Learn about some of the most sought-after procedures by women

• May 18, 2022
• By Fernando Amato

There's no denying that plastic surgery is a strong ally in female self-esteem. But it is very important that the indication of the best type of surgery be made by a specialist in plastic surgery, certified by the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, so that they can individually guide which procedure will bring satisfactory results, always seeking the patient's safety and well-being.

Below, I have compiled the main techniques sought by women to rejuvenate and harmonize the body, reducing fat, removing loose skin, and repositioning tissues. Plastic surgery must include a rigorous pre-operative and be individualized.

Abdominoplasty: A plastic surgery performed on the abdomen and indicated when there is excess skin and fat in this region, abdominoplasty is much more than just tightening the belly; the surgery can be performed concomitantly with corrections of abdominal wall hernias and the treatment of the rectus abdominis muscles (diastasis). Frequently, we indicate abdominoplasty as a reconstructive procedure when excess skin and fat form an apron, potentially covering the genitalia. This can be common in post-operative bariatric surgery or in patients with significant weight loss, serving as an alternative to reconstruct the patient's quality of life and self-esteem.

For those who have undergone abdominoplasty and become pregnant, there are no health risks; however, the aesthetic result may be compromised after the baby's birth.

Inverted abdominoplasty or reverse abdominoplasty: This is a surgical option for restricted cases where excess skin and fat are above the navel. It can be an option in cases that have already undergone a classic abdominoplasty.

Hydrolipocution: A liposuction technique that uses the infiltration of liquids containing saline, adrenaline, and local anesthetic. With the infiltration of this liquid, aspiration is performed with a syringe or surgical aspirator. The risk of this surgery increases with imprudence in aspirating large volumes and in many regions. It is always ideal to perform the procedure in a hospital setting, preferably with the presence of an anesthesiologist, even if local anesthesia is used. Furthermore, many non-specialist doctors are venturing into this procedure, further increasing the risk of serious complications.

Liposuction and Lipofilling: One of the most performed plastic surgeries in the world and related to the treatment of fat accumulations in some body regions such as thighs, saddlebags, abdomen, back, double chin, and arms.

It is not a procedure for those who wish to lose weight and is contraindicated for people with obesity. Sometimes it can be associated with other surgical procedures such as abdominoplasty, mammoplasty, and rhytidectomy.  In liposuction, the aspirated fat can be treated and injected into other parts of the body such as the buttocks, breast, or even the face, which we call lipofilling. It is very important to pay attention to the aspiration limits, not being able to aspirate more than 7% of the body volume or exceed 40% of the body area.

Anesthesia can be local or even general, but always in surgical environments. Patients who undergo adequate pre-operative care minimize surgical risk.

Liposculpture: A liposuction concept in which fat is removed from some areas and placed in others. It is not a surgery indicated for weight loss but rather to improve body contour, repositioning buttocks, breasts, and abdomen.

Lipolaser: Complementary liposuction equipment, with different devices on the market, that can cause lipolysis, fat destruction, or release it without destroying it, allowing its use for fat grafting in the face, buttocks, and breasts. Lipolaser makes the procedure easier, less invasive, allowing the patient a faster recovery with fewer risks of bleeding and hematoma formation.

Lipo HD:  A modern concept in which liposuction is used to improve muscle contour and transitions, enhancing existing musculature.

Mini-lipo: This is a commercial name for small-volume liposuction, often performed on an outpatient basis, meaning in an office. It can be a risk for those who perform it without necessary precautions or in an inadequate environment.

In addition to breast reconstruction and liposuction, my list of most performed surgeries includes mammoplasty and mastopexy (aesthetic breast surgery with or without silicone implants), abdominoplasty, and skin cancer.

Mammoplasty: As the name suggests, it is plastic surgery of the breast. It basically involves two procedures: augmentation mammoplasty, which is commonly performed with the placement of a silicone implant, a procedure popularly known as breast implant, and reduction mammoplasty, for reducing breast volume.

Mastopexy: This is related to the repositioning of the areolas and is indicated for sagging breasts, often also with flaccidity and excess skin. It can be associated with implant placement, in which case it will be called mastopexy with implants. Although all are breast surgeries, each has its own characteristics and details in the post-operative evolution, and the scars can vary greatly depending on the technique used. The most common incision for breast implants is in the inframammary fold, but it can also be periareolar and axillary. Besides being able to remove some excess periareolar skin, the most common is to remove skin and reposition the areola, creating an inverted T scar. The inverted T scar is the most common and is also used in large breast reductions.

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