Fat-to-muscle surgery arrives

Dave Pratt before and after surgery. Photos / Supplied

Botox for breasts, liquid facelifts and fat-sucking surgery that reveals a rippling six-pack in hours are the latest cosmetic crazes to hit New Zealand.

But a leading industry professional has warned such treatments are fads and should not be thought of as "magic" solutions to body blues.

The newest surgery on offer is High Definition Lipo-Selection, a "liposculpture" that shifts fatty tissue around the body to create realistic muscles.

Dr Mark Gray, director of the Skin Institute in Auckland, is the country's only specialist trained to perform the surgery.

Gray, who sees up to five clients a week, has been offering the technique for six months and says it has been increasing in popularity. Clients can be on their feet the following day and at work in a fortnight.

"In a normal liposuction procedure, you get rid of lumps and bumps like abdomen fat or 'saddlebags', but this kind of liposculpture is more about shaping your body to give you a good physique," said Gray.

"I've done this procedure on people who have never done any gym work in their lives. Everyone has a six-pack, it's just a matter of revealing it."

The procedure involves an ultrasonic Vaser probe that emits soundwaves to melt away fatty tissue from the stomach, pectoral, arm, hip or buttock areas. The fat is sucked out and can be deposited elsewhere in the body to create definition.

Developed in America, the procedure can cost anywhere from $5000 to $25,000, and is proving popular with both sexes.

Although Hi-Def can boost the bustline, women with smaller breasts also have the option of "Breastox" - a new craze in the UK.

The procedure involves 45-60 units of Botox being injected into each breast for $1500 to $2000.

Dr Catherine Stone, medical director of The Face Place MedSpa in Auckland, trialled the procedure five years ago, but said it had yet to catch on.

Her clinic also offers a liquid facelift - where a dermal filler called Macrolane is injected into the cheeks, chin and nose - is proving more popular.

"A liquid facelift will take up to an hour and a half to do including consultation, and you can be back at work the next day," said Stone.

New Zealand Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons president Dr Colin Calcinai said the new procedures were fads.

"The Vaser technology is new ... but people need to realise there's no magic in any of it."

Gray said Hi-Def was safe but acknowledged it carried risks, like any new treatment.

Patients may have to go back for touch-ups and could also need fluid build-up draining.

Liquid facelifts and regular Botox injections can also cause swelling.

"A new procedure like this always seems a bit odd to people because it can take them a while to understand it," said Gray.

WAKING UP WITH A SIX-PACK

Spending nine hours a week in the gym didn't give Dave Pratt the toned physique he wanted, so he decided to jump on the operating table instead.

And after little more than three hours in surgery, the 38-year-old awoke with the rippling stomach he thought he'd never be able to achieve.

"I exercised a lot, but maybe I'm unlucky because my genetics haven't been as good as others," said the Auckland construction consultant.

"Some people can just look at weights and their muscles pop out. I could have slogged it out at the gym for another 20 years and not got these results."

Dave wasn't overweight before booking in for Hi Definition Lipo-Selection, but said he had neglected his body for too long.

The short recovery period saw him back in the gym after just 10 days of "downtime".

"I neglected my body for 35 years, and so getting the unwanted fat sucked out was the driver for me to do it. Lots said I was really brave, and they were astounded by the results I achieved," he said. Dave is determined not to slip into old habits.

"Why would you go through this process to look great for three months and then let it all go?"