Does anatomic liposuction surgery offer an effective six-pack shortcut?

Posted: 29/05/2014

Penningtons Manches’ cosmetic surgery specialists have been offering their thoughts each week on lesser known cosmetic procedures which are growing in popularity. This week abdominal liposuction surgery, which men are undergoing to give the impression of having a six-pack stomach, comes under the spotlight.

VASER 4D high definition liposuction allows the surgeon to remove fat from the patient to give the illusion of a six-pack by removing unwanted fat from between the muscles to create definition of the abdominal muscles.

It is described as a minimally invasive procedure that specifically targets and removes unwanted body fat. The VASER hi def liposculpturing system uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology designed to reshape the body. In contrast to traditional liposuction techniques, VASER technology is able to differentiate targeted fat from other important tissues such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. VASER technology breaks up the patient’s fat while preserving these other important tissues to promote smooth results and rapid healing.

Prior to the surgery, the area to be treated is injected with a tumescent solution. This is a special saline solution mixed with anaesthetic that helps to numb the site and shrink the blood vessels to minimise blood loss and reduce bruising. The VASER liposuction procedure then uses ultrasound high frequency vibrations, through the insertion of small probes, to break up the patient’s fatty tissue. The sound energy (similar to that used for cataract removal from the eye) is used to fragment and emulsify the patient’s fatty tissue into the tumescent fluid, which is then. removed through a gentle suction process designed to minimise damage to the surrounding tissues. Then the muscle structures are chiselled out to create the appearance of a six-pack.

Says Alison Johnson, senior associate in Penningtons Manches’ clinical negligence team: “According to The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)’ statistics, male patients accounted for 10% of all cosmetic surgery procedures carried out in the UK in 2012 and more recent statistics show a further 7% rise in the number of men undergoing surgery. This probably reflects the pressure men may feel to look attractive, appear youthful and boost career prospects. For this reason, six-pack abdominal surgery may prove tempting and could be very successful if carried out well in the right hands. However all surgery carries risk and men should be aware of the likelihood of swelling, bruising and pain after the procedure and not be afraid or embarrassed to report any complications promptly.”

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