Liposuction is not a new procedure. It has been carried out since the 1980s, but in recent years, it has adopted new approaches and incorporated technologies to improve results and post-operative recovery.
The French plastic surgeon Yves Gerard Illouz revolutionized the treatment of localized fat by removing subcutaneous fat through cannulas connected to continuous suction. This procedure, later known as liposuction, is one of the most performed in the realm of plastic surgery.
Want to know everything about the evolution of liposuction techniques and how it now provides better results with faster recovery?
Dr. Laertes Thomaz Junior, a plastic surgeon member of the American and Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, talks about the incorporated technologies and who can undergo this procedure today!
Liposuctions performed in Brazil
Liposuction is the second most sought-after plastic surgery procedure in Brazil. The intervention is recommended for people who want to remove excess body fat from areas like the abdomen, thighs, back, and arms.
Currently, there are approaches like HD lipo and office lipo. It is estimated that almost 600 liposuctions are performed in Brazil daily, which may or may not be combined with new techniques.
Cannula size: the first revolution in liposuction
Replacing initially large cannulas with thinner ones reduced the invasiveness of the surgery, providing a surface with fewer irregularities.
“Another innovation was introducing a vasoconstrictive solution into adipose tissue before starting the procedure,” explains Dr. Laertes, emphasizing that the change ensured less bleeding and more fat removal.
One of the major advancements in liposuction was the use of a vibrating electronic mechanism connected to the cannulas, making axial, circular, and very fast movements. Called vibroliposuction, this technique facilitates the cannula’s passage through the tissues and preserves manual sensitivity for refinements.
“This speeds up the treatment of large body areas, reducing surgical time by 35%. The pulsation helps remove localized fat by breaking down fat cells, reducing physical stress and giving the surgeon a better condition to reshape some body areas,” explains Dr. Laertes.
Lipo HD: the darling technique of celebrities
In HD lipo, one of the most modern techniques, the vibroliposuction device rotates the cannula’s tip, resulting in less bruised tissues and a much smoother surgery.
“Another very modern device that facilitates liposuction surgery is Vaser (ultrasonic liposuction), recommended for the time preceding fat removal. When it turns liquid, it is easier to suck it with the vibroliposuction cannula,” explains Dr. Laertes, who also uses devices like Renuvion and BodyTite to reduce skin sagging.
Difference between LAD lipo and traditional lipo
The so-called HD lipo is another alternative to traditional liposuction techniques. This technology selectively targets adipose tissue, liquefying the fat for easier extraction.
The main difference between LAD lipo and the traditional one is that the former facilitates body sculpting. In it, the surgeon can remove both superficial and deep body fat that surrounds muscle groups.
HD lipo can be performed on more areas besides the abdomen. It’s indicated for any body areas with minimal fat, such as arms, back, thighs, or calves.
Mini lipo or office lipo
Light lipo is a procedure for those needing to remove unwanted fat but don’t want to undergo major plastic surgery.
Also called office lipo, mini lipo, or smart lipo, the procedure doesn’t require hospitalization and can be done entirely in the medical clinic, using local anesthesia and with discharge on the same day.
“Light lipo is indicated for specific cases. It’s recommended for patients within their ideal weight but have small localized fats,” explains Dr. Laertes, emphasizing that the procedure can be done on areas like the inner knees, love handles, abdomen, chin/double chin, arms, back, and love handles.
Mini lipo should not be done by individuals significantly above their ideal weight or those with health issues that make the procedure unsafe to perform in a clinic setting.