Hi im dr.hema physiotherapist. I understand your concern. If you had mentioned about laser liposuction, Doctors usually perform laser lipo under local anesthesia (IF NOT LASER then has to undergo general anesthesia) With laser liposuction, the surgeon uses a thin tube, less than one millimeter in diameter, to melt and liquefy the fat in place. This liquefied fat then leaves your body in one of three ways. Unfortunately, while relatively uncommon, complications with laser liposuction do occur. An adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Fluid loss, blood clotting, pulmonary embolism, or infection. Less serious difficulties include Numbing or excessive pigmentation of the skin, bruising, allergy and scarring. Risk of complications is usually associated with howlarge the procedure is, as well as the surgeons skills. But the non-invasive way to go, with laser liposuction, he may recover faster and with or without fewer complications than with traditional liposuction. Before considering surgery I want him to consult a dietician and get a proper diet. Along with a proper diet,a proper set of exercises should be advised by a physical trainer. Keep a goal of time frame of 10 months to see the effect of diet with exercises.If it fails then you may think of opting for surgery. Hope this helps and guide your friend. In doubt do reply.