Difference Between Liposuction and Liposculpture - Dr Cyr Skip to main content

Liposculpture is a recent cosmetic surgery innovation. Liposculpture, as the name implies, is a kind of liposuction. Liposculpture, which removes fat from specific regions of the body, involves more than just fat removal. OrthoSculpt is Dr. Cyr’s specific form of Liposculpture, employing high-definition techniques which is three times the work of traditional liposuction. It requires the skillful eye and steady hand of an orthopedic surgeon to ensure anatomical accuracy and surgical safety. Dr. Cyr is the world’s first orthopedic surgeon who is also fellowship-trained in cosmetic surgery with the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons.

Liposuction in several forms is offered by a variety of providers from Dermatologists, General Surgeons to Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeons. Liposculpture is offered exclusively by Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeons.

So, What is the Difference Between Liposuction and Liposculpture?

There are three distinct differences:

  1. Liposculpture reshapes the body by removing fat from where it is undesirable and placing it in the “right places” to shape the overall body contour
  2. Liposculpture allows artistic etching of areas where natural muscle definition is desirable, like the abdomen, pectorals, legs, or arms
  3. Several types of liposuction are done for limited fat removal and address only the deep layer of fat. Liposculpture addresses both the deep and superficial layers of fat, making it more aesthetically appealing.

Before During and After

Before having liposculpture procedures, a cosmetic surgeon must first do a thorough examination and run blood tests to ensure the patient is not anemic. The ideal patient is in good health and at least 25 pounds within their ideal body weight. They should have some fat deposits for harvesting and have a healthy relationship to diet and exercise.

During a liposculpture operation, fat deposits are removed from the body using very thin metal tubes called cannulas inserted through tiny incisions. A sterile medical suction pump is used to remove fat by producing a negative pressure zone.

Once the fat is extracted, it can be transferred to another body area that needs plumping or shaping, such as the face, breasts, hip dips, or buttocks. This is also known as fat transfer or lipo-filling. The procedure is outpatient, using IV sedation or general anesthetic and sometimes long-acting pain medication to enhance comfort.

Recovery from Liposculpture

The liposculpture recovery period and procedure are pretty similar to liposuction. Patients will typically require roughly 3-5 days off from work, and most physical activity should be limited to at least two weeks. Swelling, bruising, and pain are to be expected, and they can last for four to six weeks (and sometimes longer), depending on the amount of sculpting done, the surgeon’s skill, and the technology used.

There are significant differences in the results obtained from different lipo techniques. Many surgeons perform traditional liposuction or laser-assisted liposuction, which is more likely to result in gouges, rippling, and uneven skin contours. It also causes more trauma to the tissues and fat, making it less effective for transfer.

VASER ultra-sound-assisted lipo, which is used for liposculpture, is an additional procedure that takes more time but causes minimal damage, resulting in less bruising, pain, and downtime. It also allows the surgeon to harvest superficial fat and results in a smoother contour of the skin because it liquefies the fat before removing it.  It preserves the fat cells since they are not removed traumatically, making them more viable for transfer to other parts of the body. Traditional liposuction can result in more injury because the fat is removed mechanically, without liquefying it first.  It requires a more aggressive, mechanical removal, instead of careful suctioning of liquefied fat.

Patients will also need to wear a postoperative compression garment for six to twelve weeks to assist reduce swelling and discomfort and to help avoid the formation of seromas. A seroma is a collection of lymph fluid within a bodily cavity that can occur when liposuction removes fat, leaving empty “tunnels” in the body. They are typically annoying, but they do not pose any serious medical risks. A compression garment will force open cavities together, preventing fluid from becoming trapped and seromas from forming. The garment is also essential to help with the shaping effect of any lipo surgery, especially liposculpture.

Is Liposculpture for Weight Loss?

No. Liposculpture is not a weight reduction surgery. Because fat is fluffy and does not weigh much, eliminating the maximum safely permitted quantity results in only a few lost pounds. On the other hand, patients will notice that their bodies are more sculpted, and their proportions are better, provided the surgeon has the skill and talent this artistic procedure requires. Patients can expect to look better in their clothes, and bathing attire and may even drop a few clothing sizes.

Liposculpting is more complex and delicate than liposuction in general since the proportionate size and contour of the body must be addressed for the result to be enhanced. It can be challenging to perform, and not all doctors want to or can learn liposculpture. The surgeon should have a combination of aesthetic vision, stamina, and great surgical technique. It also requires special equipment and a lot of patience, as it takes longer than traditional liposuction. Taking away the most fat does not always produce the most aesthetically pleasing outcomes unless done correctly.

What’s Next?

Doctor Cyr is credited for inventing the OrthoSculpt technique. Because of his expertise as an orthopedic spine surgeon, he has a unique understanding of musculature and anatomy and can take liposculpture to a new level of cosmetic excellence and patient safety. His extensive experience adds a level of vision not all surgeons possess.

A consultation is the best way for you and a surgeon to evaluate which body sculpting treatment will give you the results you envision.

Fill out our contact form here to take your next step or better yet, call today! 1 (833) CHISEL U | (833-244-7358).