Evolution of Body Contouring Surgery

The history of liposuction can be traced back to the early twentieth century, with several key developments along the way. In fact, body contouring surgery has emerged as the top aesthetic procedure in most countries worldwide, surpassing even breast surgeries. Techniques have evolved, ranging from simple adipose tissue removal (also known as liposuction) to body sculpting (liposculpture), and to the current standard of care: High Definition Lipoplasty (HDL), which involves fat grafting and 360° liposculpture as the cornerstones for body contouring surgery. Research in liposuction in the 1980s was primarily focused on describing techniques and assessing their reliability. After its evident success, the evolution of surgical techniques and technologies in the field of aesthetic lipoplasty has led to the investigation of safer and more effective ways to address unwanted body fat and improve an individual’s appearance. In this chapter, we will provide our expert insights and engage in a brief discussion about the most remarkable papers in body contouring surgery.