LipoSoft

Liposoft is a significant advancement over traditional Liposuction techniques. It greatly improves patient safety and comfort and offers the surgeon significantly greater control over the result.

Liposoft uses a fine jet of water to gently dislodge fat globules for suction. The smooth pulsed water beam is adequate to loosen fat for suction, although soft enough to spare blood vessels and nerves, significantly improving the safety of patients. By reducing the damage to tissue structures, recovery times are also shortened, with minimal bruising and discomfort for the patient.

With Liposoft, the need to swell the treatment area with fluid is avoided, reducing patient discomfort and minimising the post-op drainage that happens with traditional forms of LipoSoft.

Furthermore, as the treatment area is not deformed by the swelling, the surgeon can check the natural form and contours of the body and assess the result during the procedure. Working with this level of precision, even the slightest unevenness can be detected, mainly reducing the correction procedures that are often required after traditional techniques.

The LipoSoft Procedure

Liposoft uses a specially-shaped cannula to create a fine, fan-shaped jet of water in front of the cannula.

The pressure of the water jet gently pushes nerves and blood vessels out of the path of the cannula, minimising mechanical trauma in the treatment area.

The Liposoft procedure is performed in two phases.

Phase 1: LipoSoft; Infiltration

Using the water-jet, the treatment area is infiltrated with a saline solution containing adrenaline (to minimise bleeding) and local anaesthetic. In this phase, the jet is used mainly to distribute the medications.

The volume of fluid injected is small and produces only moderate swelling of the treatment area. This makes the procedure comfortable for the patient and avoids the volume and medication loading on the patient of other techniques.

The water jet permits significantly quicker distribution and penetration of the fluid in the target area, reducing the overall procedure time and the surgeon’s effort. The infiltration phase usually takes 10-15 minutes to complete, depending on the size of the area to be treated.

Phase 2: LipoSoft; Contouring

The shape and pressure of the water-jet gently dislodge the fat for suction precisely, offering the surgeon fine control of the contouring process.

After the infiltration phase is complete, the water-jet separates the fat for suctioning.

As the fluid does not distort the treatment area, the surgeon is better able to evaluate body contours throughout the procedure. This allows for precise ‘what-you-see-is-what-you-get’ contouring and, therefore, reduces the requirement for corrective procedures.

The water is applied directly to the treatment area and then removed with the fat. This reduces the medication load on the patient and additionally permits the safe treatment of multiple zones within a single procedure.

The suction process resumes until the desired shape is accomplished. During the process, blood vessels and nerves are displaced by the jet, protecting them from being torn by the cannula.

More than 90% of the injected fluid is removed with the fat, leaving insignificant amounts of medication behind and reducing the post-op drainage time to less than 24 hours.

While Liposoft can be completed under general anaesthesia and IV sedation, it is tailored for (and most commonly practised under) local anaesthesia.

Having the patient conscious during the LipoSoft procedure offers numerous benefits:

• it allows the patient to change position during the procedure, giving the surgeon optimal access to the treatment area;
• it allows the surgeon to progressively check the results with the patient in a standing position;
• the patient can give direct feedback should pain or complications arise;
• risks associated with general anaesthesia are avoided.

Is LipoSoft for me?

LipoSoft is well suited for women and men who are of relatively normal weight but have fat deposits that make some parts of the body appear disproportionate. These localised fat deposits may be inherited and may be resistant to dieting or exercise. LipoSoft is often the only way to eliminate them.
Groups of fatty tissue in any of the following areas may make you a good candidate for LipoSoft:

• Abdomen
• Buttocks
• Outer thighs
• Inner thighs
• Upper arms
• The waist area
• Chin and neck
• Breast enlargement in men

It is important to stress that this technique is in no way a substitute for weight loss or exercise.

LipoSoft is popular among men, predominantly for eliminating bulging fat around the waist. It is also very successful in a condition called gynecomastia in which the male breasts are enlarged.

Though it is possible to have LipoSoft at almost any age, the best results will be obtained if your skin still has sufficient elasticity to achieve a smooth contour following fat removal. In some older patients with inelastic skin, it may not redrape completely and skin excision may be required.

The initial LipoSoft consultation

During the initial consultation, you will be asked to point out exactly what you would like to see improved. This will help your plastic surgeon understand your expectations and determine whether they can be realistically achieved.

You will be asked about your medical history, including previous operations, past and present medical conditions and current medications. To deliver you with the best information and safest options, you must give your surgeon your complete information. The medical conditions that may increase the risks of surgery include high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes and bleeding problems.

Your plastic surgeon may ask you about the effects of prior weight loss on the appearance of those areas that you have indicated need contouring. He will also assess your skin’s elasticity and evaluate whether any skin needs to be removed.
Generally, photographs will be taken for preoperative planning and for documentation.

Preparation for LipoSoft

Smokers need to stop smoking 3 weeks before surgery. Aspirin and some anti-inflammatory drugs used for the treatment of arthritis can cause increased bleeding. Therefore, you should avoid taking these medications for 2 weeks before surgery. LipoSoft is typically performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, make sure you have someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you at least the first night following surgery.

In most cases, the operation is performed under intravenous sedation or local anaesthetic. It is, therefore, very important that you do not have anything to eat or drink at least 6 hours before your procedure to make it safe.

The day of your LipoSoft procedure

Your procedure is usually performed in a day surgery facility.

Your surgeon will mark out the areas to be treated. Photographs will be taken.

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure.

Various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

Your Procedure

Due to individual factors, not everyone will develop the same results from LipoSoft.

The surgeon will have determined the site of incisions through which he can best perform the LipoSoft. Small incisions, approximately 1 cm long, are then made, and the suction cannulas are introduced through them.

When the surgeon has judged that the appropriate amount of fat has been removed, the incisions are sutured.

How long does the LipoSoft procedure take?

The operation takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on the extent of each procedure.

Recuperation and Recovery

Once surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be monitored.

There may be some discomfort for several days after the operation although this is normally not severe. Oral pain medications are generally sufficient to control the discomfort. You will be advised to rest for 24 to 72 hours. It is also likely to experience some numbness in the skin overlying the treated area but this generally diminishes after some months.

You will be asked to get out of bed as soon as possible after the operation. It is also important, not to take aspirin or to smoke for 3 weeks after the procedure.

A supportive dressing is essential after surgery. A commercially made support garment is worn immediately after surgery and for approximately four weeks after surgery.

It is important to understand that the amount of time it takes for recovery differs greatly among individuals.

You may have stitches along the incisions, which will be removed at 4 to 7 days. Bruising and swelling can last up to 2 weeks or longer in some cases.

Results of your LipoSoft procedure

As the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least 6 weeks to get an accurate picture of the results of your operation. Incisions will fade over a number of months.

When can I resume my regular activities?

Walking and normal daily activities should be possible very soon after surgery. You should be able to return to work in just a few days. In most cases, you should be able to resume most of your normal activities within several weeks.

Risks and Possible Complications

Luckily, significant complications from LipoSoft are rare. However, anyone considering surgery should know the benefits and risks. The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your plastic surgeon.

• Irregular contours are the most common problem seen after LipoSoft.
• Postoperative bleeding, which can result in a collection of blood, is rare but may necessitate a return to the operating theatre for evacuation.
• Blood clots in the leg veins are an uncommon complication of this surgery but may be severe because of the potential risk of blood clots travelling to the lungs.
• An area of skin loss is a highly uncommon complication however has been reported in the surgical literature.
• Infection can also happen; depending on the severity, antibiotics by mouth or intravenously may be prescribed.
• Skin burns can be seen using ultrasound probes although these are very rare with modern instrumentation.

Following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your surgery, can help reduce certain risks.

Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.

Keeping in touch

If you have any questions about LipoSoft, be sure they are answered in advance. Well-meaning friends are not a suitable source of information. Find out everything before proceeding with the operation—a well-informed patient is a happy one.

Following surgery, you will return to your plastic surgeon’s office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, when your progress will be evaluated. After the immediate postoperative follow-up is complete, many surgeons encourage their patients to come back for periodic check-ups to observe and discuss the long-term results of surgery.

Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or you would like more information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon.