Liposuction and liposculpture in Medellín

Lipo, liposuction, lipoaspiration, and liposculpture are all names people use when they search for this same surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) describes it as surgery that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body, and it's used to shape the contour. In Colombia, people often say lipoescultura, or liposculpture, to stress that the goal is to shape, not just to remove fat. When the abdomen and the flanks are treated together, front and back, it's often called lipo 360. And if the fat is moved to the buttocks, that's a Brazilian butt lift (BBL).

According to the ASPS, lipo is done through small incisions. First, a diluted local anesthetic is infused, which helps reduce bleeding. Then, with a thin cannula, the fat is loosened and suctioned out. What changes from one technique to another is how that fat is loosened:

• Traditional, with the cannula alone.
• Power-assisted, with a vibrating cannula.
• Ultrasound-assisted. VASER is a newer version of this technique.
• Laser-assisted.
• Water-assisted, with a pressurized stream of saline solution.

The right technique isn't the one that sounds most modern. Which one makes sense for you, and which one your surgeon uses, is something you'll discuss at your in-person consultation.

Lipo removes fat, but it doesn't solve everything. The ASPS explains that it doesn't improve loose skin and isn't an effective treatment for cellulite.

• If you have extra skin on your abdomen, or diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles): a tummy tuck, which is often combined with lipo.
• If skin hangs on your arms or thighs: an arm lift or a thigh lift.
• If it's one specific area and you'd rather not have surgery: fat freezing with cryolipolysis (in Spanish).
• If you want to lose weight: medical weight loss.

At your consultation, we'll tell you what makes sense for you.

The ASPS describes the ideal candidate as an adult close to their ideal weight, with firm, elastic skin and good health, who doesn't smoke or vape and has clear goals. It's not for you, or not right now, if:

• What you're looking for is weight loss.
• Your weight goes up and down, or it's far from your healthy weight.
• What bothers you most is loose skin: lipo doesn't tighten it.
• You have a disease or condition that makes healing harder.
• You smoke or vape and won't quit before surgery.

Your surgeon makes the final call at your consultation, with your pre-op test results.

Every surgery carries risks, and lipo does too. The ASPS lists these, among others:

• Anesthesia risks.
• Bruising, swelling, or fluid buildup.
• Infection or poor wound healing.
• Irregular contours or asymmetry.
• Rippling or loose skin, and worsening cellulite.
• Changes in skin sensation, which may persist.
• Injury to nerves, blood vessels, muscles, or organs.
• Deep vein thrombosis and heart or lung complications.
• Needing revision surgery.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviewed deaths of US citizens after cosmetic surgery abroad and identified obesity and having several procedures in the same surgery as risk factors for embolism. That's why we don't operate unless your pre-op tests are in order, and your surgeon decides what gets combined. Before you decide, we go over each risk with you, and you sign an informed consent form.

Before surgery, you get your pre-op tests, stop smoking or vaping, and go over your medications with your specialist: the ASPS warns that aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements can increase bleeding. We tell you what to stop taking, how to fast, and what to bring. An adult takes you home and stays with you the first night.

Afterward, you wear a compression garment, which the ASPS says helps control swelling, and in the first week you take short walks and have lymphatic drainage massages. You get clear care instructions and follow-up visits until you're discharged. Your surgeon decides when you're cleared to fly after lipo.