What is Liposculpture?

Liposculpture is an alternative, minimally invasive form of liposuction pioneered in the late 20th century. Rather than using large incisions to remove fat from the body, liposculpture uses small suction mechanism to target specific fat deposits under the skin. The procedure is used to contour or fine tune areas of the body, rather than to completely re-sculpt it.

The theory behind this cosmetic procedure was postulated by Italian doctor Arpad Fischer in the 1970s. Early experiments were conducted over the next decade by a French doctor, Pierre Fournier. With the invention of the tumescent technique in the late 1980s by Dr. Jeffery Klein, the procedure gained popularity in Australia and spread throughout Europe and America.

The tumescent technique is a vital part of the liposculpting procedure. In this process, a saline-based local anesthetic is injected under the skin in the desired areas, causing the fat to swell and become higher in liquid content. Additionally, the saline solution numbs the area, removing the necessity of a general anesthetic, although some additional pain-killing or numbing drugs may be provided. The softened fat is then suctioned out through minimally invasive syringes or metal suction tubes called cannulae.