Good for? All the usual areas, bottom, thighs, chin, but the manufacturer says it's particularly good for areas that normal liposuction does not do well, for example, gynaecomastic reduction - that's man boobs to you.

What is it? A variation on traditional liposuction, which gives dramatic results and can be done under a local anaesthetic. The Bodyjet liposuction machine pumps high-pressured fluid into the unwanted fat using a cannula (a hollow metal tube). The pressure of the fluid breaks up the fat so more fat can be sucked out than in traditional liposuction, a surgical technique in which areas of fat are sucked out through a small incision in the skin using a cannula and a suction pump. With Bodyjet liposuction less manual pressure is needed to remove the fat and a local anaesthetic can be used. The fluid pumped in to the fat contains adrenalin, causing the blood vessels to shrink, so less blood is lost.

Ouch factor? “Patients who've had liposuction in the past and have then used Bodyjet have said that it is tremendous,” says Dr C.C.Kat, a plastic surgeon who does the procedure at her surgery in the Midlands (www.cckat.net). One patient who had traditional liposuction on her thighs and bottom, and Bodyjet liposuction on her upper arms said: “I found the liposuction to my arms much less painful and the recovery period was a lot more comfortable.”

Clock-watching The amount of time it takes depends on the area. Under the chin or a small amount of fat on the lower tummy can take half an hour, while the abdomen and thighs takes two hours. Downtime “Because there is no general anaesthetic it is much quicker to get over, and if you have the procedure on a Wednesday, you'll be back at work on Friday,” says Dr Kat. Bruising can take one to two weeks to disappear.

What to ask This procedure must be done by a plastic surgeon. Ensure that he or she is registered by either the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, or the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons.

Cost Between £2,000-£4,500.

Plastic surgeon's verdict “I think there are more sophisticated forms of liposuction than this. Vaser liposelection uses ultrasound technology to discriminate between fat cells and surrounding tissues, resulting in the exclusive removal of fat cells, with minimal damage to surrounding tissues,” says Dr Maurizio Viel, from the London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery, www.lcas.com .

Trick or treatment? “Most new liposuction technology is aimed at minimising trauma, using vibrational techniques,” says Lorna Jackson, the editor of www.consultingroom.com , the UK's largest information website on cosmetic surgery. So water may be a blunt tool in comparison.

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