If you're considering liposuction, you may have been doing your research on the types of results you are looking for and the types of liposuction that are available. One option that has been gaining popularity on social media is aggressive liposuction or what some have coined as "South American" liposuction. But what exactly is it, and how does it differ from less aggressive liposuction? In this blog, we'll explore the truth about aggressive liposuction and what you need to know before deciding if it is right for you.

What is Aggressive Liposuction? 

Liposuction is the surgical removal of fat from the layer of fat that we all have between our skin and muscles.  It is done using a minimally invasive technique with small incisions.  It can be performed in multiple areas of the body depending on your goals.   Aggressive liposuction aims to remove as much fat as possible from the area between the skin and the underlying muscles. 

One of the main benefits of aggressive liposuction is that it typically results in more dramatic changes to your body shape than traditional liposuction. This is because more fat can be removed during the procedure, allowing for greater contouring and shaping of problem areas. 

Another term which may be used for aggressive liposuction is “high definition” liposuction.  This can mean different things to different surgeons, but is usually liposuction combined with liposculpture to remove fat in some areas and leave fat in others.  For example, this can give the appearance of “six pack abs” without the time in the gym. 

Surgeons may use multiple different techniques or devices (such as VASER lipo, SAFE lipo, laser lipo, etc) to achieve an aggressive-type liposuction result, but the device does not matter as much as the person performing the procedure.   

While liposuction can be an effective way to fine-tune one's figure by eliminating stubborn fatty deposits that diet and exercise have failed to address, opting for an aggressive approach may not always yield the desired results.  As our skin ages, it loses elasticity and becomes looser.  This, combined with the thin fat layer left after aggressive liposuction, can lead to an uneven, bumpy skin appearance in the areas which underwent aggressive liposuction. 

So yes there are drastic results, however the trade off is uneven skin down the road.

Risks and Complications of Aggressive Liposuction Explained 

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with aggressive liposuction.  

• Excessive bleeding or bruising can occur due to the large volume of fat being removed.  
• Nerve damage can also result from the manipulation of tissue during surgery.  
• Skin irregularities or asymmetry may occur if too much fat is removed from one area or if not enough is taken out from another area.  
• Infection can occur as a result of any type of surgery but steps are taken by surgeons to minimize this possibility. 

My Liposuction Approach 

It's important to have realistic expectations and understand that even with more dramatic results possible, there are still limitations based on individual anatomy.
 

The first thing I take into consideration is the patient's natural bodily proportions. It's important to maintain the curves that you want to keep and sculpt away the ones that you don’t.
 

The second thing I take into consideration is age and skin integrity. When I remove fat with liposuction, your skin has to shrink down to the your new size.  Younger skin without stretch marks does a much better job of this, so liposuction under tight skin with good quality can be more aggressive without leaving extra skin.  Liposuction underneath older skin is absolutely still possible, it just has to be done with the knowledge of how the skin will likely change. 

Technique wise, I prefer to make a real contour difference but still leave a small layer of fat beneath the skin, which helps your results to look better for much longer.  It also allows any small irregularities from the procedure to be softened.  

At the end of the day, I want my patients to know I want their surgery results to age well and look natural while honoring their desired result.

Conclusion 

Liposuction is not a suitable method for removing very excessive amounts of fat from the body due to safety concerns and its usual primary goal as a body contouring procedure. The most successful outcomes are achieved by surgeons who take a gradual and systematic approach to recontouring the body to enhance definition in the treated area.
 

If you're considering going the liposuction route it's essential to speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a deep understanding of anatomy and knows how to reduce complications and risks.  

If you'd like to schedule a plastic surgery consultation please reach out to us at 713.275.9908 or schedule online.