Liposuction has an interesting yet complex history. The methods of body sculpting and fat removal have transitioned from somewhat crude methods of liposuction to minimally invasive techniques. This can be attributed to the many leaps and bounds made in liposuction technology.

It was in the early twenties when the first attempt at removing fat and re-contouring the human body was made. The method used was one of dissecting the skin back and removing the unwanted deposits of fat. Of course, this technique had its drawbacks, causing patients intense pain and severe scarring. There was also a high chance of developing an infection due to there being no antibiotics back then. This is resulted in a number of cases of gangrene. Because the first attempts at surgical fat removal didn't turn out so well, doctors backed off from the thought of it until late in the 20th century.

By the 1970s, cosmetic surgery the thing to have. Some of the most popular actors and actresses during that time advocated its beauty-enhancing benefits. In the 1950s and 1960s, Marilyn Monroe became the first pin-up girl to have cosmetic surgery. She had several procedures performed, helping to make a name for several plastic and cosmetic surgeons. This helped to pave the way for newer liposuction techniques.

Since then, liposuction has made great strides. Throughout the 70s, methods began to improve. As newer and safer liposuction techniques developed, liposuction eventually became one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the 80s and 90s.

By the 1990s, surgeons had developed advanced skills in the art of fat removal. Through the aid of innovative cannulas, liposuction surgeons were able to achieve results like never before. From there, a new age of liposuction developed, from lasers to ultrasound energy becoming the preferred method of choice.

However, it wasn't until Dr. Alfredo Hoyos, a Columbian cosmetic surgeon, that liposuction was changed forever. He invented Vaser Hi Def - the cream of the crop in the field of liposuction. His innovative technology uses an ultrasound probe to break up fatty deposits without disturbing the surrounding tissue structures. It was the first liposuction method that was able to be performed without general anesthesia. This allowed patients to without being put to sleep and enjoy a faster recovery time with very little pain.

The history of liposuction indeed shows just how much it has improved since its troublesome beginnings. It is now one of the most common procedures patients ask their cosmetic surgeon to perform.