Laser and ultrasound assisted liposuction, like traditional liposuction aren’t a weight control method or a fix for obesity. They are used to help contour your body in those areas that are not responsive to diet and exercise such as saddlebags or a paunchy stomach. Also like traditional liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction is most often used to reduce fullness in your: Abdomen Ankles Arms Buttocks Cheeks Chin Hips Knees Neck Thighs Upper arms Waist Traditional liposuction, one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery typically starts with the administration of some form of anesthesia including local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia accompanied with the infusion of a saline solution into the area of the body where liposuction will be performed. The solution contains medication to minimize pain and bleeding. Then, a small hollow tube attached to a vacuum is inserted through a small incision into the fat layer beneath the skin. It’s moved around to break up the fat, which is then sucked out of the body. Laser assisted liposuction takes advantage of the power and technology associated with medical laser beams to liquefy the fat which is then sucked out of the area.
Ultrasound assisted liposuction uses a special cannula that vibrates very rapidly and gives off ultrasound energy. As the cannula passes through the fat cells, that energy liquefies the fat cells, which are then suctioned out. The ultrasound can be administered either above the skin (with a special emitter) or below the surface of the skin (with an ultrasound cannula). Medical devices are used for a variety of medical procedures, but only certain devices are FDA approved or cleared for liposuction. Before considering laser or ultrasound assisted liposuction, it is important to determine that the device being used is cleared by the FDA.
Liposuction surgery sculpts your body, eliminating unwanted pockets of exercise and diet-resistant fat from the buttocks, hips, love handles, saddlebags, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts (including male breasts), back, arms and neck. Liposuction is often combined with other procedures to create the desired shape and is one of the safest and most popular cosmetic procedures.
For certain individuals, diet and exercise will never get rid of stubborn pockets of fat. The following are some common reasons why you may want to consider liposuction:
You have a minimal amount of excess skin and good skin elasticity. Loss of skin elasticity with age can compromise liposuction results, but if your skin maintains elasticity, age alone is not a contraindication for liposuction surgery.
You have localized deposits of fat in your abdomen, arms, thighs and/or neck, which may be the result of heredity and do not disappear with exercise and diet.
You are physically fit, no more than 20 pounds’ overweight and your weight are If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight or even gain weight (for example, due to pregnancy), this is not the time to undergo liposuction.
Keep in mind that liposuction does not remove cellulite and cannot tighten loose skin. Your surgeon will be able to recommend other procedures to improve those conditions.
If you are in good general health and have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure.
Risks
Infection, asymmetry, the rippling of the skin, pigmentation changes (hypo/hyper), injury to the skin, fluid retention and/or excessive loss of blood and fluids.
Recovery
The patient usually returns to work after five to fourteen days. More strenuous activity may be resumed after two to four weeks. Full recovery from swelling and bruising may take one to six months depending upon the amount of fat that is removed and the areas that were treated.
