By Kasmiah Mustapha

FOR 10 years, Jane Ronaldson had been trying to get rid of her fat belly. She embarked on a healthy diet and exercised vigorously, but nothing worked.

"I didn't eat foods high in carbohydrate. I cycled, walked, jogged and worked out at the gym. I even climbed Mount Kinabalu, but the stubborn fat refused to budge," says the Scot, who has made Kuala Lumpur her home for almost three years with her husband.

After the birth of her third child, she decided that it was time for another form of intervention - liposuction.

Her friend, who went for the procedure which used water jet to wash the fat away, recommended it to her.

"It was quick and not as painful as I had imagined. I'm happy with the results as the fat in my tummy are gone. But I still need to eat right and exercise," says Ronaldson.

Dr Yap demonstrating how the water jet-assisted machine works. Photo:NST

Prince Court Medical Centre consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Yap Lok Huei says body jet water-assisted liposuction is fast, effective and minimally invasive compared to the traditional method of liposuction.

Using a water spray, fat will be dislodged without the force used in conventional liposuction methods. The fluid separates fat from tissue efficiently as fluid is released under the skin. The fluid also helps to break up fat from other vital components such as nerves and blood vessels.

"The water spray 'dissects' the fat apart and washes them away. It is more gentle on the tissue and leaves less bruising and pain. This minimises trauma and discomfort for the patient and shortens recovery time.

"The patient's faster recovery is good for surgeons as we can perform the procedure in less than an hour. It can be applied on the abdomen, buttocks, hips, knees, arms and thighs," says Dr Yap.

Introduced in the United Kingdom five years ago, the water jet technique has also been used in liver and prostate surgeries. It was later modified for liposuction.