The Evolution of Modern Liposculpting

Updated March 2024

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anh Tuan Truong

Triple Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon

Modern Liposculpting and liposuction has come a long way from its early beginnings. When it first came on the scene in the 1970s, the fat removal method was rather basic when compared with today’s standards.

A blunt hollow instrument called a cannula was created to create tunnels between blood vessels and suck out unwanted fat.

Several years later, a saline solution and local anesthetic were included as part of the procedure, injected into the fat prior to suction to reduce bleeding and minimize discomfort. But modern liposculpting techniques reflect the major advancements in the field of body contouring over the years.

As liposuction began to take hold in the 1980s, there was still significant room for improvement in modern liposculpting. Epinephrine was added to the liquid solution, which helped to reduce bleeding. Smaller cannulas were used for a more refined technique.

Then, in the early 1990s, a new approach was introduced. Using sound waves to dissolve the fat, ultrasonic assisted liposuction was born.

Today’s Liposuction: Modern Liposculpting

Ultrasonic assisted liposuction helped to pave the way for other new liposuction technologies. SmartLipo™ is a more precise liposuction technique that uses laser energy to liquefy fat, making it easier to remove.

SmartLipo™ is celebrated as a gentler form of liposuction that targets the unwanted fat while preserving the surrounding tissue. However, traditional tumescent liposuction is still regarded as the gold standard for body contouring.

Making Fat Removal an Art Form

Modern techniques rely on a cosmetic surgeon’s skill to deliver a refined and natural-looking result. Today, liposculpture is about more than just fat removal.

Shaping the body requires a precise hand and a sensitivity to the human form, allowing both women and men with stubborn deposits of fat enjoy a smooth, beautiful physique.

Photo of Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS

Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS – Triple Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, and the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Truong specializes in advanced breast, body, and facial procedures, is a member of the elite Dr. Miami Squad, and serves as an Officer & Board Trustee for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.