What is Lipoplasty and How is it Performed?

Lipoplasty, commonly known as liposuction, is a procedure aimed at reshaping the body by removing excess fat deposits to achieve a more contoured physique. The technique, with a history of approximately fifty years, initially involved the direct aspiration of fat tissue. Over time, advancements were made to improve safety and efficacy, such as injecting fluids into the targeted areas to minimize bleeding, and later, energy-based methods like ultrasonic emulsification, laser evaporation, and radiofrequency ablation were introduced to facilitate fat removal. Each of these energy-based techniques comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, largely depending on individual variations in fat tissue circulation, which can sometimes lead to unexpected contour irregularities.

Despite these developments, the "wet technique," which involves the injection of a serum containing vasoconstrictive chemicals into the treatment area, remains the safest method. Potential complications include hematoma (especially in patients with bleeding disorders), infection, and embolism, though the latter has become extremely rare, occurring in only five out of every 100,000 cases, which indicates the relative safety of the procedure.

When performed following fundamental surgical principles, lipoplasty is a highly effective and safe procedure. The operation typically involves making small incisions, around 5 mm in size, through which long cannulas are inserted under the skin. The fat tissue, which has been made more fragile and constricted through prior fluid injection, is then removed using a vacuum. For smaller areas, local anesthesia may suffice, while more extensive procedures require general anesthesia. Post-operative care generally involves a few hours of rest and the application of a compression garment to the treated areas for several weeks. The procedure is particularly safe when the volume of fat removed does not exceed 5% of the patient's body weight, even in cases where multiple areas are treated.

Although liposuction is not primarily considered a weight-loss method, it has been found to significantly aid in overcoming certain weight-loss plateaus when combined with proper diet and exercise. It also contributes to reducing insulin resistance, particularly in cases involving abdominal fat, which has been shown to lower the need for insulin and oral antidiabetic medications in the management of Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, there is scientific evidence suggesting that liposuction may positively influence the progression of diabetes, making it not only a cosmetic procedure but also a beneficial intervention for promoting health and longevity.