Liposuction Vs. Liposculpture: What’s The Difference?

With the accessibility of plastic surgery, and the rise in preferred procedures… the way the world looks at beauty has changed and consistently changes drastically. Although the standards of beauty change, and what’s considered “acceptable” constantly evolves, more and more people now have the ability to enhance their appearance. Mostly to change the aspects about their appearance that they don’t like. 

Based on studies in 2015. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons calculated “15.9 million surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States”. 

The majority of this 15.9 figure, counts for minimally-invasive procedures at 14.2 million. Numbers this high reflect the popular opinion of obsessing over society’s standards of beauty. Defying age being the most popular. As one would imagine. The top five procedures in the minimally-invasive category were chemical peels, laser hair removals, Botox, microdermabrasion, and tissue fillers. 

The other 1.7 million remaining, are the total amounts for surgical procedures that people chose. These surgical procedures were mainly to enhance their physical appearance. And these procedures in the other half of this category are liposuction, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, and tummy tucks. In no particular order.

How Do They Compare?

Considering removing excess body weight or looking to tighten loose skin? There are a multitude of options for fat loss and body sculpting. But the two cosmetic procedures that are not only popular but similar are liposuction and liposculpture. Similar but unique in differences. 

If you’re looking to make a decision to look towards your body’s future, it’s good to know the facts so when it comes down to it, it’s the right one for your body. 

In 2015, liposuction was performed a total of 222,051 times. 5% higher than the year before. 

Liposuction is a type of surgery that breaks up fat and sucks or removes fat from the body. Mostly popular on the buttocks, chin, calves, back, arms, thighs and the abdomen.
Although the words liposuction and liposculpture are often used back and forth in the medical community, they are considered relatively the same but not exact. Most of the difference sits around the amount of fat that is being removed from a specific area of the body. 

Liposuction is commonly used for those patients that want to remove a higher amount of fat on the body. Large areas such as the belly or love handles. With liposuction, large pockets of fat are removed from the body in bulk. Which gives the body a better contour in a specifically large area. The problem becomes reduced significantly. 

For liposculpture, the contour is already in place. Liposculpture helps define an already contoured part of the body even further. 

What does that mean exactly?

A doctor may give an athlete perfect abs by carving out and sculpting the already existing muscle. This will give more definition and shape. It doesn’t necessarily remove fat in bulk but uses the remaining fat to shape and define an area of the body. Which gives that area a more defined and flawless appearance. 

Which means these procedures can work together for added benefits. Some patients may undergo liposuction for a specific area to remove a majority of fat. And after, use the remaining fat to sculpt the body area further.
For additional beauty enhancement, some patients would combine liposuction and liposculpture with a tummy tuck or breast lift. This gives the patient full control in their desired outcome. More effectively, efficiently and in full complement of each procedure. 

The Main Differences: liposuction vs. liposculpture

Liposuction is used to remove excess fat deposits in the body. Mostly used on areas of the body like the buttocks, abdomen, thighs, upper arms, hips and lower legs. This procedure is mostly performed under a general anesthesia. 

For liposculpture, it’s considered a more advanced cosmetic surgery. This is popularly used on the neck and chin. With the same goal in mind: remove excess fat from the body. One of the main differences is the way the procedure is performed. In liposculpture, a single laser fiber is used. Whereas a syringe or suction pump is used for fat removal. In liposculpture, the fat melts away and not sucked out. It also helps tighten the skin, and aids in sagginess that can happen with a liposuction procedure. 

Similarities: liposuction vs. liposculpture

Although both procedures yield the same end result, and performed differently, it is known in the medical industry that liposculpture is a derivative of liposuction. And although they have distinct differences, the procedures and their titles are used interchangeably. Removing fat cells in bulk is the main goal, and liposculpture was simply a procedure that is improving upon the invention of liposculpture. The goal is to focus on removing fat, similarly, but with more of a goal of sculpting and shaping the body as a whole. 

Either way, body aesthetics are the goal for both liposuction and liposculpture. When it comes to removing fat, removing it in bulk doesn’t always prove to have the best aesthetic or sculpting results. Even though it sounds effective. 

Which Procedure is Best?

So, liposuction vs. liposculpture – which is best? Both procedures have benefits with similar risks and outcomes for every patient. Discuss your particular situation and desired results with your healthcare provider to figure out a plan of action best suited for you and your needs. Here are a few things to know about the procedures and how they differ.

Liposculpture keeps bleeding and swelling pretty low by using a local anesthetic. Liposuction also uses general anesthesia but that anesthesia carries risks of its own along the way. Liposuction is known to remove more fat than liposculpture. This makes a great option for certain parts of the body that tend to be problematic for the general public. Like the stomach. Liposculpture can shape larger amounts of fat and can be more precise in aesthetic goals but is less than in weight loss results. 

Depending on your goals and desired aesthetic, will depend on which procedure works best for you. 

Effective Ways to Eliminate Fat

Best fat eliminator – liposuction vs liposculpture? In the U.S. the CDC states that more than 36% of adults are obese. This level of obesity can be a detriment to anyone’s long-term health. Or be a matter of life and death. 

As the public becomes more aware, they’re also becoming more health conscious and trying to maintain their weight properly. This is normally the birth of many diet fads and fitness fads that circulate the media year to year. Unfortunately, it’s hard to determine which miracle diets, detox, juices, and sales pitches are gimmicks and which have some actual truth behind the fad. Which makes helping people lose weight, very difficult. 

For Losing Weight

Both procedures are used to treat obesity and weight loss. There are also reasons where liposuction is used to help a person with health issues. However, the majority tends to be mainly cosmetic. Meaning that the procedure normally has an end goal for the best desired results and maximal aesthetic results. Not so much removing fat, but the appearance of the body once the fat is removed. 

Typically when fat cells are removed, they do not return. However, it’s up to the patient to maintain their weight because with the remaining fat cells, they are known to also increase in size if diet and exercise is not a priority. And if the remaining fat cells increase and size and return the body to a heavier state, this time, the shape of their body would be different. 

What Makes You a Good Candidate?

Which are you the best candidate for – liposuction vs. liposculpture. ?

This doesn’t mean everyone is a great candidate for liposuction or liposculpture. Patients who are compromised, whether it be blood flow or immune system issues, are advised against these procedures. And those who have tight, elastic skin are recommended, best for these procedures. 

If you are dedicated to a healthy, responsible lifestyle then these surgical cosmetic procedures may benefit you the most. Talk to your doctor about what your options are and discuss which treatment would be best for your preferred results. 

It’s important to know that liposculpture is not a procedure for weight loss. Because fat does not weigh much, removing the maximum amount allowed may only result in a few pounds. However, for contoured and desired proportions, the improvement is worth it. Even new clothing sizes. 

Liposculpture is way more complicated because the body as a whole has to be considered and improved but gives the body overall dimension and shape. The surgeon needs to be an artist, and have an eye for proportions of the body and have excellent surgical technique. As opposed to removing maximum fat which doesn’t take much creativity and complication for basic results. 

Learn More About Liposuction vs. Liposculpture From Balshi Dermatology in Delray Beach, FL

If you’re looking to not only rely on exercise, diet, and hard work to keep body fat at a minimum, liposuction may be for you. For those people who have been relentless and dedicated countless hours to efforts that seem to go in vain, going under the knife may be a popular option for those who need to lose stubborn fat. 

There are benefits to both procedures, no matter which method you choose. Whether it be liposuction vs liposculpture. Dr. Balshi at Balshi Dermatology can help you determine the best procedure for you and your end goals. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!