What is shrink wrap liposuction?

The shrink wrap effect is more a result of intrinsic skin properties of the patient than of liposuction.

Shrink wrap liposuction is not a new form of liposuction. It’s traditional tumescent liposuction that’s performed from front to back to give you 360-degrees of fat removal. It’s called “shrink wrap” because when the skin tightens after the fat removal, it “shrinks” the overall look of the physique all the way around. This kind of approach either requires that you have relatively young, good-quality skin that can accommodate the change in volume, or that you combine the liposuction with a skin-tightening therapy, such as ThermiTight or Ultherapy. You may also want to consider noninvasive fat-elimination techniques, such as Vanquish, CoolSculpting and ThermiTight alone. Please consult a board-certified dermatologist who can take a look at your physique and skin to determine if you’d be a candidate for shrink-wrap liposuction. 

Thank you for your question. Shrink wrap liposuction, not exactly a medical term, refers to liposuction done 360 degrees. This allows for maximum skin tightening in the hands of a body sculpting surgeon. Spot, localized liposuction done in different areas and are not connected, will give less than optimum results in the right surgical candidate.See a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

Another name for circumferential or near circumferential liposuction of thighs or another body part to reduce size, girth, thickness, followed by application of compression garment to facilitate even distribution of residual and remaining tissue.

As others have stated, shrink wrap liposuction is a term to describe 360 degree or circumferential liposuction where the abdomen, back and sides are liposuctioned with the goal to create an all-around reduction in the fat layer. When the skin hopefully retracts, it is akin to shrink wrapping an object. The reality is the effectiveness of this approach will depend on some factors:1. The patient's weight and BMI - this is not a weight loss surgery2. The patient's skin elasticity and the presence of creases and thick rolls3. The patient's age and overall health4. The techniques used in liposuction, as some devices may (may being the operative word) facilitate better skin retraction. You should be evaluated by one or more board-certified plastic surgeons in the office for a consultation to assess you for candidacy for liposuction vs. other procedures depending on your fat distribution and skin elasticity.

Shrink wrap liposuction is sometimes used to describe when someone does liposuction of the front, sides, and back of the body so that their skin can tighten back up all around the body as it heals. It is best to have an in-office examination to determine if having liposuction around your entire body is necessary to achieve your goals. Hope this helps! Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery@drjohnsonlee