Background: Liposuction is the surgical removal of fat by negative pressure evacuation. (suction) It creates its effect through a combination of fat removal and overlying skin contraction. By definition it is a volume reduction procedure. But depending upon the patient and the volume of fat removed the external effect may be a general body shape reduction or one of creating more noticeable curves.
Smaller amounts of fat reduction on a body that has a good weight can be referred to as Liposculpture. The small amount of fat removed is more responsible for creating an improved shape rather than just an overall body reduction effect. In Liposculpture smaller cannulas are used to reduce the risks of irregularities whose risk is higher when thinner layers of subcutaneous fat are removed.
While some that perform liposuction use the term liposculpture as more of marketing or promotional term, not all liposuction procedures produce a true body shaping effect. It depends on where the fat is removed and how much convexities are converted into concavities or at least into more linear shapes.
Case Study: This 36 year-old female was bothered by fullness in her stomach and waistline areas that had developed after having children. While she was at a good weight, her problematic areas were resistant to increased exercise efforts.
Under general anesthesia she had power-assisted liposuction (PAL) performed on her full abdomen and love handle areas. A total of 1750ml of fat aspirate was removed in a 90 minute procedure.
In smaller amounts of fat reduction it can takes about six to eight weeks after surgery to see the majority of the body reshaping results. In reality it takes a full three months to see the complete results and to have any residual asymmetries due to swelling subside. While every liposuction result will have some irregularities and asymmetries at the three month period, it is just a question of whether revisional liposuction would be beneficial.
Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) is a very popular method amongst plastic surgeons. The mechanical oscillation of the end of the cannula makes the manual effort by the surgeon less tiresome and offers a more efficient method of fat removal. Such refined cannular movements are particularly effective in more refined liposculpture cases.
Highlights:
1) Many women suffer from small collections of fat around the waistline that are resistant to diet and exercise.
2) Smaller volumes of fat removal in liposuction can be referred to as ‘liposculpture’ as it is more about reshaping than significant volume reduction.
3) Power-assisted liposuction is an effective method of body liposculpture.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana