Liposuction is cosmetic surgery in which deposits of fat are removed to reshape or reduce one or more areas of the body. Common areas targeted include thighs, buttocks, abdomen, arms, neck and under the chin. This operation is also known as suction-assisted lipectomy or lipoplasty. Liposuction slims and reshapes the specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving body contours and proportion. Liposuction is best suited to people with a healthy weight and firm, elastic skin, who have pockets of fat in certain areas.