High Definition Liposuction (HD Lipo)

HD lipo, also known as high-definition liposuction, HD liposuction or high-definition lipo, is an advanced body contouring technique used for the precise delineation of muscular contours in men. Technical advances in liposuction have parallelled advances in HD lipo. Abdominal etching originally emerged as a differential liposuction technique to enhance the appearance of the abdominal musculature in male patients by removing fat with liposuction at different levels. Although liposuction remains the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure performed in men, patients are increasingly asking for results that are beyond the correction of areas with excess fatty tissue. HD lipo, or HDL for short, is designed to sculpt the muscular anatomy of the torso to achieve results that far exceed anything attainable with liposuction.

Abdominal etching is performed with liposuction in the superficial fat plane. The advanced abdominal etching technique slowly gained acceptance and popularity among surgeons for the treatment of patients seeking well-toned bodies with muscular definition. High-definition liposculpture (HDL) is an evolution of the abdominal etching technique and involves several techniques designed to emulate athletic and attractive surface anatomy. HD lipo is a multistep liposuction procedure that debulks the deeper fatty tissues, whereas more superficial liposuction highlights the natural surface grooves. HDL is now a unique subspecialty in its own right and quite separate from traditional liposuction. HDL is an integration of art and science to deliver results that are very highly regarded by plastic surgeons and patients alike.

At Centre for Surgery, Lipo HD uses PAL technology to achieve both deep fat layer debulking and superficial fat layer sculpting to demarcate and highlight the regional musculoskeletal anatomy of our male patients. Our surgeons utilise precise intraoperative techniques to ensure a smooth postoperative experience, including recovery, satisfaction, and minimising complications.

High Definition Liposuction, also interchangeably known as HD Lipo or Hi-Def Liposuction, stands as a pioneering advancement in cosmetic surgery, designed to sculpt and redefine the body’s contours with precision unmatched by traditional liposuction methods. This innovative technique goes beyond mere fat removal. It meticulously accentuates the underlying musculature, offering patients a more toned, athletic appearance.

At the heart of High Definition Liposuction is the use of state-of-the-art technology that allows surgeons to remove fat strategically, while simultaneously enhancing the visibility of muscular definition. This method is particularly effective for individuals who, despite a healthy lifestyle, struggle to achieve the desired definition in areas such as the abdomen, arms, thighs, and back.

HD Lipo differs from conventional liposuction by its emphasis on precision and detail. Traditional liposuction focuses on reducing fat volume, which certainly improves body shape but does not necessarily enhance muscle tone or definition. High Definition Liposuction, on the other hand, is akin to the work of an artist, where the surgeon uses their skill and the latest technology to carefully shape the body, accentuating the natural contours and muscular form.

High Definition Liposuction, often referred to as HD Lipo, Hi-Def Liposuction, or HD Liposuction, is a cutting-edge cosmetic procedure that offers a plethora of advantages for those seeking to enhance and refine their body contours. This advanced technique stands out in the realm of cosmetic surgery for its ability to meticulously sculpt the body, providing a more defined and athletic appearance. Let’s delve into the myriad benefits that High Definition Liposuction brings to the table, marking it as a preferred choice for body contouring.

Enhanced Muscle Definition

One of the most significant benefits of High Definition Liposuction is its ability to accentuate the underlying musculature, offering a more toned and sculpted look. Unlike traditional liposuction, which primarily focuses on fat removal, HD Lipo targets specific areas with precision to highlight muscular definition, giving the body a more chiselled and athletic appearance.

Precise Fat Removal

HD Liposuction utilises state-of-the-art technology to remove fat strategically and with high precision from targeted areas. This precision ensures that the desired body contours are achieved more effectively, offering a tailored approach to fat reduction that aligns with the individual’s body goals.

Minimally Invasive with Faster Recovery

Compared to conventional liposuction techniques, High Definition Liposuction is less invasive, which translates to shorter recovery times. Patients can often return to their daily routines more swiftly, with many able to resume normal activities within a few weeks post-procedure, following their surgeon’s guidance.

Boost in Self-Confidence

The aesthetic improvements achieved through HD Liposuction can significantly enhance an individual’s self-esteem and body image. By sculpting a more desirable physique, patients often experience a newfound confidence in their appearance, positively impacting their overall quality of life.

Complements a Healthy Lifestyle

High Definition Liposuction is particularly beneficial for individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle but struggle to eliminate stubborn fat deposits or achieve the muscle definition they desire. This procedure can complement diet and exercise efforts, offering a solution that aligns with and enhances a fit and active lifestyle.

Long-Lasting Results

The results of HD Liposuction, when coupled with a consistent healthy lifestyle, can be long-lasting. The removal of fat cells from specific areas means those cells cannot return, making it easier to maintain the sculpted appearance with regular exercise and a balanced diet.

Versatility

High Definition Liposuction is versatile, allowing for customisation to meet the unique needs and goals of each patient. It can be applied to various parts of the body, including the abdomen, arms, thighs, and back, making it a flexible option for those looking to address multiple areas of concern.

All prospective patients must be assessed for their suitability by one of our surgeons. Ideal patients are men aged between 25 and 39 years, with a body mass index (BMI) of <30 kg/m², an absence of abdominal hernia or abdominal muscle bulging, no history of massive weight loss, no contraindication for TIVA general anaesthesia, and without any significant medical conditions. Other variables taken into consideration in the physical examination are skin quality (tone and elasticity), pinch test (to evaluate subcutaneous vs intra-abdominal fat), and scars from previous surgeries.

In addition to the above criteria, patients must adhere to a strict postoperative protocol, which includes regular clinic visits, medical photography at predetermined postoperative time intervals, compliance with compression garment use as instructed by the surgeon, massage therapy for lymphatic drainage and demarcation, staged return to work, and staged return to physical activity (which includes exercising and working out at the gym). All patients are encouraged to start a healthy, protein-rich diet postoperatively and adhere to exercise habits as soon as the compression garment is removed.

The importance of having realistic expectations

Your surgeon will explain the procedure in detail during the preoperative visit. With HD lipo, the results depend on many factors (including the patient’s personal anatomy, the volume of excess fat, exercise habits, etc.) and cannot simply be replicated from a photograph which is shown to the surgeon during your consultation.

Trust a body contouring plastic surgeon

A body contouring plastic surgeon is trained to undertake aesthetic surgical procedures on the breast and body region. They are dedicated sub-specialists. Compared with general plastic surgeons, body contouring plastic surgeons are inherently better trained to perform advanced breast and body procedures. The extra years of surgical training by body contouring specialists focused on the breast and body region results in an exceptionally high degree of skill.

HD lipo is performed at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone as a day case procedure. This means you will be admitted and discharged on the same day, thus allowing you to recover in the comfort of your own home.

Hi Def lipo comprises the treatment of:

• Abdomen and flanks
• Chest
• Upper arms

Preoperative marking for Hi-Def lipo

Immediately before the procedure, patients are always marked in the preoperative area while in a standing position. The underlying bony and muscular anatomies are the guidelines for skin marking at all times. The surgeon starts by marking the chest anatomy following the inferior horizontal and oblique lines of the pectoralis muscle; the upper part of the chest is evaluated to assess whether a fat transfer is required. The abdominal inscriptions are examined and carefully marked to delineate the underlying rectus abdominis anatomy. The pelvic bones and ligaments are marked. The groove between the deltoid and the biceps anteriorly and the deltoid and triceps posteriorly are marked. In the lower back, the surgeon marks the lateral border of the thoracolumbar fascia, the inferior border of the latissimus dorsi, and the superior border of the gluteus maximus muscle.

HD lipo is performed with the PAL system (power-assisted liposuction). Fat harvest and superficial liposculpting are done by means of bent and straight 5-mm exploded tip cannulas. Fat is collected and processed with a fat grafting system. Fat transfer to the chest is performed with a 4-mm single-side-hole injection cannula. HD lipo is performed under TIVA general anaesthesia.

Step 1:

After induction of general anaesthesia, the surgeon starts by turning the patient into a prone or face-down position. The gluteal area, back, and arms are prepped and draped. Two 5-mm incisions are made just above the gluteal region, and two 5-mm incisions in the back of the armpit fold. A tumescent local anaesthetic solution is injected into the fat compartments to be treated. Our surgeons use the SAFElipo technique for lipo-aspiration. After the deep fat compartments in the lower back are aspirated, superficial fat compartments are treated to mark the lower back lines (lower border of the latissimus dorsi muscle following along the lateral thoracolumbar fascia and the lateral vertical line of the erector spinae muscle caudally). The back of the upper arms is marked by suctioning the superficial fat layer between the deltoid and the triceps.

Step 2:

Patients are then turned into a supine or face-up position, and 5-mm incisions are made in the following sites: groin region (bilaterally), belly button, below both nipples, and armpit crease on both sides. SAFElipo technique is used for extraction of the deep medial and lateral abdominal compartments (below and above the umbilicus) and the deep fat compartment in the armpit. This is followed by treatment of the superficial fat compartments along the preoperatively marked lines on the abdomen and chest. Abdominal inscriptions overlying the rectus abdominis are marked through the belly button and the areola region without the need for additional incisions. This is accomplished with the use of both straight and curved cannulas. The front of the upper arms is treated through the armpit incisions by aspirating the fat between the deltoid and biceps.

Step 3:

After harvested fat is washed and filtered in the fat grafting system, transfer to the chest area is achieved through the areolar and armpit incisions. Low-volume fat grafting is performed in the subcutaneous pectoral area with a 4-mm single-side-hole cannula. There is no need for the placement of surgical drains after HD lipo.

After the wounds are closed and dressings have been applied, specialised compression foam strips are applied over the superficially marked areas. Patients are then placed in compression garments before finally being woken up from TIVA general anaesthesia.

Patients are discharged home later in the day once they have met all the discharge criteria.

Patients will have scheduled postoperative clinic visits on days 3, 7, and at six weeks, three months, six months, and one year. Manual lymphatic massage needs to be scheduled for two sessions during the first postoperative week. More sessions are scheduled if found necessary. Manual lymphatic massage, which is performed in our practice by our specialist massage therapists, includes draining areas of swelling to the closest lymph nodes, as well as drainage of superficial fat areas that are treated to avoid the development of fibrosis and loss of definition. All patients are given documents to complete postoperatively detailing their intake of pain medication, number and dates of massage sessions, compression garment use, return to work, return to full activity and physical exercise, and their satisfaction score (1-10, with one being extremely bad and ten being outstanding) at 1.5, 6, and 12 months. Photographs are taken in a standardised fashion, with the same light settings being used preoperatively and during all postoperative visits.

All patients are prescribed paracetamol and ibuprofen for postoperative pain control on an as-required basis. Patients are completely off their pain medications, typically by day 8 (paracetamol) and day 9 (ibuprofen). After day 9, we found none of our patients to be on pain medication for surgical pain treatment.

Will skin tighten after HD lipo?

With the skin in the treated areas, a significant retraction is often noticed as early as day 3 when the compression garment is first removed. This concept has been well described in the past with liposuction of the superficial fat layers as well with thermal energy–emitting technologies like VASER. Our surgeons agree that skin retraction continues to progress over the first few months after surgery.

Our surgeons have noticed that the two massage therapy sessions during the first week help accelerate the recovery time and diminish the risk of fluid collection. Another benefit of these sessions is the drainage of the marked areas in the superficial fat layer. Failure to do so for a prolonged time could produce fibrosis and diminished definition.

Compression foam is used for only 3 or 4 days after surgery (it can be removed during the first massage therapy session), and there is no need for reapplication for longer periods.

Our surgeons recommend only three weeks of compression garment use; with longer periods of wear, the risk of contour deformities from the garment folds outweighs the benefit. Furthermore, at three weeks, patients should be ready to return to their regular physical activity, and garment removal should help with this process.

HD lipo has been performed with an impressive safety record for over 15 years and is considered by our plastic surgeons to be a very safe procedure when performed correctly. All procedures at Centre for Surgery are performed by fully qualified and experienced plastic surgeons to get the best possible results. Although complications with HD lipo are generally rare, they can still occur. Your surgeon will discuss all the potential risks and complications associated with the HD lipo procedure with you in detail at your face-to-face consultation.

Potential risks of Lipo HD

• Anaesthesia risks
• Seroma or haematoma
• Numbness, which can be temporary or permanent
• Bruising and swelling
• Poor wound healing
• Stretch mark development
• Exacerbation of cellulite
• Surgical site infection
• Visceral perforation
• Asymmetry
• Contour irregularities
• Skin laxity
• Kidney or liver problems
• Fat embolism
• In some patients, liposuction may exacerbate pre-existing skin laxity, requiring skin removal in a second procedure.

RELATED: Loose Skin after Liposuction – Top Tips for Prevention and Treatment

Several factors will determine the overall cost of the HD lipo procedure, and the final quotation will be given after your face-to-face consultation with your specialist plastic surgeon.

We are a beacon of excellence in High Definition Liposuction (HD Lipo) with unparalleled expertise. Our clinic is renowned for its commitment to providing each patient with bespoke, state-of-the-art treatments that echo the latest advancements in cosmetic procedures. Choosing Centre for Surgery for your HD Liposuction means stepping into a world where your aesthetic aspirations are transformed into reality with precision, care, and the highest standard of safety.

Our team comprises highly skilled and experienced surgeons specialising in HD Liposuction, leveraging advanced techniques and technology to achieve superior results. We understand that each individual’s body and goals are unique, so we offer tailored treatment plans to meet your needs and desires. At Centre for Surgery, your journey towards a refined and sculpted physique is supported by a compassionate and knowledgeable team dedicated to ensuring an outstanding patient experience from consultation through to recovery.

What Our Patients Say: Testimonials

“Transformative Journey” “My experience with Centre for Surgery was nothing short of transformative. The HD Lipo procedure not only sculpted my body but also boosted my confidence immensely. The staff were incredibly supportive, and my surgeon provided clear, comprehensive advice, making me feel secure throughout my journey.” – Emily R.

“Beyond Expectations” “Choosing Centre for Surgery for my HD Liposuction was the best decision I ever made. The results have exceeded my expectations, giving me the toned appearance I’ve always dreamed of. The level of care and professionalism at the clinic was exceptional. A truly life-changing experience.” – Daniel K.

“Expert Care and Stunning Results” “From my initial consultation to my final follow-up, the team at Centre for Surgery was phenomenal. The attention to detail, expertise, and patient care were beyond compare. My HD Lipo results are stunning, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice of clinic.” – Sarah J.

Book Your Consultation Today

Ready to explore how high-definition liposuction can enhance your physique? Contact Centre for Surgery to book your personalised consultation. Our friendly team is here to answer any questions and guide you through the next steps towards achieving your body contouring goals.

📞 Phone: 0207 993 4849 📧 Email: contact@centreforsurgery.com 📍 Address: 95-97 Baker Street, London W1U 6RN

Explore More About Us and Our Services

Visit our About Us page for more detailed information about the Centre for Surgery, our ethos, and why we stand out as leaders in cosmetic surgery.

Your Finance Options

Understanding the financial aspect of cosmetic surgery is crucial. At Centre for Surgery, we offer various finance options, including 0% APR with Chrysalis Finance, to make your journey towards a refined physique more accessible.

Gain Insights from Our Plastic Surgery Blog

Delve deeper into the world of cosmetic surgery by exploring our plastic surgery blog, where you’ll find valuable insights, tips, and the latest advancements in procedures, including HD Liposuction.

Clinic FAQs

Have questions? Our Clinic FAQs page is a comprehensive resource for answers to common queries about procedures, preparation, recovery, and more.

Visit Our Baker Street Clinic

Experience the excellence of Centre for Surgery firsthand by visiting our Baker Street clinic. Learn more about our facilities and how we can support your aesthetic goals here.

At Centre for Surgery, we are dedicated to helping you achieve the body confidence you deserve with High Definition Liposuction. Contact us today to embark on your transformation journey with the experts in cosmetic excellence.