Liposculpture is rapidly becoming one of the most popular and visually appealing surgeries on social media. Behind the photogenic abs and sculpted waists, however, lie complex technologies, a demanding recovery, and the need for proper post-operative care.
What exactly is abdominal liposuction, and how is it combined with buttock lipofilling or BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift)? What types of liposuction exist, and which method might be right for you? When is abdominoplasty necessary, and when is liposculpture or body contouring enough?
Recovery is also an essential part of the process — from compression garments to lymphatic drainage, as well as cosmetic treatments that help maintain the results.
Liposculpture is not “just sucking out fat”
While many imagine liposculpture as simply removing fat, modern techniques represent the next generation of body contouring.
In the past, fat was removed evenly in small amounts, which improved appearance but rarely created a dramatic effect. Today the approach is different:
- fat is removed more aggressively,
- even superficial fat can be targeted,
- fat is taken unevenly — more in some areas, less in others — to highlight features and balance proportions.
A classic example is the waist: a narrow waist paired with fuller hips creates harmonious body contours.
Which technology is best for liposuction?
The foundation remains the same: vacuum aspiration with a cannula. Modern devices, however, offer additional benefits:
- VASER — ultrasound,
- PAL — vibrating cannula,
- Body-Jet — water-assisted fat removal,
- laser systems — various types for different effects.
Good results are possible without these systems, but in some cases they simplify the process and enhance the outcome.
We asked European plastic surgeon Dr. Zykov about BBL liposculpture techniques, and here is what he said:
“Tumescent liposuction is the safest, most effective, and widely used method. It is recognized as the best liposuction technique and has the fewest complications compared to laser and ultrasonic methods. Thermal methods, on one hand, destroy fat cells, but on the other hand, they cause greater tissue trauma, inflammation, and fibrosis. Therefore, patients who undergo “thermal” techniques often have more irregularities, dimples, and bumps compared to tumescent liposuction using vibrating cannulas.”
We recommend visiting the doctor’s website https://drzykov.com/body/liposculpture.html – it contains a lot of useful information about BBL liposculpture, including photos and videos of surgical results and the rehabilitation process.
“Fat removed here, transferred there”
Liposculpture is frequently combined with BBL — transferring a patient’s own fat to the buttocks to enhance curves.
For this reason, it is crucial to preserve live fat cells. Standard vacuum aspiration and PAL provide the highest survival rates, whereas ultrasound and laser methods may damage the cells.
How to avoid lumps and irregularities
The abdomen and “saddlebags” are among the most challenging areas for liposuction because:
- the surface area is large,
- the skin is often thin or stretched after pregnancy,
- the skin does not always contract well.
To reduce the risk of unevenness, the “criss-cross” technique is used — performing liposuction from multiple entry points so the cannula paths cross at right angles.
Post-operative care is equally important: compression garments, padding, and adherence to recovery protocols.
Who should not have liposculpture
- Patients with loose abdominal skin, stretch marks, or diastasis may require other surgical methods, such as abdominoplasty.
- People with visceral fat (around internal organs), since liposuction only removes subcutaneous fat.
Myth: “If fat is removed, it will grow elsewhere”
This is a common fear. In reality, liposuction permanently removes some fat cells, and they do not regenerate. However, the remaining ones can still enlarge if weight is gained, and visceral fat may increase.
Anesthesia: local or general?
It is often believed that local anesthesia is safer, but that is not the case. For large areas, general anesthesia is preferred since it is monitored by a full team with advanced equipment. Local anesthesia is suitable only for small, isolated zones.
Sport vs. liposuction
Visible abs usually require a body fat percentage of around 10–12%. Maintaining that level long-term is nearly impossible, even for athletes.
This is why liposculpture and modern body contouring are often chosen by people who train regularly but want lasting results. Most patients, once they achieve the look, work to maintain it with proper nutrition and exercise.
Modern trends
Current approaches increasingly emphasize:
- endoscopic techniques (especially for facial lifts),
- volume redistribution instead of simple removal,
- combining several methods in one operation,
- softer, more natural breast implants,
- transparency in showing results, including complications.
Conclusion
Liposculpture is not a magic wand, but with the right approach it can significantly reshape the body. The key is having realistic expectations, following recovery protocols, and understanding that some issues cannot be solved with liposuction alone.
As part of modern body contouring, liposculpture and BBL have become powerful tools to achieve balanced proportions and a harmonious silhouette.
