LIPOSCULPTURE

History of Liposculpture

Liposculpture also known as liposuction or lipoplasty is currently the most popular cosmetic procedure around the world and has evolved considerably over the years.

In 1921, a French surgeon, Dr Dujarrier attempted to remove fat from the legs of a ballerina using a curette. Unfortunately, infection followed and as no antibiotics existed, one of her legs had to be amputated.

It was not until 1974 that Italian father and son cosmetic surgeons, Drs Arpad and Giorgio Fischer, commenced work on cannulas (surgical instruments) to remove fat deposits through a tiny incision. In 1975 they produced the first functional instrument and operated on a group of patients. Their work was first published in the Bulletin of the International Academy of Cosmetic Surgery in 1976.

In 1976 Dr Fischer travelled to Paris to demonstrate liposculpture on Dr Pierre Fournier’s patients. Then in 1978 Dr Ives Illouz of Paris simplified Fischer’s instrument.

The new technique of syringe liposculpture was discovered in 1985 by Dr Pierre Fournier.
American dermatologist Dr Jeffrey Klein developed the tumescent technique in 1987, making it possible to perform liposculpture totally under local anaesthetic making it safer and an almost bloodless procedure.

In 1992, Italian plastic surgeon, Dr Marco Gasparotti revolutionised liposuction by addressing fat deposits close under the skin (superficial), as opposed to previous practices working only in the deep layers of fat.

At the same time Brazilian plastic surgeon, Dr Luiz Toledo was refining that technique. It is not a coincidence that Drs Gasparotti and Toledo both use the syringe technique.

In recent years, Dr Zurek has abandoned the suction machine and prefers syringe liposculpture to shape and contour the body.

Is it for me?

Liposculpture is the removal of excess fat in areas of the body that do not respond to normal weight loss and exercise regimes. In other words they are abnormal deposits of fat, which simply persist and expand. Liposculpture is not a method of treatment for obesity or cellulite.

The most popular regions requiring improvement are hips, inner and outer thighs, abdomen, arms and under the chin.
Men commonly request the “love handles”, breasts (man boobs) and abdomen. These larger deposits of fat can make clothing feel uncomfortable when the bulges are out of proportion with the bodies balance.

Tumescent Liposculpture Procedure

The procedure is performed with oral sedation and tumescent (which means to swell) anaesthetic solution. Small entry incisions are made in the skin; they are less than 1cm in length.
The anaesthetic is infiltrated into the fatty deposits to be treated, which completely numbs the areas and the Adrenalin it contains reduces bleeding, which minimises bruising post-operatively.

The fatty deposits are then extracted using fine metal tubes called cannulas, which are attached to a large syringe under vacuum suction.
Even though the patient is sedated they are still able to move and even stand up, so the contours can be sculpted to achieve the best desired results.
Each procedure takes a varying amount of time depending on the volume of fat for removal.

Following the procedure there will be minimal swelling and bruising. The worst part is probably the leakage of blood stained fluid from the small incisions, as residual anaesthetic fluid drains out overnight. Small pads are worn to absorb this and it is expected to dry up by the next day.
An appropriate surgical garment is worn for a period of time, to assist in the re-draping of underlying tissue and reduce swelling.
The puncture marks heal with minimal trauma to the skin and the final result, although visible immediately after the procedure is not until a few months later.