Plastic Surgeon Develops Liposuction Lite

Created on 19th September 2009

A recent survey showed that liposuction is Britain's most popular plastic surgery procedure with around 83 per cent of people having considered it at some point. However, the invasive nature of the operation puts some people off having liposuction.

But an exciting new cosmetic surgery procedure could pave the way for men and women who want to lose their muffin tops without having full invasive surgery.

The pioneering operation has been developed by cosmetic surgeon Patrick Mallucci. His new method is called 'superficial' liposuction - or liposuction lite - and has been designed to remove stubborn fat which won't shift through diet and exercise.

This new technique is similar to traditional liposuction but it's performed only on the superficial layer of fat - hence the name. Consequently the risk of trauma, bleeding and bruising is greatly reduced.

Until now, plastic surgeons have used liposuction to carry out the removal of deep fat pads under the skin through skin incisions. Popular areas for treatment are those that - particularly on women - retain fat that can be very hard to remove with diet and exercise. For example the inner and outer thighs, the stomach, under the chin and the tops of the hips, which can lead to rolls of fat poking out over the top of jeans and trousers - commonly known as 'muffin tops'

Despite the popularity of liposuction some people are wary of it as it can lead to bruising and swelling which can take a while to go down. Negative stories about liposuction - such as that of the recent death of Denise Hendry - also deter some people. But this new method claims to greatly decrease these risks.

Mr Mallucci, who is a consultant at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London, said: 'Muffin tops show how fat we are getting and this means there is an increasing call for liposuction in different parts of the body.

'Thanks to this new procedure we can now remove this unsightly layer.'

The new cosmetic surgery technique was revealed in Cardiff at the British Association for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons annual conference.