By the end of puberty we will have developed our total number of fat cells and they will be in their final distribution. As we gain or lose weight fat cells enlarge or shrink but do not change in number. Some areas of the body will have more fat cells than we want. These can become problem areas if they resist diet and exercise. These areas may be inherited. Tumescent Liposculpture may be the only reliable way to correct these problem areas.

Tumescent Liposculpture allows the physician to tunnel directly into the fatty layers of the body in a crisscross pattern with fine cannulas, suctioning out the fat. A compression garment is worn after surgery to help the tunnels to collapse and the skin to contour to its new shape.

Is Liposuction permanent?
Liposculpture is permanent because the cells that contain the fat have been removed. We do not grow new fat cells, the remaining fat cells will get larger and smaller as we gain and lose weight. The new shape that has been produced by Liposculpture will remain in proportion.

While Liposculpture can remove as much as 10 percent of the body fat it should not be regarded as a weight loss technique. The best candidates for Liposuction are of normal weight with localised areas of excess fat. Megaliposuction is needed for people who are overweight.

Will Liposculpture help me?
The pinch test will tell you if you have enough fat in any particular area to be helped by Liposculpture. Hold the skin and fat between the thumb and forefinger. Unless there is more than one inch, Liposculpture may not be very useful.
Poor muscle tone can contribute to a sagging appearance. If you think this may be a problem then the pinch test should be applied while you are tensing the muscle.

Patients with severe heart, kidney, bleeding or liver problems may not be suitable for Liposculpture.

How long does the procedure take?Liposuction is a day only procedure done under local anaesthetic. Sedation is available if you require it.

How soon can I go back to work?
We advise people to take 4 days off work and then return to light duties. Full duties are possible after 2 weeks.

What other benefits are there?
Dr Hoppichler reported at the 11th European Congress on obesity, that while liposuction usually is performed for cosmetic reasons it can significantly change a person's cholesterol level.

Dr Hoppichler said the 8 patients who took part in his study lost about 2.80 kilos of body fat each and had significant decreases in total cholesterol levels.

Liposuction not only removes excess fat from the hips, abdomen, bottom and thighs, it can also help to improve cholesterol levels.