Body jet water-assisted liposuction is fast and effective. Photo: NST

Depending on the patient, the procedure can be done under local or general anaesthetic. Patients may need to stay overnight if they want to, but most patients are discharged a few hours after the surgery.

Dr Yap, who has done more than a dozen liposuction surgeries since last year, says the removed fat won't return unless the patient leads an unhealthy lifestyle.

"Liposuction is not a procedure to lose weight, but to shape your body. Although anyone can go for liposuction, there are criteria to meet.

"If someone is obese, more fat need to be taken out, and there will be risks. If the patient is not fit, she can die, and people have died from massive liposuction before."

If carried out properly and the patients selected carefully, Dr Yap believes liposuction is safe.

"Some people go to unlicensed practitioners for cosmetic surgery because it's cheaper. But these clinics may not have an anaesthesiologist or a proper operating room. If something happens, they might not have the right equipment to save the patient," he cautions.

He also advises patients to exercise and lose weight first before they consider liposuction. Only when their body doesn't respond to these that he suggests liposuction.

"Liposuction is not a quick fix as you won't get the same result as when you exercise."