Liposculpture: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Liposculpture is a procedure that involves invasive removal of fat from the body. the fat cells accumulated under the skin and muscles are not only removed with liposculpture but the body is also given a toned and proper shape as desired by the patient. In liposculpture, all of the fat is not sucked out. Some of the fat is left in the body and it is done quite artistically to give a body a toned structure. So, liposculpture is mainly liposuction done artistically where only that part of the excess fat is removed where it is not desired. Liposculpture is mainly done around the abs to get a six pack abs structure or a flat tummy with etched abs, near the love handles, the muscles under the chin, highs, back and arms. Liposculpture mainly addresses the fats that are very tough to get rid with exercise or diet control. The procedure involves fat removal with a hollow tube or by an aspirator or by giving sutures. Liposculpture does not reduce cellulite, sagging skin and stretch marks. There are different types of liposculpture like power-assisted liposculpture, ultrasound-assisted liposculpture, vaser liposculpture and laser-assisted liposculpture.

Liposculpture is done by first anaesthetising the candidate locally. With the help of cannulas that are thin metallic tubes are inserted into the fat to suction the fat out with a syringe or surgical vacuum. Liposculpture in large areas are done by first using general anaesthesia or IV sedation. Usually, overnight stay for observation is not required in the hospital after the procedure unless the fat removed is really large. The procedure has an advantage of using the sucked out fat in other body parts that require proper shape with fats like face or buttocks. The technique of power assisted liposculpture uses a tool that vibrates and breaks down the fats cells. This is maily useful in removing fat from dense areas like upper abdomen and back. With ultrasound assisted liposculpture large volumes of fat is first melted using ultrasonic energy. After melting the fat, it is sucked out with cannula. Hence, this procedure takes longer time. Vaser liposculpture is a technique that uses a grooved cannula to disperse the energy evenly in the fat cells thereby breaking them down more efficiently. In laser assisted liposculpture, the same grooved cannula is used but the energy used is of lower intensity. The areas like face and neck have thin layers of fat which does not require using a cannula for sucking the fat out. The fat in these areas are melted using energy which then gets absorbed by other body parts.

Men and women whose weight is not too high but have unwanted fat accumulated on several body parts, people who have BMI lower than 30, young people especially who are non-smokers have elastic skin are eligible for the treatment.

The procedure is not very good for people who are excessively overweight, have BMI more than 30 and older people who do not have very elastic skin so that after the procedure the skin does not remain sagged down.

The complications that may arise due to liposculpture are death, pain, bruising, infection, bleeding, swelling, necrosis of the skin, sagging of skin, burns, scars, deformities, fluid imbalance, puncture wound in the organs and embolism.

After the procedure people may have pain in the areas where liposculpture is done. The pain can be relieved using paracetamol, a mattress cover for the first night, a compression garment for a few weeks and 3 days of rest after the procedure is done.

It takes about six months after the procedure to see results and a complete year for all the complications to go away.

The price of liposculpture in India ranges from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 5 lakh.

Yes, the results are permanent in areas where large fats are removed but the overall body weight may be gained after sometime.

Alternative for the procedure may be regular exercise and yoga to achieve a toned and good shaped body.