days for calves and ankles. Compression garment for 4 to 6 weeks. Gym from week 2. Full final result at 3 to 6 months.
Some change is visible immediately. Most of the swelling resolves by 4 to 6 weeks. The contour continues refining for 3 to 6 months. Final result at 6 months. For procedures including Renuvion, skin tightening continues developing through 6 months.
The fat cells removed don’t regrow. If you maintain a stable weight, your result is permanent. If you gain significant weight, the remaining fat cells (in untreated areas) will enlarge first, often producing a different body shape than you had before.
Typically 1 to 4 kg of body weight, depending on how much fat is removed. Liposuction reshapes contour rather than driving weight loss. Patients seeking significant weight loss aren’t good candidates.
Depends on starting skin elasticity. Younger patients with good elasticity see skin retract well. Older patients or patients with significant laxity benefit from Renuvion added to the procedure. Patients with major laxity may need surgical excision (tummy tuck, brachioplasty) rather than liposuction.
Pricing depends on the area or areas treated. Chin liposuction starts from $5,000. Single body-area procedures (abdomen, thighs, arms, flanks) typically $7,900 to $12,990. The full pricing table is on our cost page.
Surgery, theatre, anaesthetic, and follow-up appointments at 1 week, 4 weeks and 6 weeks. Direct surgeon access for post-operative questions is included. The $200 consultation fee and the compression garment are paid separately.
Cosmetic liposuction: rarely. Lipoedema liposuction: sometimes, depending on the insurer and the specific policy. We can provide a medical necessity letter for lipoedema patients if requested.
Q Card finance is available. Apply directly through Q Card at qcard.co.nz. We don’t run internal payment plans.
Age itself isn’t a barrier. Skin elasticity and general health matter more than chronological age. Older patients often benefit from Renuvion added to the liposuction to address skin laxity.
BMI under 32 is our typical guideline. Higher BMI doesn’t automatically rule you out, but liposuction works on localised fat depots rather than overall weight, so the benefit is reduced at higher BMI. We assess case by case.
Yes, but we suggest completing your family first when possible. Pregnancy after liposuction is safe and doesn’t undo the result, but it can affect body shape in ways that make the original liposuction less impactful.
No. We wait until at least 3 months after weaning before scheduling surgery. Hormonal changes during breastfeeding affect tissue healing and final outcome.
Yes. Lipoedema is priced per session because treatment is staged across multiple sessions. The surgical approach is specialised for lipoedema-affected tissue. The recovery protocol includes specific lymphatic and hormonal support.
Depends on stage and distribution. Stage 1 sometimes resolves in 1 to 2 sessions. Stage 3 usually requires 3 to 5. We give you a specific projected session count at consultation.
Sometimes, depending on your insurer and policy. We provide a medical necessity letter on request. Most NZ patients self-fund most or all of their treatment.
Yes. Dr Ron has 30 years of experience in bio-identical hormone therapy. Most lipoedema patients show low progesterone on blood panels. Hormonal assessment and treatment is integrated into our protocol rather than referred out.
