Treatment time will vary depending on the size of the area and the amount of fat being removed, but generally takes between one and two hours. Liposuction may be performed under a local anesthesia, which numbs the affected areas, usually combined with intravenous sedation. For more extensive procedures, a general anesthesia may be used.  During the procedure the surgeon will insert a narrow tube called a cannula through a tiny incision, typically near the elbow or in the armpit crease. The cannula is pushed and pulled through the fat layer breaking up the fat cells ad suctioning them out. Surgeons may use a “dry” technique, a “tumescent” technique (that introduces large amounts of fluid to the area being worked on). After surgery, you will be required to wear pressure bandages on your arms to cut down on swelling.