The Basics Of Ultrasonic Liposuction
The popularity of liposuction in the U.S. can not be denied but is it safe? Many prospective patients are opting for more advanced forms of liposuction which include ultrasonic liposuction and tumescent liposuction. If you are considering having this procedure you should be sure to ask the doctor what specific methods he will be using so that you can understand the risks.
Ultrasonic liposuction, otherwise known as ultrasonic-assisted liposuction or UAL, is an advanced procedure used by liposuction doctors to assist them in removing body fats more efficiently and effectively. Body shaping procedures like liposuction are as much an art as a science. By using this tool to assist in breaking up the fat cells the surgeon can remove more fat, more easily. Ultrasonic liposuction works by using “ultrasonic energy” to break up fat cells in certain areas and converting these unwanted fats into oil. The areas involved are usually the flanks, back, hips, upper abdomen and areas where you have had liposuction before. These areas have been found to be more complicated than others.
The Procedure Itself
Ultrasonic liposuction uses a generator. As with traditional liposuction a vacuum is involved but this one is specifically designed for this. Fatty areas are better identified by injecting them with tumescent fluids. Then, a canula with an ultrasonic probe is attached to the generator and suction vacuum. As the canula passes through the fat, the energy breaks down fat cells and converts them to oil. This oil will then blend with the tumescent fluids to form a mixture that can be easily sucked out through the canula.
Currently ultrasonic liposuction is not considered a replacement for traditional liposuction because in most cases the same outcome can be expected. It can be used in conjunction with traditional procedures because it can easily reduce or treat fats that have been difficult to remove using traditional liposuction.
What are the risks associated with Ultrasonic Liposuction?
There are more complications and risks associated with this procedure than with traditional liposuction. These include:
*Burning of the patient’s skin
*Possible scarring from the burns
*Blood Clots
*Injury to the sensory nerves
The use of ultrasonic energy for this purpose is new so many of the long term risks are not yet known. There have been some studies that have shown a relationship between exposure to ultrasound and damage to the peripheral nerves. More so in sensitive areas like the face and neck. The heat of given off by the procedure can burn as well as cause blood clots to form.
All the above said the use of ultrasonic liposuction is growing because it can help the surgeon remove more fat than traditional methods. The equipment costs more so the cost of ultrasonic liposuction is higher than traditional liposuction. It may be worth it particularly if you find you need a lot of fat removed in areas like the back and upper abdomen. The trouble areas that benefit from the use of ultrasonic liposuction are usually the ones men need done. Whether you are male or female the results may be worth the added risks.
Laser Liposuction-how it Works and Why the Laser Assisted Technique Improves Fat Removal, Skin Tightening, and Liposculpture
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:
• Loose Skin After Liposuction
• Contour Deformities-Skin Irregularities
• Prolonged Bruising
• 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 form the laser also tightens the skin, and closes many blood vessels, thus less bleeding.
Advantages of Laser Liposuction
• Skin Tightening!!!!!!!
• Liquefaction of Fat = Fewer Contour Deformities
• Uniform Skin Appearance after Liposuction
• Smaller Cannulae = Tiny Incision
• Much Less Traumatic
• Can Contour Visible Areas in Thinner Patients
• 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.
The 924nm and combined 924/975nm laser is used by the SlimLipo™ laser liposuction machine made by Palomar Medical™.
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-see photo below:
If you are obese and significantly over weight, you should lose weight first before liposuction.
For more information about laser liposuction with SlimLipo™ call 978-369-4499 or contact us by email.
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Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts
Read More about laser liposuction and laser body contouring techniques. Read our free newsletter to learn the latest techniques in aesthetics and plastic surgery. Read Save Your Face, Dr. Seckel’s book on how to prevent facial aging.
Abdominal Liposuction
The most popular cosmetic surgery today is liposuction and the body part most likely operated on is the stomach area. The stomach area is where most of your fat is stored especially if you start gaining weight and the fat in the stomach area that is the hardest to remove even through proper diet and exercise. Abdominal liposuction gives any gender a chance to attain a flat stomach and slimmer figure without the hassle of dieting and exercising.
If you have a loved one that had resorted to caesarian section to deliver her child chances are a bulge in might appear above where the cut was made. This fat formation is a common scenario to those who have undergone caesarian and cannot be removed through diet and exercise. If you wish to remove the fat formation liposuction is the only way to remove it. In most women the drastic increase in fat can happen if they are pregnant there are other drawbacks associated with it such as stretch marks.
If you have undergone drastic weight loss you can also have abdominal liposuction, since diet and exercise cannot quickly remove all the fat. If you want to quickly lose the remaining fat liposuction is the answer. Gender also plays a vital role on how fast we lose fat and where are fat is distributed
Excessive weight loss is another reason why liposuction may be considered, as diet and exercise cannot burn all the accumulated fat or tone it down. Men and women both gain weight in the abdominal area although it accumulates in different places within the area usually. These places make it hard to tone without the benefit of abdominal liposuction.
There are two kinds of fat in the abdominal area the superficial fat and deep tissue fat. The superficial fat cells are stored by your body in between the abdominals and the skin while the deep tissue fat is under the abdominal muscles and can be lethally dangerous if you were to attempt to have liposuction in that area.
The superficial fat is easier to remove or suck via liposuction but the deep tissue fat can only be removed through strict control of your diet and regular exercise. Liposuction is a procedure used to remove excess fat in the body although it cannot get rid of all the fat so that why you must be realistic about its result. Liposuction should not be viewed as a proper means to loss excess weight but a medical or cosmetic enhancement.
If you are interested in removing fats from other parts of your body you can consider having a facial liposuction which will remove fats in your face. Facial liposuction can make you look younger while abdominal liposuction can make your clothes look better on you and improve your overall physical appearance.