Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Adequate skin tone is needed for the skin to 'snap back' and redrape. During the past decade, liposuction, which is also known as 'lipoplasty' or 'suction lipectomy', has benefited from several new refinements. Today, a number of new techniques are helping many plastic surgeons to provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times.

The super-wet technique is a relatively new liposuction method that can reduce post operative bruising, swelling and pain. Blood loss is minimised during super-wet liposuction. In the super-wet technique, areas of excess fat are injected with an amount of anaesthetic liquid (that approximates the amount of fat to be removed) before liposuction is performed. The liquid causes the compartments of fat to become swollen and firm. The expanded fat compartments allow the liposuction cannula to travel smoothly beneath the skin as the fat is removed.

Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight-loss methods. Liposuction is a very challenging procedure requiring meticulous planning and preparation, a great deal of care and finesse and a 3D understanding of tissues.