21-May-2008
World Congress of Dermatology

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Home > Liposuction > Liposuction Introduction to Tumescent Liposculpture

Liposuction Introduction to Tumescent Liposculpture

Liposculpture - an Introduction

Liposuction or, more specifically, tumescent liposculture, is a technique to safely and permanently remove excess fat cells from targeted parts of the body.

Every year, New Zealanders spend millions of dollars on dieting, exercise and attempts to attain slimmer, more attractive figures.

The truth of the matter is that despite careful dieting and sweating it out in a gym, few people genetically have a perfect shape.

Most of us have a tendency to accumulate pockets of fat in undesirable places. In women, this is usually the outer thighs (saddle bags), bottom (“banana roll”), or tummy. Men, on the other hand, often have spare flesh on the hips (love handles) and abdomen.

Our distribution of fat is determined by puberty. After this time no further fat cells are produced unless there is massive weight gain.

As we gain weight, the fat cells expand and when we lose weight, the fat cells contract. However, the proportion of fat in one area compared to another does not change.

A woman who loses too much weight to make her legs look slimmer may find her breasts disappear and her face looks haggard and drawn. Paradoxically in some ladies who diet to lose weight, while they lose fat on their upper body they put weight on their lower body. This produces the so-called “half and half figure”, which gives rise to normal upper body, but heavy lower body.

The most successful way to alter our shape is to selectively remove fat from an unwanted spot such as thighs or tummy. Once removed, these fat cells cannot regrow or be replaced. Liposculpture is the only method of achieving this without producing obvious scars.

Tumescent Liposculpture With Micro Cannulas

Liposculpture was first developed in the late 1970s to remove undesired body fat. The technique was first developed in France. In the early 1980s a group of dermatologic surgeons from America visited the originators of this technique in France. One of these was Professor Richard Glogau at the University of California in San Francisco. In 1995 and 1996 Dr Paul Salmon studied and worked in Dr Glogau’s office for a year, learning and perfecting this technique. The original first developments of liposculpture were crude and dangerous. Break-throughs were developed in the 1990s where development of a special dilute local anaesthetic enabled removal of even large amounts of fat without the need for hospitalisation, general anaesthesia or blood transfusions. Subsequently further refinements with the use of micro cannulas further refined this exciting technique. Dr Salmon is New Zealand’s most experienced practitioner of tumescent liposculpture totally under local anaesthetic and without sedation using micro cannulas. This work was featured on the “Inside New Zealand” Documentary on TV3 in 1999.

Patient Testimonials

Hine aged 42 yrs.

My stomach had bothered me my entire life, which was exacerbated by a life saving surgery. Over time I became aware that my shape could be changed by liposculpture and that liposculpture was a safe procedure particularly when performed under local (tumescent) anaesthetic.

I thoroughly researched the market including Australia for the best physician and all roads led to Dr Paul Salmon. He was renowned as being the best and having the most experience with tumescent liposculpture – which I am convinced, is the superior technique by far!

I felt very little during the procedure –it was like I wasn’t there even though I had only had two tiny tablets. I just wasn’t kind of there so it was o.k.

After the operation I felt remarkably well.

I am a self employed professional woman so went back to work the next day.

I was so excited even though I had a garment on. Instantly my clothes felt looser.

I was so excited having lived with this problem all my life it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I don’t actually recall any pain at all.

I was a little messy as the tumescent drained for 3 days –but I am an ex nurse so it didn’t really bother me.

My excitement outweighed any negatives by far. Actually I don’t remember any negatives!

After the initial recovery period the response from friends and family was that I was looking great – no one actually noticed what I had had done – and I told no one – not even my intimate partner.

The procedure enabled me to finally wear the clothes I had always wanted to and not be dictated to by my genetic shape.

It is 3 years in January since my procedure and the fat has stayed off. In fact the procedure so inspired me that I have worked on my abdominal muscles and now have the abdomen I want as well! I can even wear a bikini!

The liposculpture has also completely relieved the chronic back pain I had suffered all my adult life. It is amazing.

Dr Paul Salmon is sensitive, encouraging and thoroughly professional.

The whole experience was very, very pleasant.

Irene

Although I run 12 kilometres every day I was unable to shift the top layer of fat that had developed on my abdomen following pregnancy.

I felt I could not lose any more weight from the rest of my body – especially my face.

I was happy with my weight – I just didn’t like the shape of my abdomen.

The procedure was a little bit more physical than I had thought, however I was given adequate pain relief and medication throughout.

I suppose I had no real expectation of what would actually happen even though liposculpture by tumescent had been thoroughly explained to me. I had nothing to compare it to in my life experiences.

I was conscious and comfortable enough throughout the procedure. I was surprised at the amount of bruising after my first procedure (yes I have been back twice) – but astonished with how little bruising with my second procedure. There was no pain however on either occasion. I did have funny numbness for quite some time, maybe for about 6 months.

Nobody knew about the procedure except my husband and my best friend. They both thought the procedure had given me a wonderful result – and I agree – especially after the second site! I look stunning in all my clothes – and without!

When I go shopping for clothes it is marvellous. I can wear the clothes that I want to off the rack, without unsightly pockets of fat being in the way.

I always used to wear loose tops. Now I wear close fitting ones and feel good in them.

And my friends say I look hot! One friend in particular was blown away. She lives out of town and had not seen me and thought I looked fantastic.