‘Muffin tops’ given the chop by pioneering surgery

Overspill: the surgery tackles hip fat
12 April 2012

A London cosmetic surgeon has pioneered a new procedure to banish the "muffin top" roll of flab that pokes over women's jeans.

Until now, surgeons have used liposuction to carry out the deep removal of fat "pads" around the hips. But cosmetic surgery expert Patrick Mallucci has developed a method called "superficial" liposuction which removes fat that is resistant to diet and exercise.

This technique is performed only on the superficial layer of fat so reduces trauma and bruising. It can also be used to correct "pear shaped" figures where fat is deposited on the buttocks and thighs.

Mr Mallucci, a consultant at the Royal Free hospital in Hampstead and at his own clinic in Devonshire Place, said: "Muffin tops show how fat we are getting and this means there is an increasing call for liposuction in different parts of the body."

The technique was unveiled at the British Association for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons annual conference in Cardiff. It was also revealed at the conference that women face a postcode lottery over access to plastic surgery on the NHS. The first study of its kind reveals the criteria vary for procedures such as breast reductions, scar removal and ear reduction in children.

One in 10 PCTs refuse to offer any plastic surgery, even work on patients scarred in a fire or other accidents. More than seven out of 10 NHS trusts allow breast reduction and about a third did not specify any specific symptoms.

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