Here is a 45-year-old female patient before and after her high-definition body contouring procedure.
Although high-definition liposuction removes fat comprehensively, it is predicated on the fact that the skin will also be tightened. Otherwise, you would look like a shaped dog which is not attractive on a human body. How does skin tightening occur following high-definition liposuction? We must review human skin anatomy to describe how skin tightening occurs following high-definition liposuction.
The human skin is made of multiple layers, including the superficial layer called the epidermis and the deeper layer called the dermis. Underneath these layers, we find the fat, which is categorized by cables of collagen called retaining ligaments or the fibro-septal network.
These fibro septal networks are denser superficially and become more sparse as we go deeper. The fibro septal network is missing at the deepest layer of skin, and the fat is more homogenous and loose.
When performing traditional liposuction, only fat in the deepest layer can be removed. In contrast, ultrasound-assisted liposuction removes not only the deepest layer but also the most superficial layers of fat.
So how does high-definition liposuction tighten your skin?
Skin redraping
The first way that high-definition liposuction tightens your skin is by utilizing ultrasound-assisted liposuction to remove all the fat from the most superficial to the deepest fat layers. By removing the fat intermingled between the fibro septal network, these cords can tighten down, thus retracting the skin up to the muscles.
This redraping of the skin is possible since the fat cells that act as sponges have now been removed. Maximum skin redraping is appreciated when 360 liposuctions are performed, as this mobilizes the skin around your body, allowing it to regrade to the muscles. For patients with minimal skin redundancy, this technique provides optimal skin tightening.
Tightening of the fibro septal network
The second way high-definition liposuction tightens the skin is through subdermal coagulation using the Renuvion J plasma. This modality shrink-wraps the collagen molecules found in the deepest layer of the skin and the fibro septal network discussed above.
So these cables stretching from the skin to the underlying muscles can be tightened by applying heat produced by the Renuvion J plasma wound. This skin tightening is a preferred technique because it avoids any skin incisions. For patients with moderate skin redundancy, this technique provides optimal skin tightening.
Strategic skin excisions
The final way that high-definition liposuction protocol tightens the skin is by performing strategic skin excisions that cut out the skin. The secret to these skin excisions is to place the excisions in hidden locations.
For example, we provide a mini tummy tuck in the abdominal region and a reverse tummy tuck. The mini tummy tuck eliminates skin below the belly button with an incision hidden in the pubic region within the undergarment.
The reverse tummy tuck eliminates skin above the belly button with two separate incisions hidden under the breasts in the inframammary crease.
Two separate excision patterns are required because the belly button acts as an anchor and won’t allow for the upper and lower abdominal skin to be tightened using one or the other procedure. Both of these strategic excisions allow your surgeon to eliminate severe skin redundancy.
In summary, high-definition liposuction protocols allow skin tightening while maximally removing excess fat. Following your complimentary consultation with a SurgiSculpt surgeon, you will receive a customized surgical plan to address excess fat and skin redundancy.
