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Localised fat can hypertrophy and deform the body contour to the point of being unsightly. Liposculpture is a surgical treatment for improving localised fat and body contour.
We currently use the terms liposculpture and liposuction. Both can be used to refer to the same thing.
Liposculpture has developed into a more advanced form of liposuction, in which case liposculpture is understood as liposuction performed with a thinner cannula, from the surface to the depth, in order to progressively sculpt the body, in the same way that a sculptor works.
Liposculpture should be done under tumescent anaesthesia. This local anaesthetic means that the patient bleeds little or nothing and allows for more precise work and a less painful post-operative period.
Practically the whole body can be operated on, but the most common areas are the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, back and arms, and the double chin can also be removed and the ankles reduced.
In many cases, Lipofilling or fat transplantation consists of using fat to inject into other areas of the body that we want to enlarge or remould, such as the buttocks or breasts.
Small 3-4 mm holes are made in the skin through which an anaesthetic liquid is introduced to prevent bleeding and pain, making it easier to detach the fat. The fat is then removed with a cannula and suctioned out.
In most cases, there is no bleeding. Once the fat has been removed and the holes properly sutured, the patient rests for 2-4 hours and can go home.
Anaesthesia can be local, epidural or general. At our clinic we prefer to use local anaesthesia with deep sedation so that the patient is calm or asleep and doesn’t feel the stress of the surgery. We usually remove between 2 and 4 litres of fat per area, but very large amounts of fat can be removed (although quantities over 6 litres should not be aspirated to avoid serious complications).
The surgery lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the amount of fat removed.
With this surgery, most patients lose the fat stored in certain areas of the body as well as some weight. However, this cannot be considered a weight loss surgery, but rather one that treats localised fat and remodels the body contour.
In young patients, the skin retracts in almost all cases. In older patients or those prone to stretch marks, the thinner skin on the stomach, inner thighs or arms may not retract. In these cases, the excess skin should be removed with a facelift.
We recommend a minimum of 1 to 3 weeks. The patient herself feels better in the first few days. Normally it should be worn for 1 month. In some cases, mini pads can also be placed under the girdle to improve skin retraction.
Summer shouldn’t be an obstacle to having surgery. Once the skin is clear of haematomas (‘blacks’), we can sunbathe a little, but in moderation. ‘If summer were an obstacle, then no one would ever be able to have surgery in Brazil, it’s almost always hot there.’
On the other hand, as has been explained throughout the surgical process, a liquid will be inserted to help it come out – we recommend manual post-surgical drainage. With this complement, the patient will see results more quickly.
Normally, it is more difficult for the operated area to regain fat because the fat deposits were destroyed during the surgery, which is not to say that without a balanced diet and a moderately active lifestyle this cannot happen again.
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