Since fat grafting is commonly combined with a liposuction, the term Liposculpture became popularly widespread, meaning the surgical removal of localized fat excess and its partial redistribution in areas where there is a remodeling demand, leading to a new body shape. The partial reabsorption of the grafted fat is expected, ranging from patient to patient.
This technique uses a special saline and local anesthetic solution, which is injected in fat tissue prior to the fat suction and/or grafting.
The outcomes
Since the surgery removes a certain amount of fat, certainly there will be a weight reduction, which varies according to the patient’s body size. However, more important for the cosmetic result than the removed “pounds” are the proportions of each area relating to the rest of the trunk and limbs. Evaluating correctly the degree of the skin elasticity as well as the fat amount and location allows us to evaluate the outcomes. Although the results of a liposuction are often quite good, it is possible that we remove amounts above or below the optimal limit. Therefore, at least 50% improvement is expected. For perfectionists and patients with a large area to be treated, a complementary reintervention may be required, which can be carried out not before 6 months after the first intervention.
Limiting factors for the surgery outcomes are: obesity, abdominal visceral fat, poor prior skin quality, sagging muscle wall, intracavitary contents, quality of the gastrointestinal function, spine deviations and previous body asymmetries, aesthetic treatments that may have led to a previous tissue fibrosis, such as application of carbon dioxide in the area to be treated. The liposuction targets the subcutaneous fat layer (accumulated immediately under the skin), but does not reach the visceral fat (accumulated in deeper abdominal layers, surrounding the organs). The latter is limiting factor for reducing the abdominal volume through a liposuction, only improvable by means of dietary re-education.
The scars
The liposuction scars are minimal, usually ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 in.
Postoperative period
During the first weeks or even months, the treated areas are subject to “swelling” periods, with some spots denser and more voluminous than others. Over the months, by performing adequate lymphatic drainage and modelling exercises, you will gradually achieve the final outcome. No result should be deemed definitive before 6 to 9 months after surgery. A liposuction or liposculpture can cause pain, which will decrease gradually, provided you observe the postoperative guidelines. Eventual discomforts may be managed with painkillers and anti-inflammatories as well as local cooling, while protecting the skin from burning, since the local sensitivity is decreased.
Beware! The euphoria may lead you to troublesome effort, thus causing some hassles. You shall comply with medical guidelines!
Complementary cosmetic-medical and physiotherapeutic procedures as well as regular physical activity can greatly improve the final outcome, since muscle modelling is of utmost importance for shaping the new body contour. Nevertheless, be aware of choosing judiciously the professionals to carry out these procedures, because the wrong choice can lead to consequences difficult to solve.