Liposuction is the aspiration of fat from the body using a suction technique. This can be of various forms: traditional suction-assisted liposuction, VASER liposuction, Waterjet Liposuction, etc.

Liposculpture is using liposuction to sculpt the body into a more pleasing shape. In other words, liposuction done well is effectively liposculpture. This is most obvious in thigh surgery, where sucking away every fat cell will have disastrous cosmetic results. So the surgeon effectively slims the treated area, plus produces a moe pleasing overall form: truly sculpting, which is an art.

Sculpting during liposuction surgery is not always easy, particularly since most forms of liposuction surgery involve tumescent infiltration to reduce bleeding. This engorges the tissues and can distort the overall form. Add in the fact that the patient is lying down, which causes shifting of fat lumps.

Waterjet Liposuction has the huge advantage of not using the tumescent technique. Infiltration is with enough local anaesthetic solution for tissue anaesthesia (and vasoconstriction to reduce bleeding). So the tissues are not engorged and distorted. Liposculpture is thus more accurate. Add in the fact that the procedure can be done under twilight sedation, this allows movement and turning. Although there is still some movement in the tissues, it does allow easier assessment intra-operatively when the patients can co-operate with commands.

Liposculpture is a surgical procedure whereby liposuction is used to define a more pleasing body shape. It can be performed on any part of the body, including tummy, thighs, arms and even parts of the face.

It is used to described more cautious liposuction, where the primary goal is to produce the ideal contour that blends in with the rest of the body. Some people will undergo sequential liposuction to slowly change their entire physiques!

Liposculpture is particularly important for thigh liposuction, where a certain amount of residual fat is desirable. Discussing your desired end-result with your surgeon is very important, so that he can then know how to plan your operation.

For thigh liposculpture, some will be delighted with the removal of unsightly saddlebags or reducing inner thigh rubbing. However, other ladies will not be happy unless their legs look great in skinny jeans.

During the liposculpture procedure, an anaesthetic tumescent solution is injected into the target areas to distend the tissues, numb the skin and reduce bleeding. The surgeon then uses a vacuum system attached to a cannula to suck out the unwanted fat.

Prior to the procedure, the problem areas are carefully mapped out so he knows exactly what fat to remove. He also assesses fat thickness and contours during the surgery, continually checking that your desired shape is being achieved.

After the procedure, you will have to wear compression garments for a number of weeks to reduce swelling and aid skin contraction. This helps to reduce unevenness too.

Some degree of discomfort, swelling and bruising are to be expected. However, when you see your final result, I’m sure you will be delighted that you’ve been brave enough to go through with it!

Many people do not know what to expect after liposculpture surgery. They expect some pain, but do not know how much it is really going to hurt. The right mental attitude is key to a swift recovery.

The reality is that the rate of recovery can vary quite tremendously. And an individual’s personal mental attitude plays a huge role here.

Obviously larger operations will produce more pain, but two people having identical procedures can have completely different experiences.

If someone goes into the liposuction operation expecting to be in excruciating pain after the operation, that is most likely to be the case.

If someone expects no pain, on the other hand, he will be in a big shock after the operation!

The ideal situation is to expect some degree of discomfort, a reduction in mobility for a period of time, but be determined to continue with as many normal activities as possible, using pain killers as necessary.

Swelling is also common after liposuction surgery. Swelling can track down (with the force of gravity) to areas which were not operated on. For example, the knees and feet and swell up after thigh liposculpture. The swelling may persist for a number of weeks, making the compression garments uncomfortable, and joints less mobile. Lymphatic drainage massage is excellent for relieving swelling and speeding up recovery.

Bruising is also to be expected. This is less with the newer forms of liposuction, and they target fat more specifically than traditional tumescent liposuction, so less damage is done to nerves and blood vessels.

Liposculpture is for improving body shape, not for weight loss. The ideal candidate has pockets of stubborn fat, commonly in the love handles, saddle bags, inner thighs and upper arm areas, but is otherwise generally slim all over.

Some people think that they can have poor lifestyle habits (eat too much, no exercise, etc) and just use liposuction to get rid of the excess fat. However, once all the fat in the skin has been removed, the fat gets stored around the internal organs, and this is very dangerous for health, increasing the risks of metabolic disease exponentially. And liposuction cannot be used to treat internal fat.

The ideal candidate should not be overweight, and just have stubborn pockets of fat that will not go despite eating properly and exercising. Once the fat is removed through liposculpture, the person should then maintain this shape for life.

Liposculpture can also be used to remove bra bulges and even reduce male breasts (gynaecomastia).

Done well, it allows clothes to fit better, and often has positive emotional benefits.

However, some people with body dysmorphic disorder perceive themselves as fat, and will demand liposculpture too. These candidates should be discouraged by ethical surgeons.

Slim people will bulging lower tummies may not be fat. Poor muscle tone often leads to abdominal bulging.

Ideally, you should seek out a few doctors before deciding if you want to proceed with liposculpture surgery. They can then best advise if you are a good candidate and whether your desired results are realistic.

As with all surgical procedures, liposculpture surgery involves some risk. Although your results are likely to be great, you must be prepared that not everything may go to plan, and some serious complications may occur. So do your homework before rushing into it!

Potential Problems after Liposculpture include:

1. Skin dimpling and unevenness. This is particularly with traditional liposuction, where the fat is effectively cored out. If done too superficially, a smooth effect may not be seen.

2. Loose Skin. Skin contractility is of particular concern in tummy and arm liposculpture. If there is inadequate elasticity, the skin will not tighten adequately, resulting in swinging bye bye arms or a hanging apron in the tummy area.

3. Poor Results. As the operation is done with you lying down, the fat position may not correspond to where it lies when you are upright. So although the contours look great on the operating table, it may not be perfect in other body positions. A surgeon’s experience is key here.

4. Abnormal Fat Collections. Should you put on weight in future, the operated areas are less likely to increase in size, and strange pockets of fat may enlarge instead.

5. Local Anaesthetic Toxicity can occur hours after surgery and cause fitting and/or heart rhythm abnormalities.

6. Infection and subsequent scarring.

7. Death. No one ever likes to talk about deaths associated with cosmetic surgery, but liposuction/liposculpture has a small, but finite risk associated with it, from organ puncture, fat embolism, bleeding.