LIPOSCULPTURE
Do you know that localized fat in some parts of your body that you can’t get rid of, neither with exercise nor with a balanced diet? If you wish, and if it is indicated for you, this excess fat can be aspirated and grafted to another part of your body. It is possible to sculpt the body with your own fat in a single plastic surgery to give it more harmonious shapes.
WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT IS DONE
The surgical technique of filling that uses injectable substances or lipograft can be used all over the body with great chances of success to increase volumes, attenuate wrinkles, and correct furrows and depressions from scars in areas such as the abdomen, face, and hands, among others. The procedure, done through injections in the dermis and/or subcutaneous tissue, is contraindicated in joint areas, close to nerves, arteries, and veins.
One of the two main fillers is hyaluronic acid (more information on the Lip Filler page), whose synthetic form is widely used on the face for lip augmentation, attenuation of fine wrinkles (around the lips), filling of nasolabial folds, and recovery of facial contours. In this case, the procedure can be done on an outpatient basis.
The other filler is autogenous fat, obtained from the patient herself, whose procedure we call Liposculpture. In the same surgical procedure, we remove the fat accumulation in some areas and reuse it in other areas with reduced or absent volume.
It works well in the parts of the body that demand more volume, such as the lips, cheeks, facial furrows, breasts, buttocks, among others. In this case, we perform the procedure in a hospital with all the resources, because the Liposuction is necessary to aspirate the fat (for example, from the abdomen or hips) and then it is treated (washed, filtered, centrifuged, and decanted) to select only the part of the fat for the injections. This fat is rich in stem cells, which are fundamental in the rejuvenation of the tissues that receive it.
It is common for this plastic surgery to last between 1 and 2 hours. It varies according to the planning of the areas to be liposuctioned and lipografted. We decide with the anesthesiologist if the epidural, local with sedation, or general anesthesia is better for each patient.
Main parts of the body where Liposculpture can be done:
Face – As the years go by, naturally the cheekbones and the area below the lower eyelids “deflate”, lose fat. Dark circles under the eyes become apparent. Wrinkles and expression lines appear in the corners of the eyes, in the furrows between the cheeks and the nose, and from the nose to the corners of the mouth. The lipograft planning involves filling these and other areas of the face with fat injections, rescuing and redefining a young face contour. If indicated and if the skin presents turgor and some retraction capacity, we can perform liposuction of the jowls and submento (jaw) right at the beginning of the surgery.
Lips – Known as bioplasty, the lip filling procedure can be used to increase volume, correct asymmetries, eliminate wrinkles around the mouth, and enhance the lines and contours of the lips. In this case, the objective of the fat injections is to restore the general vigor to the tissues of the region, as well as improve the quality of the skin.
Breasts – The surgical technique of fat grafting in the breasts can be used alone (of course, after the Liposuction!), but also in association with Augmentation Mammaplasty and Mastopexy surgeries. Thus, we have the possibility of improving the contour of the breasts, leaving them more attractive and natural.
Buttocks – Besides being obtained in other donor areas, the fat located around the buttocks can also be redistributed in them with the objective of improving the contours. This region can receive a considerable amount of fat, from 300ml to 500ml on each side on average.
Hands – They are always exposed to the sun and end up looking prematurely aged, with thinner and flaccid skin. Fat injections in the back of the hands can give them a more youthful look.
INDICATION
Liposculpture is one of the most popular plastic surgeries to leave the body physiologically harmonious. The procedure is sought by women and men who are over 30 years old and seek to renew and rejuvenate their looks. Generally, these are people who have not yet achieved more consistent results with their bodies through physical exercise and good habits (diet, rest, less stress, etc.).
Most of the time, they are Liposuction patients and are bothered by the excess of fat in some parts of the body and, also, with the lack of it in others. At the same time that it reduces the excess fat in the hips and leaves the belly flatter, for example, it can improve the curves of the buttocks region, and increase the breasts and lips.
It is necessary to keep in mind that Liposculpture does not interrupt the body’s evolutionary process. It visually delays the aging process and optimizes all the natural characteristics of the areas that receive the fat injections. In some cases, there is a need for touch-ups or additions, after a certain period of time.
The more the person is in good health, at the ideal weight (in relation to height and age), with firm and elastic skin, the better and more lasting the result of the procedure.
The time to realize the planned result of the Liposculpture is related to the place where the liposculpture was done. On the hands, for example, from 2 to 3 weeks, the same time as on the face. On the buttocks and breasts, it takes from 3 to 4 months.
PREOPERATIVE
It is essential to consult the SCHEDULED THE SURGERY? page which has a series of questions to talk about during the consultations, to help you with your doubts and where you will find recommendations for the day of the procedure.
Also, since Liposuction precedes the procedure, here is a checklist to help you get organized:
🅐 Prior lymphatic drainage sessions help prepare the body for surgery and reduce the risk of post-surgical complications, such as infection, excessive edema, hematomas and scar tissue.
🅑 Purchase compressive mesh from a specialized company and take it with you on the day of the surgery, as it is placed immediately at the end of the procedure. The mesh is for the post-surgery of Liposuction. Choose a very comfortable model, fair, but not tight.
🅒 In the case of women, menstruation is not an impediment to your surgery, but preferably schedule it for outside the menstrual period.
🅓 Make sure that during this most critical period of the recovery, of 2 to 3 weeks, nobody depends on you in the family or at work. Following the planning to the letter has the objective of guaranteeing the desired results.
POSTOPERATIVE
After the surgery, according to the needs of each case, the patient is released after 12 to 24 hours of hospitalization, always taking into account the comfort and safety. Avoid efforts on the day of the surgery, including long walks or climbing stairs.
The first two days must be of absolute rest, which is fundamental for healing. After that, do not lie or sit down for prolonged periods. If you had surgery in the gluteal region, avoid sitting or lying down supporting the graft area; a tip is to use water buoys with a central hole. Stand up and move around at home, but avoid great efforts. Depending on the liposuctioned and/or liposculpted regions, try to sleep as comfortably as possible using pillows and cushions.
It is normal in the first days the production of seroma (accumulation of liquids in the operated area), edema (swelling), temporary loss of sensibility, pain (light to moderate), ecchymoses (purple spot), hypertrophy and hyperchromia of the scar, surface irregularities, hardening of the liposuctioned area, etc. As well as it is normal the formation of edemas in the areas that received the fat injections. Cold compresses in these areas are a good option.
It is worth pointing out that part of the fat grafted through Liposculpture is absorbed by the body. The percentage of absorption depends on the body part and varies from patient to patient. We follow up and propose a schedule of complementary procedures (varies between 6 to 12 months) until the planned and longer lasting result is achieved.
The pain is not usually very bothersome, but you will probably feel it for a few days while the swelling begins to go down, depending on each person and the extent of the surgery. Try to wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off for at least the first week. Because of the Liposuction, wear modeling girdles for a minimum of 30 days, 24 hours a day. Then another 30 days, only at night.
Opt for lighter food on the 1st day (fruit, soup, gelatin, fiber, liquids, etc.). From the 2nd day of the procedure on, you can eat practically anything, but food with a minimum of salt in order not to increase swelling, and mainly protein (meat, milk, eggs) and vitamin (fruit) based. Drink plenty of liquids. Do not go on a diet or weight loss regime until you are cleared by your doctor. Alcoholic beverages, smoking, saunas, and steam baths must be avoided during the entire recovery period.
Asymmetries and small irregularities in the face are absolutely normal during the recovery period, because the right half of the face is different from the left half, including the way it reacts to the surgery. Thus, one side can have more swelling than the other, or one side can absorb the swelling faster than the other. We follow up on a case-by-case basis.
As in the preoperative period, schedule lymphatic drainage sessions from 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, beginning on the 5th day. We recommend the schedule. Besides eliminating the accumulation of liquid from the body, this treatment activates the immunological system, helps reduce pain and discomfort, relieves bruising and swelling, and is effective in the prevention and treatment of fibrosis and scar adhesions. Note: drainage must not be done in the areas that received the fat injections.
Avoid makeup for at least 1 week for those who have had Facial or Lip Liposculpture. Exfoliants and depigmenting products will only be allowed after evaluation. During this period, wash your face softly with neutral and creamy soap. Avoid traumas in the procedure areas.
After 1 week it is already possible to return moderately to daily activities, but without physical effort and try to limit sudden and large movements. Light exercises (such as walking and stretching) after the 15th day are allowed, as well as driving. More intense physical activities and contact sports after evaluation. Avoid as much as possible exposure of the scars to the sun for at least 3 months; after that, always use sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF (sun protection factor).