The procedure by which fat is removed from certain areas of the body with the use of a vacuum aspirator and cannulas is called liposuction. Since the 1970s, this technique has been modified to make it safer and obtain better results. Today, it is the most requested cosmetic surgical procedure in the world. According to the latest survey by the ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), around 2 million liposuctions are performed per year, being the United States and Mexico the countries with the highest number of procedures, largely due to the high obesity rate in both nations.

The most used technique is conventional liposuction, in which a solution with adrenaline is infiltrated, and is classified as wet, super-wet or tumescent. There are other techniques such as hydroliposuction, laser or ultrasonic liposuction, which, depending on the surgeon’s preference, can offer better results with less wear and tear for the doctor.

At the same time, complementary equipment for the procedure has evolved, which improves skin adhesion, reduces inflammation and promotes body contour. Some of these radiofrequency equipment are Vaser, J-Plasma, Dorian, BodyTite, Heus, among others.

A frequently asked question is the difference between liposuction and liposculpture. Liposuction focuses on the extraction of fat, while liposculpture involves the shaping of the body contour by extracting fat and its subsequent transfer (lipofilling) to other areas such as hips, buttocks, calves, face or areas with depressions due to scars or anatomical defects.