Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

File photo Shutterstock/UfaBizPhoto

More than €4.5 million was spent on liposuction in public hospitals since 2009

The number of people receiving the surgery has increased by 50% since 2011.

MORE THAN 1,000 patients have received liposuction treatment in public hospitals at a cost of almost €4.6 million since 2009, new figures have revealed.

Last year alone, a total of €622,960 was spent on the cosmetic fat-removal procedures for 134 patients in state-run hospitals.

The treatment involves the surgical removal of fat from particular parts of the body – such as the thighs, buttocks, or abdomen – in order to create a more toned physical appearance.

The HSE’s own website describes liposuction as “a cosmetic procedure carried out to improve a person’s appearance, rather than their health”.

“The aim of the procedure is not to reduce weight but to improve your figure,” it states, and adds that “popular areas” for liposuction include under the chin, neck, upper arms, calves and ankles.

Records released under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that €4,562,524 was spent on liposuction and lipectomy procedures in public hospitals between 2009 and 2016.

A total of 1,011 patients availed of the fat-removal procedures during that period, reaching a peak of 159 in 2015 at a cost of €756,942 before falling last year to 134 and a total spend of €622,960.

The number of patients undergoing liposuction surgery has increased by 50% since 2011, when 89 people received the treatment at a cost of €437,799.

The HSE did not provide a comment in response to queries relating to the provision of liposuction in public hospitals. However, the agency has previously stated that procedures of this nature are carried out on the basis of a clinical diagnosis by a consultant.

“The HSE provides and sometimes funds surgery aimed at correcting disfigurement or restoring function lost as a result of accidents, birth defects, or treatment of disease, or in some cases due to psychological distress caused by such a condition, which would be diagnosed by a consultant plastic surgeon,” it has said.

Most liposuction operations take between one and four hours, and are usually performed under general anaesthetic unless the area being treated is confined to the lower body, in which case an epidural can be used.

During the procedure, a suction tube called a microcannula is attached to a specialist vacuum machine and inserted into the appropriate area of the patient’s body. It is then used to loosen and suck fat out of that area.

The same technique is also occasionally used as part of the treatment of certain conditions such as gynaecomastia (the development of breast tissue in men), and lipomas (non-cancerous fatty lumps).

Read: ‘It’s not an easy way out’: Is surgery the way to help solve Ireland’s obesity crisis?

Read: Over €1 million spent last year on surgeries for morbidly obese people

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 14 comments
Close
14 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fandango Morgan
    Favourite Fandango Morgan
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 7:39 AM

    Looking around the streets of Dublin, a couple of more million could afford to be spent

    184
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rosie Murray
    Favourite Rosie Murray
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 1:02 PM

    @Fandango Morgan: a lot of liposuction that I’ve seen done in the public hospital I worked in, was cosmetic, but was done to improve the appearance of burns, scars. Probably a misleading article.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Sims
    Favourite Catherine Sims
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 2:14 PM

    @Rosie Murray: See now that is medical. Yes I agree the article is probably misleading .

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ADLynch
    Favourite ADLynch
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 7:56 AM

    The Japanese fleet are getting closer by the day.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rathminder
    Favourite Rathminder
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 8:15 AM

    Where do I sign up?

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian O Reilly
    Favourite Brian O Reilly
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 8:45 AM

    Could we use all that fat to produce bio fuel

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Murphey
    Favourite David Murphey
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 10:28 AM

    Nobody should be surprised by this. The HSE even pays for sex changes – sorry, “gender reassignment surgery”.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John B
    Favourite John B
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 12:57 PM

    @David Murphey: didn’t you read the article?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Tuomey
    Favourite Ciaran Tuomey
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 8:34 AM

    We have grown fat and lazy and this is evidence of far we have fallen

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Partysauras Rex
    Favourite Partysauras Rex
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 9:28 AM

    @Ciaran Tuomey: “The HSE provides and sometimes funds surgery aimed at correcting disfigurement or restoring function lost as a result of accidents, birth defects, or treatment of disease, or in some cases due to psychological distress caused by such a condition, which would be diagnosed by a consultant plastic surgeon,” but you just blame all the lazy people there Mr. Closedmind.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patabake Kennedy
    Favourite Patabake Kennedy
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 12:01 PM

    Put a lock and chain on the fridge, job done.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emer Caffrey
    Favourite Emer Caffrey
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 10:43 PM

    @Patabake Kennedy: Chocolate is best at room temperature

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Pepper
    Favourite Ken Pepper
    Report
    Aug 15th 2017, 8:22 PM

    I’d love a chicken fillet roll

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alberto Calvo
    Favourite Alberto Calvo
    Report
    Aug 14th 2017, 7:50 AM

    +55082981227493

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds