Liposuction Vs LipoDissolve - Which is Better?

Even though we are in the middle of the summer (or maybe because we are), you may have decided to get serious about getting rid of those unsightly fat areas that diet and exercise just won't. But with different methods of fat removal available, which one is right for you? It may be tempting to think that a non-surgical method such as LipoDissolve which offers low cost and no recovery time is best, but let's examine the facts first.

Traditional liposuction is still the gold standard to which all other methods of fat removal must be compared. Done through small incisions near where the fat is to be removed, a small thin hollow tube (cannula, about the width of a pencil or less)) is placed underand the dislodg the skin. By moving the cannula in and out repetitively, fat is broken loose and then vacuumed out. This is the preferred method among board certified plastic surgeons for removing larger amounts of fat tissue and has been used in the United States for almost thirty years.All liposuction today is done with the tumescent or wet technique which keeps blood loss to only about 1% of the total fat removed. Liposuctioned fat volumes removed today are kept around five or six liters in a single operation to keep the risk of complications low. Serious side effects with liposuction are very rare. The most common problem with liposuction is skin irregularities but this problem is kept limited when done by skilled and experienced hands. Very good results can be obtained in the neck, stomach, waistline, outer thighs, and knees. More modest results are seen in the arms, back, inner thighs, and buttocks.

Liposuction done with the aid of a laser, also known as Smart Lipo, is one of the newer FDA-approved types of liposuction. A laser is inserted through tiny incisions in the skin. When the laser is fired, it melts the fat purportably tightening the skin at the same time. Smart Lipo has not been proven to produce better results than traditional liposuction but may be an alternative for removing smaller fat areas. This is certainly the way it is currently being sold, particularly to non-plastic surgeons which make up a significant percent of the targeted market. Because the removed fat volume is more limited, serious side effects are unlikely. The real question in my mind is whether Smart Lipo can help perform smaller liposuction procedures under local anesthesia in the office setting. This is where it would offer an advantage over traditional liposuction.

Lipodissolve, also known as injection lipolysis, uses a mixture of emulsifying chemicals (lecithin and cholic acid) which are injected under the skin to the targeted fat areas. This is a non-FDA approved treatment method although in my experience has proven to be safe. I have not seen any of the complications that are widely reported. Lipodissolve is certainly not a replacement or alternative to liposuction. It is best viewed as a fat removal technique when any form of liposuction is a bigger solution than the problem justifies. It is done as a series of injection done in the office over three or four months.I have found that it works well for small fat areas in the neck, jowls, bra rolls, stomach, flanks, thighs, and knees. Small areas, no bigger than the size of a hand, is the concept of a treatable fat area. Liposuction, like all plastic surgery, is an issue of value...what result do you get for what you pay. It is also a great method to touch-up any excess areas of fat after a liposuction procedure.

Since liposuction and lipodissolve remove fat by different methods (mechanical vs. chemical), they are best used for differently-sized fat issues. Small areas may be taken down with LipoDissolve, larger areas require traditional liposuction.

Dr Barry Eppley, board-certified plastic surgeon of Indianapolis, operates a private practice at Clarian North and West Medical Centers in suburban Indianapolis. He writes a daily blogs on topics and trends in plastic surgery at http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com

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Laser Liposuction - Not All Machines Are Equal For Laser Liposculpture and Body Contouring

You are very lucky if you have waited until now to consider having liposuction, or liposculpture body contouring. The new laser liposuction techniques are a vast improvement over traditional methods. The new laser technology melts fat and tightens skin resulting in a much gentler liposculpture procedure and minimal loose hanging skin after liposuction.

Whether you have a double chin, tummy fat after childbirth, saddle bags, spare tire, or just little problem areas around the hips or thighs, the new laser assisted liposculpture and laser body contouring techniques may be what you are looking for.

Not all of the machines in use are the same. Some laser wavelengths, such as the 924nm and 924/975nm work much better than others. You need to understand which technology is best if you are considering laser liposuction.

Liposuction is the most commonly performed plastic surgery operation.

Problems Associated with Traditional Liposuction-Traditional liposuction is done by inserting a metal tube called a cannula beneath the skin into fat containing areas of the body. High pressure suction is applied and fat is suctioned out from under the skin. While the procedure works well, it is traumatic as the suction pulls out not only fat but also some of the connective tissue which holds the skin tight to the body. There are several problems which can occur after liposuction:

o Loose Skin After Liposuction
o Contour Deformities-Skin Irregularities
o Prolonged Bruising
o Difficult and Painful Recovery

How Laser Liposuction Works-During laser assisted liposuction, a very small laser fiber is inserted beneath the skin. Heat from the laser melts the fat into a thin liquid. The liquid fat is then more easily removed with very small cannulas usually only2-3 millimeters in diameter. The heat from the laser also tightens the skin, and closes many blood vessels, thus less bleeding.

Advantages of Laser Liposuction

o Skin Tightening!!!!!!!
o Liquefaction of Fat = Fewer Contour Deformities
o Uniform Skin Appearance after Liposuction
o Smaller Cannulae = Tiny Incision
o Much Less Traumatic
o Can Contour Visible Areas in Thinner Patients
o Excellent for Touch Ups after standard Liposuction

Which Laser is best for Liposuction?

There are several different machines available using several different laser wavelengths-the 924nm, combined 924/975nm, the 1064nm, and the 1308nm are the most popular.

I prefer the 924nm and combination 924/975nm laser because the 924nm is very selectively absorbed by fat tissue. The 924nm liquefies 3 times as much fat as some of the other wavelengths and is also more strongly absorbed by blood vessels, which helps reduce bleeding and bruising.

Are You A Candidate for Laser Liposuction?
If you are healthy, do not smoke, and have extra fat beneath your chin, around your tummy, on your hips, thighs, arms or knees, and are relatively fit and not obese, then you are likely an excellent candidate for laser liposuction. The younger you are the better your skin tightening will be after laser liposuction. I have, however, seen good skin tightening after laser liposuction in a 70 year old person.

If you are obese and significantly over weight, you should lose weight first before liposuction.

If you are considering laser liposuction you really need to know the facts and understand the technology. Once you do the advantages of the new 924nm and 924/975nm based laser liposuction technology are obvious-there is nothing else like it on the market.

See pictures of SlimLipo™ laser liposuction and laser body contouring results. Read my free newsletter on the newest aesthetic, non-surgical rejuvenation and plastic surgery techniques.

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