liposculpture
[ lip-uh-skuhlp-cher ] noun
A cosmetic surgical operation in which the shape of the body is altered by the removal by suction of excess body fat
Meet the Doctor
Dr Meaghan Heckenberg
Meet Dr Meaghan Heckenberg, one of Australia’s experienced liposuction / liposculpture proceduralists who has experienced the procedure herself. Meaghan has been performing liposuction / liposculpture procedures since 2008, has trained with some of the most highly experienced liposuction doctors / surgeons in Australia and in the USA, and is a professional trainer of liposuction at The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine (ACCSM – accsm.org.au).
Be Sculptured Liposculpture Sydney / Gold Coast was born from Meaghan’s desire to focus on the procedure of liposculpture under the tumescent local anaesthetic technique. She acquired extensive training in liposculpture with ACCSM, a major training college in liposuction and other cosmetic surgical procedures in Australia.
servicing sydney & gold coast
Based in Sydney, with regular consults & services also available on the Gold Coast.
be sculptured services
Liposuction vs. Liposculpture
Liposuction – Traditionally, this is the first term used for removing subcutaneous fat (fat that exists between the skin and the muscle).
Liposuction has often and erroneously been associated as a treatment for obesity. This is totally 100% incorrect and therefore the word has unfortunately developed incorrect connotations over decades.
Liposculpture and liposuction are essentially synonymous. They are both body-shape changing tools and should never be considered weight loss tools.
However, liposculpture is the term most often used when using the tumescent local anaesthetic technique and is mostly performed under mild – moderate sedation and less likely general anaesthesia. It is often associated with much finer cannulas, with the purpose of “shaping” or “contouring” the body, rather than indiscriminate removal of fat. It’s not designed to “de-bulk” the body of fat but rather to “re-shape” the body be removing fat in an organised way with fine cannulas.
The benefit of conducting the procedure under sedation and not using general anaesthesia is the patient may stand near the end of the procedure for the liposculpture-trained proceduralist to assess areas that may need fine-tuning. The effects of gravity on the body allows the liposculpture proceduralist to visualise the shape change, assess symmetry and assess remaining excess fatty tissue to be further removed before finishing the procedure. This cannot be done if the patient has general anaesthesia.
Liposculpture and liposuction are both considered cosmetic surgery.
The outcomes of surgery are only relevant for the specific individual as all patients are different. Results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
Cosmetic surgery can be a very positive experience for many people but all surgery carries risk. For more comprehensive information, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.
Understanding Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Training: What Patients Should Know
Australian plastic surgeons go through a structured training pathway that mainly focuses on reconstructive and medically necessary procedures within public hospital settings. However, cosmetic procedures like liposuction are usually not performed in these public hospitals. This means that experience in procedures such as liposuction is often gained through extra training and supervised practice in private clinics, outside of standard plastic surgery core training.
Because of this, having a plastic surgery qualification does not automatically mean a doctor is highly experienced in cosmetic procedures like liposuction. These procedures require specific hands-on training and skill development that goes beyond general plastic surgery training.
There is sometimes confusion in the public about who is most qualified to perform cosmetic procedures. This has led to the incorrect belief that only plastic surgeons are properly trained in aesthetic treatments. In fact, many doctors who are not plastic surgeons but work in cosmetic medicine and surgery have undergone extensive, specific training and have significant experience in performing these procedures.
What matters most is not the title of the doctor, but their individual training, experience, and results. When choosing a practitioner for a cosmetic procedure, patients should look into their specific qualifications, ask about their experience with the procedure, and view before-and-after results to ensure they are in safe, capable hands.
before & after photos
We do not provide before and after photos on our website. Photos can be viewed on Dr Meaghan’s Instagram.