Liposculpture, also called high-definition liposuction or high-def lipo, is a surgical body contouring procedure that strategically removes fat, in specific zones and at varying depths, to create the appearance of muscle definition.Â
âTypical areas of the body for liposculpture include the abdominal muscles, to create a six-pack, the chin and neck, to sharpen the jawline, the upper arms, to produce more definition, and the waist, lower back, and thighs, to enhance the appearance of the buttocks,â says Dr. Jon Ver Halen, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Colleyville, Texas.Â
High-def liposculpture enhances muscle definition by taking more fat from areas with natural shadows and leaving a slightly thicker layer of fat over muscular areas, to create contrast and make the muscles look more prominent.
âWhereas traditional liposuction removes small to medium volumes of fat to give a reduced appearance, it typically doesnât create shape or contour and isn't able to remove large volumes of fat to enhance muscular contouring and highlight curves and shaping to give enhanced results,â explains Dr. Jason Emer, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in West Hollywood. âLiposculpture defines the underlying bony architecture and muscular definition, making the procedure more artistry than simply a fat removal technique.â
A liposculpture procedure that creates six pack abs is often called abdominal etching or ab sculpting surgery. To fully sculpt the torso, excess fat is often also removed on the flanks (aka the love handles) and back, a procedure called 360 liposculpture.
Liposculpture can be performed using traditional tumescent liposuction, but most surgeons who specialize in the procedure are turning to energy-assisted liposuction techniques like power-assisted liposuction (PAL) or VASER liposuction, that help break up the fat. This makes it easier to sculpt and remove, with less trauma to the surrounding tissue. âGiven that these new technologies have transformed the ability of the provider to become more of a âsculptorâ versus a doctor removing fat, larger procedures involving multiple areas can be performed at one time,â says Dr. Emer. These longer, more extensive procedures can create more dramatic results, but they require general anesthesia or IV sedation, which can significantly increase costs. Â
Like other surgeons who specialize in liposculpture, Dr. Emer frequently pairs the procedure with radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening treatments, such as Renuvion and BodyTite, which he says can produce superior results.
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